What about taking HRT to help prevent osteoporosis?
A few years ago HRT was widely used to prevent osteoporosis. However, recent research has shown that there are potential serious health risks with taking HRT (described above). So, we now know that the balance of risks and benefits is usually not in favour of taking HRT to prevent osteoporosis for most women.
However, if you have an early menopause, HRT may be advised until you are aged 50. This is to help to prevent osteoporosis (and ease menopausal symptoms if they occur). You have an increased risk of developing osteoporosis if you have an early menopause. The health risks of taking HRT are not thought to apply, or be very small, until you reach the usual age of menopause (about aged 50).
Some other points about HRT
- HRT does not act as a contraceptive. Therefore, if you are still having periods when you start HRT, or have only recently stopped having periods, you should still use contraception. Your doctor will advise when you no longer need to use contraception.
- You should not take HRT if you have severe liver disease, or cancer of the uterus or breast.
- If you have had a previous blood clot in a vein, or have a family history of a blood clotting problem, you may be advised not to take HRT until certain blood tests are checked.
More help and advice
- Quiz: Test your knowledge on the menopause
- Are you going through the menopause? Share experiences with other women in our Chat forums
- Read one woman's real life account of the menopause
- Want to know more about osetoporosis? We've got all the facts
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Get to more facts
- Menopause and HRT
- What is the menopause?
- What are the possible symptoms and problems of the menopause?
- Osteoporosis after the menopause
- What is HRT (hormone replacement therapy)?
- What are the benefits of HRT? (hormone replacement therapy)?
- What are the risks in taking HRT?
- What are the risks in taking HRT (cont'd)
- What about side-effects when taking HRT?
Bobbie Thompson, 11 months [Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.]
I have been taking HRT for 14 years, I had a heart attack in '93 and it was prescribed after that, I don't remember any other symptoms,in 95 I had a complete hysterectomy and upped the dose of my HRT to alieviate my increasing symptoms (all classic) I have tried recently to reduce and stop my HRT but the headaches and night sweats after 5-6 weeks without taking any HRT have been very unpleasant and I have gone back on it, and have made an appointment with my GP to discuss further. Thanks for your helpful website.