Risks of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): What Every Woman Should Know

Polina LeRoy
May 11
3 min read

For many women navigating perimenopause and menopause, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is often presented as the go-to solution for symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and mood swings. While HRT can offer relief for some, it’s important to understand the potential risks and limitations — especially if you’re someone seeking a more natural, root-cause approach to wellness.

What Is HRT?

Hormone Replacement Therapy involves supplementing the body with estrogen, progesterone, or both, to manage menopausal symptoms. While effective at reducing some discomfort, HRT does not address the underlying imbalances — it often masks symptoms rather than resolving the root cause.

The Risks of HRT Every Woman Should Know

1. Increased Risk of Certain Cancers

The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), a major long-term study, found that combined estrogen-progestin HRT significantly increased the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. The study also showed increased risks for endometrial and possibly ovarian cancer, depending on the type of HRT used. (1)

2. Blood Clots, Stroke, and Cardiovascular Risks

Oral forms of HRT can increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism, as well as stroke and heart disease, especially in women over 60 or those with pre-existing conditions. (2)(3)

Liver Overload and Hormone Processing Issues

The liver is responsible for metabolizing and eliminating excess hormones. When it's already burdened by stress, diet, or environmental toxins, adding external hormones can lead to poor clearance and hormone accumulation, contributing to estrogen dominance and worsening midlife symptoms. (4)

4. Temporary Relief — Not Long-Term Healing

While HRT may reduce symptoms like hot flashes, it doesn’t address the why. Hormonal shifts are part of the picture, but chronic inflammation, poor liver function, and adrenal exhaustion often underlie midlife symptoms. (5)

5. Emotional Numbness or Intuition Disconnection

Though anecdotal, many holistic practitioners and clients report a sense of emotional flattening or loss of bodily connection when using HRT. This could be due to the synthetic modulation of hormone rhythms that normally support emotional awareness and intuitive insight.

Note: While more research is needed in this area, emerging studies are exploring the impact of exogenous hormones on emotional regulation and interoception.

A Better Way: Supporting Your Body from the Inside Out

Instead of suppressing symptoms, holistic support focuses on rebalancing the systems that regulate hormones:

Liver support with proper liver cleanse, right foods, herbs, hydration.
Adrenal and nervous system healing through rest and stress relief.
Anti-inflammatory, nutrient-dense nutrition.
Emotional and energetic healing to clear stored patterns.

These approaches help the body regulate itself naturally — without risky side effects or hormone dependency.

10-day Gentle Liver Cleanse

June 1, 2025 at 7:00 AM – June 10, 2025 at 11:00 PM MDT|Online Event

Hormone Replacement Therapy may offer symptom relief — but it's not a cure. And for many women, the risks outweigh the benefits.

Your symptoms are not random. They are communication.

You don’t have to silence your body—you can support it.

Want to understand what’s really going on in your midlife body? Download my free Midlife Body Guide to decode your symptoms and discover what your body actually needs to heal from the inside out.

Sources:

Chlebowski, R. T., et al. (2010). Estrogen plus progestin and breast cancer incidence and mortality in postmenopausal women. JAMA, 304(15), 1684-1692.
Cushman, M., et al. (2004). Estrogen plus progestin and risk of venous thrombosis. JAMA, 292(13), 1573-1580.
Manson, J. E., et al. (2003). Estrogen therapy and coronary-artery calcification. New England Journal of Medicine, 349(6), 523-534.
Birnbaum, L. S., & Jung, P. (2011). From endocrine disruptors to hormone therapy: The evolving role of the liver in hormone metabolism. Toxicological Sciences, 124(2), 287–289.
Genazzani, A. R., et al. (2010). Hormone replacement therapy and the brain: an overview of neurobiological and clinical evidence. Menopause International, 16(1), 12-18.