Side effects of hormone therapy
Hormone therapy is a medicinal intervention in many natural processes. Since the risk of some diseases and side effects increases, this therapy should only be used in the case of severe symptoms and only for as long as absolutely necessary. The permanent stimulation of the uterus with estrogens can lead to degeneration of the tissue.
This can lead to cancer of the uterine lining. The risk of developing breast cancer or ovarian cancer also increases. Since the hormones also have an influence on the circulatory system, thromboses, strokes and heart attacks can occur.
Since these side effects are potentially life-threatening, hormone replacement therapy should only be used under certain conditions and in small doses. The probability of side effects increases with the duration of use. More common, but less serious, side effects are light bleeding, similar to menstruation, and a feeling of tightness in the chest.
An equally increased risk is observed in gallbladder diseases.In older women, the risk of developing dementia also increases. Studies have also shown that women who take hormone preparations are slightly more likely to develop and die of lung cancer. You can read more about the side effects of hormone replacement therapy here: Symptoms of cervical cancerAmong the short-term side effects of hormone replacement therapy are bleeding between periods.
These are similar to normal menstrual bleeding and pose no danger. The bleeding occurs because the hormones estrogen and progestin have an influence on the lining of the uterus. In addition, many women experience irregular menstrual bleeding during the menopause.
The intensity of the bleeding can also vary greatly. Therefore, bleeding is not always a side effect of the therapy. The rumor that hormone therapy leads to weight gain has been around for many years, but it is really only a rumor.
Many women gain weight during menopause and this is completely independent of hormone therapy. The body’s calorie requirement decreases with age and most people do not adapt their diet to the new metabolic situation, which leads to weight gain. Not only women are affected by this.
The extent to which the weight change occurs varies from individual to individual. Hair loss is a symptom that can have many causes. During the menopause, many women suffer from increased hair loss, independent of hormone therapy.
However, women with heavy inter-bleeding can suffer from anaemia due to iron deficiency. The body has difficulty compensating for the blood loss. The body needs iron to produce the oxygen transporter haemoglobin.
If there is a deficiency, body structures that are not as important as hair are less well supplied and the hair root is destroyed. This symptom is completely regressed as soon as the body has sufficient iron available again. The following article will continue on this topic: Hair loss in womenThere are some cells in the breast and uterus that have docking sites for estrogens.
These docking sites lead to growth stimulation when they come into contact with estrogens. If stimulated by hormone therapy for a long time, the cells can grow and change uncontrollably. These changes can even lead to cancer.
Especially if breast cancer therapy has already been overcome, hormone therapy can cause the tumor to return. Regular check-ups are important and the gynaecologist must be informed about the medical history of the woman concerned. You can read more about this clinical picture in the following article: How to recognize breast cancer?
