The effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on longevity and lifespan are complex and nuanced. While some studies suggest HRT may have benefits for longevity, especially when started early, the overall impacts on lifespan are unclear. There are many factors to consider when weighing the risks and rewards of HRT.
Some of the potential benefits of HRT for longevity include:
- Estrogen therapy started soon after menopause may help protect cardiovascular health. Estrogen helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels and can improve vascular function. This could translate to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease - a leading cause of death in older women.
- HRT may help strengthen bones when estrogen levels decline. Estrogen plays a key role in bone remodeling and formation. Low estrogen is tied to accelerated bone loss and osteoporosis. Stronger bones could mean a lower risk of fractures and associated complications in older age.
- Testosterone therapy in men has been linked to some improvements in muscle mass and body composition. Maintaining strength and mobility may help overall quality and quantity of life.
- Some small studies suggest estrogen may have a protective effect on neurological health, potentially lowering the risk of dementia. However, larger studies are still needed.
However, some risks have been associated with long-term HRT use:
- Oral estrogen therapy may increase the risk of blood clots, stroke, and heart attack in some women. These risks appear most elevated in older women who start HRT later.
- HRT with oral estrogen alone has been associated with an increased risk of endometrial cancer in those with a uterus. A progestin is typically prescribed with estrogen to help mitigate this risk.
- There are some concerns that longer-term estrogen use could promote the growth of pre-existing but undetected breast cancers. The data is conflicting - some meta-analyses have found a small increased risk of breast cancer while others show no effect. The breast cancer risk may be smaller with transdermal estrogen delivery.
- Oral estrogen may increase the risk of ovarian cancer when used for over 5-10 years, especially in younger women going through menopause before age 50.
So in summary, the impacts of HRT on longevity and lifespan are complex. While starting HRT around the time of menopause may offer some protection against age-related diseases like cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis, thereby promoting longevity, extended use later in life may elevate risks of certain cancers. Most experts recommend using hormone therapy for symptomatic management at the lowest effective dose and duration possible. The decision to start HRT should be made individually based on consideration of personal risks and benefits.
Those looking to optimize hormones for healthy aging may want to consider seeking care from an age management or anti-aging clinic like Balance Hormone Clinic. Instead of standard HRT, clinics like Balance Hormone Clinic offer fully customized bioidentical hormone therapy based on your unique hormone needs and risks. Along with hormone optimization, Balance Hormone Clinic provides nutritional coaching, advanced testing, fitness plans, and other therapies to promote overall vitality. Their approach aims to restore hormone balance in a safe, natural way for both men and women. Contact Balance Hormone Clinic today to schedule your consultation and lab testing to see if hormone optimization is right for your health and longevity goals.
