This week I will address hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and the myth that HRT causes breast cancer. We will dive deep into what the current research says and provide a clear-cut answer to this misconception related to HRT. So let’s dive in! Let’s first address why one would be started on HRT. According to Woo and Robinson (2019), it “may be instituted any time there is a loss of the body’s ability to produce estrogen and progestin,” commonly seen in the menopausal female (p. 1151). At the time of menopause, women lose the ability to produce hormones which is why we would take HRT. This treatment consists of providing the individual with estrogen, progesterone, or both to aid in managing postmenopausal symptoms (Harper-Harrison & Shanahan, 2023). The Mayo Clinic (2022) shares that HRT aids in reducing common symptoms associated with menopause, which include hot flashes, night sweats, anxiety, mood changes, chills, dryness /itchiness /burning/discomfort with intercourse, joint
Let’s talk yoga! Yoga is one form of alternative medicine that can provide health benefits in more ways than one. It dates back thousands of years and continues to grow in popularity. According to Bennetts (2022), this form of alternative medicine has an “emphasis on the connection between mind, body and spirit” (p. 2). Yoga is a form of exercise that everyone can perform and is for all ages. It specifically focuses on positioning oneself in different positions that focus on postures, breathing, and meditation (NIH, 2021). Did you know that medical yoga or prescription yoga is a thing? “Medical yoga therapy, ideally, is an individualized, personalized and holistic approach that takes into account not only the patient’s mind, body and spirit, but also their family, support network, work situation, and culture, as part of the patient’s individualized treatment plan” (Stephens, 2017). This means for an individual with anxiety, breathing techniques or calming positions may be a primary f