I recognize the importance of women's health and well-being during the menopause transition. I offer a practical first-principal approach to perimenopause and menopause support. I use hormone therapy when appropriate to support my clients. Hormone therapy is an option I would like all women to be educated about. I offer longer visits and a comprehensive risk-benefit analysis for every client that I work with. My goal is to support you to feel confident in your options and planning for long-term success.
Hormone Therapy Benefits
Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
Vasomotor symptoms pose a significant risk to quality of life. This is the area that has by far the most evidence-based benefit for the use of MHT (Menopause Hormone Therapy)
Sleep Quality
If sleep is disturbed because of hot flashes and night sweats, MHT can have a significant benefit. In the absence of vasomotor symptoms, the evidence is unclear on the absolute benefit of MHT.
Mood Support
MHT can be an option for supporting mood changes during early perimenopause and is most effective when started earlier and taken for longer periods of time. Benefits are unclear when therapy is started postmenopause.
Cognition
MHT benefits those who have undergone surgical menopause at an earlier age. The evidence for support during the menopause transition is unclear.
Diabetes
Evidence suggests that those who start MHT have a 30% reduction in new-onset type 2 diabetes. However, MHT is not considered a treatment or prevention strategy for diabetes.
Bone Density and Fracture Risk
MHT has been shown to increase bone mineral density by 2-5%. Oral therapy can reduce the risk of fracture by up to 30% in those with osteopenia.
Colon Cancer
Those who took MHT had a 25% reduced incidence of colon cancer. MHT is not a prevention strategy for colon cancer.
All-Cause Mortality
Those who took MHT had a 30% reduced risk of death from all causes. This is not a life extension strategy but a benefit found by correlation.
Questions about hormone therapy?
The risks and benefits of hormone therapy need to be carefully weighed in the context of a therapeutic relationship.
One goal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) is to develop position statements and other reports about clinical issues pertinent to women at midlife and beyond.
These Fact Sheets list the major findings from SWAN on Bone Health, Memory and Cognition, Hot Flashes, Sleep, Depression, Urinary Incontinence, Sexual Functioning and Vaginal Health.
WHI strives to improve health through research on risk factors, prevention, and early detection of serious health conditions, so postmenopausal women thrive.
