Revised 8/26/02njm
DRAFT Letter to patients
The
July news release on the Women’s Health Initiative Study about Hormone Replace
Therapy (HRT) left many women unsure of their health choices.
Southcentral Foundation and Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium would like women to make an
appointment at the earliest date with their health care provider, to talk about
their health care options and decisions related to menopausal issues.
·
If HRT doesn't significantly improve the quality of your life you
should not use it. It would be helpful to keep a diary to monitor your health
and discuss with your health care provider.
Other risks of hormone
replacement therapy also discussed include:
Increased risk of cancer of
the uterus
May worsen diabetes
Not to be taken in
pregnancy, liver disease, stroke, breast cancer, uterine cancer,
Abnormal vagininal bleeding,
or blood clotting
Other side effects include:
Blood clots, nausea, abdominal. pain, breast tenderness, irregular bleeding,
headache, and hair loss among
others.
Talk to your health care
provider about your individual choices, risks and needs. Whether you have made the choice to begin,
continue or discontinue HRT, discuss the healthy lifestyle measures for women
in the middle years with the help of your provider.
Phone 729 ------- today, to book your appointment.