combination of things. An unusual feeling of depression. Constant forgetfulness. An irregular menstrual cycle. Lucy, a British woman in her early 40s, knew that something was wrong. Two years before she had been training at the gym five times a week. Now she could barely find the energy to exercise at all thanks to chronic insomnia, a new affliction. Her demeanour had shifted from one of cheeriness to constant anxiety. Her work and her home life were suffering as a result.
And yet doctors often encourage women to grin and bear it. Some suggest eating well and exercising more, which may ease the symptoms. Some prescribe antidepressants or anti-epileptics, which do not treat the cause of the problem. A cheap, effective alternative exists: hormone-replacement therapy . But as a result of misinformation and scaremongering, millions of women are missing out on it.
The hormonal changes of menopause also seem to make women age faster. They speed up cellular ageing by about 6%, when age is measured by the genetic changes in the blood. It is suspected that the insomnia associated with menopause could be causing this. Oestrogen is particularly important in maintaining the health of women’s hearts. Before menopause women have fewer heart attacks than men.
In 2002 the results of a large randomised trial conducted by America’s National Institutes of Health, known as the Women’s Health Initiative , were rushed into publication. It concluded that taking oestrogen with synthetic progesterone increased women’s risk of breast cancer, heart attacks, strokes and blood clots. Women were told that the dangers ofThis finding overturned decades of medical practice.
Lol because that’s a pretty high priority on the list Of important things to concern ourselves with...
I have been on HRT since menopause with no side effects except to make me feel better. It has been 20 years !
alllibertynews Exercise is better
'This eventually causes her ovaries to stop producing eggs and her periods to cease. ' My dear, ovaries don't produce eggs....
I bet you'll have thousands of transgender men/women going in for it. I don't even know how that'll work but I bet it happens.
I pushed for HRT years ago.. still wearing patch... while many of my counterpart flushed through their menopause.. I said no thanks
izzieven_
Ghana is the place to be this vacation 🇬🇭🌍 YearOftheReturn
More of The Economist talking about something that has nothing to do with economics!
10 out of 10 People Die
This reads like an ad instead of journalism
Bullshit!
In statistics books, this is listed as a case of ignoring variables. Anyway
I had breast cancer 18 years ago. I would say 80% of those I met who were being treated at the same time were ladies who thought HRT was to blame and 75% were dairy eating vegetarians. Maybe just coincidence but I don’t think much has changed in 18 years.
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Source: TheEconomist - 🏆 6. / 92 Read more »