Deconstructing Hormone Replacement Therapy Myths And Misconceptions
Depending on a person's source of information, whether from a friend, a family member, or an internet search, one may receive varying and conflicting information on a topic. Receiving the wrong information may be dangerous, especially if a person relies on the information to make a medical decision. Given that all medical decisions have to be informed decisions, a patient must always receive all the right and relevant information before undertaking any medical procedure. Therefore, everyone must always confirm any information one receives with a board-certified medical practitioner or a recognized and reputable source such as a trusted medical journal.
Hormone replacement therapy is probably one of the most misunderstood medical procedures out there. Every person hoping to undergo hormone replacement therapy should consider the following misconceptions before making an informed health decision. Below are a few of the most common myths about hormone replacement therapy.
Myth #1: Hormone Replacement Therapy Causes Cancer
The most common myth is that hormone replacement therapy induces cancer infections. The myth that hormone replacement therapy induces cancer is from previous flawed and debunked research. The correct medical stance is that hormone replacement therapy cannot cause cancer on its own. However, improper use of hormone replacement therapy, which results in a person taking excess hormones, increases a person's risk of developing cancer. It does not cause cancer in people who are otherwise healthy and have never had hormone-sensitive cancer. For safety purposes, all hormone replacement therapy should be supervised treatments from a licensed medical practitioner.
Myth #2: Women Past Menopause Cannot Benefit from Hormone Replacement Therapy
The belief that only young women who have not reached menopause can use hormone replacement therapy is flawed. The correct medical stance is that all women in need of hormone replacement therapy can benefit from a hormone replacement therapy session. Hormone imbalance and changes are common even after a woman has undergone some changes associated with menopause. As a result, hormone replacement therapy may be beneficial in treating any postmenopausal symptoms that a woman may experience. In the years following menopause, many women stop experiencing symptoms such as hot flashes. Women who have reached menopause, on the other hand, can experience unpleasant symptoms in the future due to lower estrogen levels. Thus, hormone replacement therapy helps women by treating both menopausal and postmenopausal symptoms.
Myth #3: Hormone Replacement Therapy Increases the Chances of Cardiac Disease
Some non-scientific studies have previously associated hormone replacement therapy with an elevated risk of heart failure in women. However, subsequent studies have found no such connection between hormone replacement therapy and an increased risk of a cardiac health problem. In reality, recent studies have shown that women who received estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy have a lower risk of developing heart disease.
To learn more, contact a resource that offers hormone replacement therapy.
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