Hormone Replacement Therapy E4 Women

[Maddog13]

I'm not sure if one can conclude that using HRT "causes" dense breast tissue; the fact is that as we age, for many of us our breast tissue simply gets more dense regardless. My mother is a small asian women who was never on hormones and her breast tissue is extremely dense. She did eventually get stage one breast cancer in her 60s, but it was removed and she's been fine cancer-wise (though she did develop alzheimers in her 70s).
The big "problem" nowadays is that oncologists are in the dark ages with regards to HRT and hang on to the flawed Women's Health Initiative Study as their basis for what they believe about HRT. I suppose we can't expect oncologists to be experts on menopause just like we don't expect our gynecologists to be experts on cancer. But it angers me that most oncologists tell their patients that they absolutely cannot and should not be on HRT, and this is based on information that has now been determined to be flawed, not to mention the whole topic is not in their wheel house. How many thousands of women have suffered as a result?
The latest and most updated research shows that HRT is beneficial for most post menopausal women (there are of course exceptions) and may especially be beneficial for those who are APOE4. The number of alzheimers cases dramatically increases post-menopause...and what is the one thing that changes for women after menopause? Hormone levels... estrogen, progesterone, testoserone. One might conclude that maintaining those levels so they are more in line with pre-menopausal numbers may help offset disease.
There are no guarantees and research continues but I am happily using HRT and would be very worried if I were forced to go off of it.

[Lucy5]

A good time for me to weigh in here.
I've been on HRT for about 18 years (.05 transdermal patch and 100 mg prometrium nightly). I do have dense breasts and just recently requested that I have an MRI instead of the usual mammography plus ultrasound protocol. The MRI identified an area of concern (which other imaging did not!) and the following biopsy confirmed an early stage, very treatable cancer. I wanted to share my story for anyone out there with dense breasts evaluating various breast imaging options.
And btw, I am not suggesting that HRT itself caused my cancer; my Dr feels it was likely a random case of the immune system missing cancer cell(s) that slipped thru and took hold. My biggest hurdle now is that continuing with HRT protocols would likely fuel this cancer and I may have to discontinue it for some time. That's what worries me most!
Lucy5

[floramaria]

A good time for me to weigh in here.
I've been on HRT for about 18 years (.05 transdermal patch and 100 mg prometrium nightly). I do have dense breasts and just recently requested that I have an MRI instead of the usual mammography plus ultrasound protocol. The MRI identified an area of concern (which other imaging did not!) and the following biopsy confirmed an early stage, very treatable cancer. I wanted to share my story for anyone out there with dense breasts evaluating various breast imaging options.
And btw, I am not suggesting that HRT itself caused my cancer; my Dr feels it was likely a random case of the immune system missing cancer cell(s) that slipped thru and took hold. My biggest hurdle now is that continuing with HRT protocols would likely fuel this cancer and I may have to discontinue it for some time. That's what worries me most!
Lucy5

HI Lucy5, I just saw your post today. I appreciate your sharing the information about getting the MRI since every mammogram I get says that because of my dense breast tissue the results are inconclusive.
Wishing you all the best as you undergo treatment for your very treatable early stage cancer.

[Lucy5]

Thank you Floramaria! Yes, I am so grateful that my Dr was more than willing to order an MRI for me. When she saw the result she congratulated me for following my instincts. I feel so lucky to have a caring Dr!

[Lucy5]

Btw, I am very disappointed that I have to stop HRT now, of course. I read a study recently suggesting cycling prometrium might be the safer way to go vs a daily 100 mg dose. I cycled for years before my Dr indicated a daily dose carried no additional risk. I think the answer here is whatever protocol you choose, keep an eye out for new studies providing updated risk assessments.