Menopause Significantly fewer women take hormone supplements

Fewer women take hormone supplements for menopausal symptoms

With every woman the menopause is noticeable differently. While one feels no symptoms at all, the other suffers severe symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep disturbances and mood swings. In the past, hormone supplements were often used. But in the meantime, significantly fewer women are taking such resources.

Menopausal complaints reduce the quality of life

The list of menopausal symptoms is long: hot flashes and palpitations, sleep disturbances, depressive moods, dryness and infections of the vagina and urinary tract disorders are just some of them. They all have a strong influence on the quality of life. In the past, however, hormones were often used. But then there was growing evidence that this therapy may be associated with health risks. Therefore, it is gratifying that it has now become known that now fewer women take hormone replacement products.

Menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and mood swings can affect the quality of life enormously. However, fewer and fewer women take hormone supplements for such complaints. (Picture: Picture-Factory / fotolia.com)

Fewer women take hormone supplements

As can be seen from the current health report of the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK), the proportion of women taking hormone products for menopausal symptoms is continuously decreasing.

According to a statement by the TC in 2017, only about one in every 15 working women between the ages of 45 and 65 was prescribed a hormone preparation by their doctor (6.6 percent)..

According to the figures, the number marks a new low.

In 2000, about one in three women (37 percent) had taken hormone replacement products to combat the side effects of menopause and to prevent osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.

In 2010, just under one in ten women was prescribed such a drug (9.6 percent).

Decline is due to scientific studies

As stated in the statement of the health insurance, the significant decrease is due to scientific studies.

Thus, for example, certain hormone preparations may increase the risk of breast cancer, stroke, myocardial infarction, thrombosis and also cardiovascular disease.

In addition, researchers from the US reported last year that hormone replacement therapies during menopause can cause hearing loss.

And earlier in a study showed that this treatment favors ovarian cancer.

Inform about alternatives

"Our results show that although the decline in prescriptions for hormone preparations has been lower in recent years, it is still continuing," says Wiebke Arps, who is responsible for health reporting at TK.

"We recommend that affected women carefully weigh the risks of hormone therapy with their doctor and seek information about alternatives."

In addition, health experts point out that menopausal symptoms in most affected women decline over time and eventually go away on their own. (Ad)