Conditions · FAQ
Who may need to avoid hormone therapy for menopause?
Short answer
Systemic menopause hormone therapy may not be appropriate if you have certain cancers, unexplained vaginal bleeding, liver disease, or a history of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack. Your age and time since menopause also matter. A licensed physician must review your full history before deciding whether to prescribe it.
Your health history matters when choosing menopause treatment. Systemic hormone therapy is generally not recommended for people with a history of certain hormone-sensitive cancers, blood clots, stroke, heart attack, or liver disease. Unexplained vaginal bleeding needs an evaluation before treatment is considered.
Tell your physician about your blood pressure, smoking, migraines, diabetes, and family history of cancer or blood clots. Also share all medicines and supplements. These details may affect the choice of medicine, dose, or route. Starting systemic therapy later in life or farther from menopause may carry greater risks.
Low-dose vaginal estrogen has different exposure and risk considerations from systemic therapy. Still, it requires an individual review. If you have a history of breast cancer, decisions may need input from your cancer care team.
A licensed physician in your state decides whether any hormone treatment is appropriate. Do not use someone else's prescription or change your dose on your own. Seek emergency care for chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, one-sided weakness, or trouble speaking.
Sources
Written by the Verra clinical team · Medical review pending
General information, not medical advice. If you're in crisis, call or text 988.