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Does HRT cause cancer?

Posted , 9 users are following.

sakura26
sakura26

Several women posted on here that HRT killed their mothers via cancer. Is HRT unsafe? I'm considering a new thing called cylical hormone balancing where they try to mimic your natural hormone cycle vs. just giving you a static dose like traditional HRT. I hear different things all the time so don't get if HRT is deadly or not. I've also heard any risks there may be are more if you're in menopause vs. peri. Anyone have input or experience being safely on long-term HRT or hormones from peri on? Thanks.

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • Guest
    Guest sakura26

    Posted

    HRT has a black box warning. So yes, it can cause cancer.

    It's still not known whether bioidenticals are safer..

  • jessica60993
    jessica60993 sakura26

    Posted

    i was told by dr's if it runs in your family it puts you more at risk. so many women can't take it. however ive heard several women that have been on it for years with no problems. i think it depends on your body, genes, and overrall health.

    • sakura26
      sakura26 jessica60993

      Posted

      Thanks. I only know my grandmother had breast cancer but not until 86 so was more likely an age thing than hereditary and no one else in my family has had it. My older sister is on progesterone and my aunt took HRT for a while and both are fine. And like others my symptoms are so bad. And I'm technically not in menopause yet so thinking safer to try hormones now from what I've read while I'm still getting periods. Thanks all!

  • shylee
    shylee sakura26

    Posted

    hi sakura,

    As with any medications there are warnings and side effects and long term affects. There is a warning for HRT uses that there is a possible higher risk of cancer. they of course dont like to give it if family members have or had cancer. for me i felt i had no choice. my symptoms so severe i couldn't have survived long without quick action. I will say that medication i have been put on to stop the severe left sided burning and pain. head pressure, burning mouth and loss of use of my left arm though worked to give me back my life for the most part has now caused my liver to struggle functioning. so yes there are sometimes bad pay offs. if you can go natural perhaps it might be better for you.

    • sakura26
      sakura26 shylee

      Posted

      Thanks Shylee, I totally hear you. My anxiety symptoms are so awful and normal anxiety meds don't help that I am thinking of still trying cyclical to be able just to function.

    • tmpearce
      tmpearce shylee

      Posted

      Hi Shylee,

      Is the medication you are taking HRT in pill form? The reason I ask is that I am considering taking HRT, estrogen only as I dont have a uterus. I read that taking it in a gel or cream form doesn't affect the liver because it is not processed through the liver as its absorbed through the skin. Whether there is truth in this, I don't know.....just wondering.

      Thanks,

      Tanya

    • shylee
      shylee tmpearce

      Posted

      Hi tmpearce,

      I am taking HRT patches. That means it to is absorbed through the skin and so doesn't affect the liver. Not that it helped me much as the other medication i am on has caused me liver issues. I think you are better off with patches or creams/gels

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