World Menopause Day is October 18th every year.
Menopause Hormone Therapy is the theme for 2024
It is easy to forget that 100% of 51% ofthe human population transitions through menopause which is thus a truly human condition! 51% of the population goes through menopause to some degree.
Coincidentally, an important scientific article has just been published [1] by 2 doctors at Monash University in Australia casting doubt on previous recommendations against the use of menopausal hormone therapy. I have included below a reference to my summary of this study [2] which makes it clear that these previous recommendations led to unjustified fears of the possible consequences of menopausal hormone therapy.
“just because it didn’t work then doesn’t mean it won’t work now. "
Throughout my life I have used style and fashion to remain seen. I crossed the menopause line at 52. I tried bio-identical hormone replacement therapy early in my journey. Bio-identical therapy as administered back then didn’t work for me so I stopped and have suffered in silence ever since. That was a battle that my body just could not take. I received no support and should have had better case management to find the optimal solution for me. Upon reaching my 59th year, I felt like I had no purpose.
I thus continued to suffer the effects of menopause. But just because it didn’t work then doesn’t mean it won’t work now. I needed someone who could adjust the therapy to my body.
An example of the health issues related to menopause concerns bone health and bone fractures. 1 in 2 women will have a fracture in their lifetimes. This can be a completely debilitating turn of events. According to [1], menopausal hormone therapy is useful for the prevention of bone loss and fragility fracture.
I was recently given an osteoporosis diagnosis from my doctor. This diagnosis and the 3 day workshop I attended through Osteoporosis Canada at CARE has made me reconsider my usual high levelof physical activity. It now seems likely that if I had been properly treated using hormone therapy I might not have osteoporosis now with its attendant curse of possible debilitating fracture.
I still suffer hot flashes, poor sleep and many other symptoms 14 years later. I really wish there had been the amount of information we are seeing today, back then. I would have been able to make more informed decisions regarding my menopause-related symptoms. I also would have expected my various doctors to know more about menopause issues and treatment options.
Recent information on the benefits of menopause hormone therapy including the study referred to [1] is life changing!I now have something that I can take to my GP to at least open the discussion regarding hormone therapy options even at my stage in life.
Currently, GenX women are leading this wave, re-examining the previous recommendations and prejudices. But we Boomers can lend our knowledge and experience to the conversation also.
Every body is different and everybody deserves an answer.
[1] Taylor, S., Davis, S., Is it time to revisit the recommendations for initiation of menopausal hormone therapy?, Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2024, https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(24)00270-5
[2] Livingston, C., Summary of [1] above, Oct 17, 2024 available on my website
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