Trapped Into Taking Hormone Therapy

Millions of women are feeling deceived and dismayed. For decades they were told that hormone replacement therapy was good for them.
Not only did it relieve hot flashes, but doctors insisted that HRT would protect them from osteoporosis, heart attacks and maybe even Alzheimer’s disease. There were rumors that estrogen might keep skin looking youthful, wrinkle-free and “feminine forever.”
Then last summer, researchers for the Women’s Health Initiative announced that they had stopped one part of their study early. The risks of Prempro outweighed its benefits, they found. Instead of protecting women from heart disease, HRT actually made them more susceptible.
Since that stunning announcement, lots of women have stopped taking their hormones-or, at least, they’ve tried. A great many of them are now back on HRT and feeling conflicted.
One reader confessed: “I took Premarin for over 17 years and frequently discussed its advantages and disadvantages with my physician. Each time I was told not to worry about the disadvantages, but be thankful that estrogen helped with bone density and heart attacks.
“When I heard of the side effects discovered through the study, my doctor reluctantly agreed that I should discontinue HRT. I have been having hot flashes, night sweats and mood swings for months now. I had hoped these problems would cease, but so far they haven’t. I haven’t slept well at night since discontinuing Premarin and I have all the symptoms associated with change of life. I am desperate for relief.”
Another reader wasn’t able to stand the symptoms of going off estrogen: “I am a long term (15 years) user who wants to stop but am plagued with sleeplessness and hot flashes. I also have high blood pressure and the doctor cannot seem to find a medication to reduce it. I suspect estrogen affects this, so I want to get off but I can’t.”
Stopping HRT abruptly makes some women so uncomfortable that they go right back on, even though they are at increased risk for breast cancer, heart attacks and strokes. Despite the perception that hormones ease a wide range of symptoms from mood swings to wrinkles, the new data suggest that HRT alleviates hot flashes and night sweats. Period. There were no other significant differences in health-related quality of life. Women taking hormones did not have more satisfying sex lives, better emotional stability or keener memories.
But what’s a woman to do? Anyone experiencing estrogen-withdrawal hot flashes at 76 is liable to feel discouraged. Vaginal dryness can also be aggravating.
Some women find it helps to taper the dose of estrogen gradually over months. Others turn to remedies such as black cohosh, vitamin E and soy.
Antidepressants such as Zoloft, Prozac or Paxil can also tame hot flashes.
For more information about benefits and risks of hormones and non-drug alternatives, we have Guides to Estrogen and Female Sexuality for readers of this column. Anyone who would like copies, please send $3 in check or money order with a long (no. 10) stamped (60 cents), self-addressed envelope: Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy, No.WZ-492, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.