What is oestrogen/hormone replacement therapy?
These therapies help relieve the uncomfortable symptoms associated with menopause and help protect against osteoporosis (bone disease associated with weakened bones and fractures) or other medical conditions associated with menopause. A doctor can help in the decision if and which replacement therapy should be taken.
Oestrogen replacement therapy (ERT) is oestrogen, taken usually in pill form. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is oestrogen therapy combined with progestin (another hormone) and used for women with an intact uterus. Those that have had an hysterectomy do not need progestin and can take ERT alone.
Can oral contraceptives do any harm?
Millions of women take birth control pills without complications. Yet all women should know that taking contraceptive pills could cause:
- High blood pressure
- Abnormal levels of blood fats
- Diabetes
- Blood clots
- Damage to artery walls
If a woman on contraceptives has other risk factors (such as an unhealthy diet, is overweight, inactive, smokes, has high blood pressure or high blood cholesterol) and especially if she smokes, her risk of developing blood clots and having a heart attack is increased, especially after the age of 35.
What about other protective factors of heart disease?
While the protective effect of HRT in the development of heart disease is still being debated, the effect of other factors such as changes in diet, exercise and smoking should not be forgotten.
Although the risk of a heart attack is highest for women after menopause, it is the early health habits that ultimately determine the risk. The major risk factors include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, lack of exercise and being diabetic. Waiting until menopause to do something about these is far too late.
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Teens-30 years old
