What are the risks of menopause hormone therapy?

Menopause hormone therapy does have risks. For some, menopause hormone therapy may increase the risk of:

• Heart disease.
• Stroke.
• Blood clots.
• Breast cancer.
• Gallbladder disease.
• Endometrial cancer.

Research suggests that these risks vary depending on:

• Age. If you start menopause hormone therapy at age 60 or older, or it has been more than 10 years since menopause, your risk of serious complications increases. But if you start menopause hormone therapy before age 60 or within 10 years of menopause, the benefits may outweigh the risks.
• Type of menopause hormone therapy. The risks of menopause hormone therapy depend on whether you take estrogen alone or with a progestogen. The dose and type of estrogen also can affect risk.
• Health history. Your personal medical history and risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke, blood clots, liver disease and osteoporosis also are factors that can affect the risks of menopause hormone therapy.

Talk with your healthcare professional about these risks when deciding if menopause hormone therapy might be an option for you.