For females with a uterus, HT involves the hormones estrogen and progestin. Women who don’t have a uterus anymore use estrogen alone.
Most of the estrogen prescribed is bioidentical estradiol and is delivered through the skin. HT can be very effective at relieving moderate to severe menopausal symptoms and preventing hip fractures.
However, HT isn’t for everybody. A doctor will perform an individual risk assessment and counsel you on ways to reduce the risk of blood clots, heart attack, stroke, breast cancer, and gallbladder disease, which can be associated with HT.
You should not take HT if you:
• Think you are pregnant;
• Have undiagnosed vaginal bleeding;
• Have had breast cancer or uterine cancer;
• Have had a stroke or heart attack;
• Have had blood clots;
• Have liver disease or heart disease.
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