Final answer:
Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) can help alleviate symptoms of menopause but may lead to serious side effects such as increased risks of breast cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and other conditions like stroke, blood clots, and certain cancers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Potentially Serious Medical Side Effects of Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT)
The use of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), previously known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), has been observed to alleviate symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes and osteoporosis. However, certain forms of MHT have been linked to several potentially serious medical side effects. Notable among these are an increased risk of breast cancer, especially in those taking estrogen-only therapy, as was identified in the prematurely terminated Women's Health Initiative study of 2002. This study also anticipated, but did not achieve, positive effects on cardiovascular disease in estrogen-only patients.
Beyond these, the side effects associated with certain forms of hormone therapy include an increased risk of stroke or heart attack, blood clots, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, gall bladder disease, and potentially dementia. Given these risks, many doctors remain hesitant to recommend MHT, and when it is used, it is typically prescribed at the lowest effective dose and for the shortest duration necessary. Regular check-ups, including pelvic and breast exams, are also suggested for those undergoing MHT.