You'll need medical advice on whether to start hormone therapy and how long to continue it. But it will be helpful if you yourself understand your risk factors for heart disease, osteporosis, and breast cancer. If you have multiple risk factors for heart disease and osteoporosis, you should strongly consider hormone therapy. On the other hand, if you have multiple risks for breast cancer, you should consider not taking it.

Growing older is, in and of itself, a risk factor for heart disease, osteporosis and breast cancer.

Heart Disease Risk Factors

Smoking

Family history of heart attack, stroke, and high blood pressure in close relatives

Elevated total blood cholesterol (above 240 mg/dl is 'high"; 200 to 239, "borderline-high"). HDL ("good") cholesterol below 35

Obesity

Distribution of body fat around the waist and abdomen rather than the hips

Sedentary life-style

High blood pressure (levels above 140/90)

Diabetes

Osteoporosis Risk Factors

Being of European or Asian origin. African-American women are at lower risk

Family history

Poor diet, especially one high in sodium and low in vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamine D and calcium

Sedentary life-style, especially the lack of weight-bearing exercise

Obesity

Smoking

Heavy alcohol use

Long-term use of certain medications, such as cortisone or thyroid hormones

Breast Cancer Risk Factors

A first-degree relative (mother or sister) with breast cancer

Early onset of menstruation (before 13) or late menopause (after 50)

Not having had children, or having a first child after 35

Not having breast fed

Obesity

A breast biopsy that suggested increased risk

5/29/98

From UC Berkeley Wellness Letter: Not intended to provide medical advice on personal health matters, which should be obtained directly from a physician.