What are the risks of HT?
You should not use estrogens and progestins to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, strokes or dementia (decline in memory and thinking skills). Using estrogens with progestins may increase your chances of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer and blood clots, and may increase your risk of dementia. You should not use a combination hormone therapy (with estrogen and progestin), like CombiPatch, if you have had your uterus removed (hysterectomy). Hormone therapy should not be used if you have unusual vaginal bleeding; currently have or have had certain cancers, including cancer of the breast or uterus; had a stroke or heart attack in the recent past (for example, in the past year); currently have or have had blood clots; currently have or have had liver problems; or think you may be, or know that you are, pregnant. The most common side effects that may occur are breast pain, vaginal bleeding and headache. You and your health care professional should talk regularly about whether
Known health risks are: • An increased risk of endometrial cancer (if a woman still has her uterus and is not taking progesterone along with estrogen) Possible health risks are: • Rare: Increased risk of breast cancer with long-term use (in women who take progestin-estrogen therapy) • Increased risk of gallbladder disease • Increased risk of blood clots (If they occur, they are more likely to appear within the first few months of use.
