Menopause can bring significant changes for women, both physically and emotionally, largely due to falling estrogen levels. Many women experience symptoms like hot flashes, especially during perimenopause, the transitional phase before their final menstrual period. This stage can last several years, and it’s a time when estrogen levels can fluctuate wildly.
Hormone therapy is often considered an effective way to alleviate these menopause symptoms. However, a recent study highlights that the timing of starting hormone therapy can greatly influence long-term health outcomes. This study will be presented at The Menopause Society’s annual meeting in 2025.
A staggering number of women will face menopause symptoms at some point. One major finding from the new research, based on over 120 million patient records, is that women who begin estrogen therapy during perimenopause tend to have better long-term health. Specifically, those who took estrogen for at least ten years before menopause were found to have about a 60% lower risk of developing breast cancer, heart attacks, and strokes compared to those who started therapy after menopause or didn’t take any hormones at all.
Interestingly, women who began hormone therapy after menopause had some benefits, such as a slightly reduced likelihood of breast cancer and heart attack, but they faced a 4.9% higher stroke risk compared to those who never used estrogen therapy.
This evidence suggests that starting estrogen therapy earlier could be crucial for better long-term health outcomes, sparking a larger conversation about how to approach women’s health during menopause. Ify Chidi, the study’s lead author, emphasizes the significance of these findings, stating, “The goal of this study was to explore whether estrogen therapy could do more than relieve symptoms.” She believes understanding the effects of hormones through menopause can lead to improved quality of life for women.
Dr. Stephanie Faubion, medical director for The Menopause Society, adds that while observational studies like this one can have biases, such as healthy user bias, they still provide valuable insights. More research is required to delve deeper into the risks and benefits of hormone therapy, especially when started earlier in the transition.
The conversation around menopause and hormone therapy is evolving. In an age where women are encouraged to take control of their health, such insights can help guide choices that may lead to healthier futures.
For more in-depth information, check out the research published on [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/). Keeping informed is key in navigating menopause health.
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Estrogen, Therapy, Breast Cancer, Cancer, Healthcare, Heart, Heart Attack, Hormone, Menopause, OCT, Research, Stroke, Women's Health
