Current:Home > StocksWhat are the signs you need hormone replacement therapy? And why it may matter for longevity.-InfoLens
What are the signs you need hormone replacement therapy? And why it may matter for longevity.
View Date:2024-12-23 12:07:12
Hormone replacement therapy could be a major key to unlocking health benefits for women going through menopause, according to new research.
A study published Aug. 29 in the journal JAMA Network Open looked at more than 100,000 women in the U.K. and found that those on hormone therapy seemed to biologically age slower than those not taking hormones.
"We found that postmenopausal women who historically received (hormone therapy) were biologically younger than those who did not receive HT, regardless of socioeconomic background," the authors wrote. "Our findings highlight the importance of emphasizing HT use in postmenopausal women to promote inclusive healthy aging."
It's a stark contrast from past research, which discouraged the use of hormone therapy for most women.
Could hormone therapy be the right treatment for you? Here's what medical experts want you to know.
What are the signs that you need hormone replacement therapy?
Hormone replacement therapy, also referred to as menopausal hormone therapy or just hormone therapy, is a treatment given to people assigned female at birth during perimenopause or menopause, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. During that time period, the hormones estrogen and progesterone fluctuate and then decrease, which can cause a host of side effects.
"We mostly go based on how they're feeling," gynecologist Karen Tang, M.D., tells USA TODAY of how doctors begin to assess whether someone may need external help navigating menopause symptoms. She points to symptoms such as "hot flashes, mood swings, difficulty sleeping, vaginal bladder symptoms like vaginal dryness, pain with sex and more frequent UTIs."
Why are doctors hesitant to prescribe HRT?
Previous research suggested hormone replacement therapy was riskier and that menopause symptoms weren't as bad, though mounting newer studies suggest otherwise. Still, there are some people who doctors would advise against getting hormone therapy: namely, those with breast cancer or certain cardiovascular issues.
More:Why some doctors shy away from hormone therapy for menopause – and what to know about risks
"Risk factors for that include things like cancer treatments: chemo and radiation," Tang says. "A lot of breast cancer patients go through early menopause. ... But for somebody who's in a more normal age range for menopause, if they're feeling fine and they're not having any noticeable or bothersome symptoms, we don't automatically give them hormones."
veryGood! (2)
Related
- Jason Kelce collaborates with Stevie Nicks for Christmas duet: Hear the song
- Olympics 3x3 basketball is a mess. How to fix it before the next Games.
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Lemon Drop
- American discus thrower Valarie Allman makes it back to back gold medals at Paris Games
- College Football Fix podcast addresses curious CFP rankings and previews Week 12
- Witnesses will tell a federal safety board about the blowout on a Boeing 737 Max earlier this year
- 2024 Olympics: Gymnast Laurie Hernandez Addresses Her Commentary After Surprising Beam Final
- Chic Desert Aunt Is the Latest Aesthetic Trend, Achieve the Boho Vibes with These Styles & Accessories
- 15 new movies you'll want to stream this holiday season, from 'Emilia Perez' to 'Maria'
- 2024 Olympics: Gymnast Ana Barbosu Speaks Out After Missing Medal Due to Jordan Chiles' Score Change
Ranking
- Why Amanda Seyfried Traded Living in Hollywood for Life on a Farm in Upstate New York
- Gabby Thomas leads trio of Americans advancing to 200 track final at Paris Olympics
- USA men's volleyball stays unbeaten with quarterfinal win over Brazil
- 'The Pairing' review: Casey McQuiston paints a deliciously steamy European paradise
- Some women are stockpiling Plan B and abortion pills. Here's what experts have to say.
- 2024 Olympics: Gymnast Carlos Yulo Wins Condo, Colonoscopies and Free Ramen for Life After Gold Medal
- 9 killed when an overloaded SUV flips into a canal in rural South Florida, authorities say
- Swollen ankles are a common problem. From compression socks to elevation, here's how to get rid of them.
Recommendation
-
John Robinson, former USC Trojans and Los Angeles Rams coach, dies at 89
-
What are the best tax advising companies? Help USA TODAY rank the top US firms
-
Zendaya and Robert Pattinson in Talks to Star in New Romance Movie
-
Tropical Storm Debby could prove just as dangerous as a major hurricane
-
South Carolina does not set a date for the next execution after requests for a holiday pause
-
Republican congressman who voted to impeach Trump fights to survive Washington primary
-
White Sox lose 21st straight game, tying AL record set by 1988 Baltimore Orioles, falling 5-1 to A’s
-
Olympics surfing winners today: Who won medals Monday in the 2024 Paris Games in Tahiti?