I do not feel that there is sufficient data to support a conclusion that hormone replacement will prevent progression from smoldering multiple myeloma to symptomatic multiple myeloma.
Hormone replacement therapy has many benefits but also some risks that have been highlighted by the Women's Health Initiative study. One benefit potentially is less post menopausal bone loss in women, which is also a concern in myeloma patients. So as long as your physician and you have an informed discussion as to the risks of HRT, then I think it is acceptable to use with smoldering myeloma.
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Re: Is hormone replacement therapy (estrogen) safe?
Thank you Cheryl G and Dr. Valent, I will discuss further with my primary care physician (advised to do the same from my multiple myeloma doc).
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heatherlib - Name: heather
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: may 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 52
Re: Is hormone replacement therapy (estrogen) safe?
This discussion is very interesting to me. I am 63 years old and was diagnosed with smoldering multiple myeloma in fall 2013. My disease has been relatively stable for the last year.
I took HRT for 6 years from age 55 to age 61 because of hot flashes that disrupted my sleep. I was advised to stop the HRT by my gynecologist toward the end of 2012 because he felt it was not a good idea to be on HRT indefinitely. Because strokes do run in my family, I also thought that it might be a good idea to stop it.
In Oct 2013, about a year after I discontinued the HRT, I was diagnosed with smoldering multiple myeloma. I have had a real struggle with hot flashes since stopping HRT. I have wondered if the severe hot flashes are part of the myeloma disease process in my particular case.
I have been able to lessen the symptoms some by using micronized progesterone cream applied to my forearms at bedtime. Possibly I should consider restarting the HRT, which was very effective for my symptoms.
I will need to give this some further thought, and talk with my doctors about it. Thanks to all for the thoughtful discussion about this topic.
I took HRT for 6 years from age 55 to age 61 because of hot flashes that disrupted my sleep. I was advised to stop the HRT by my gynecologist toward the end of 2012 because he felt it was not a good idea to be on HRT indefinitely. Because strokes do run in my family, I also thought that it might be a good idea to stop it.
In Oct 2013, about a year after I discontinued the HRT, I was diagnosed with smoldering multiple myeloma. I have had a real struggle with hot flashes since stopping HRT. I have wondered if the severe hot flashes are part of the myeloma disease process in my particular case.
I have been able to lessen the symptoms some by using micronized progesterone cream applied to my forearms at bedtime. Possibly I should consider restarting the HRT, which was very effective for my symptoms.
I will need to give this some further thought, and talk with my doctors about it. Thanks to all for the thoughtful discussion about this topic.
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ciro - Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: MGUS 2013, SMM Feb 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 62
Re: Is hormone replacement therapy (estrogen) safe?
Does anyone know of any new findings regarding this question? My non-myeloma doctor says that if I did not have multiple myeloma, he would definitely recommend me to take some kind of estrogen at my age (I am in menopause after tandem stem cell transplants). I will ask my multiple myeloma doctor about it when I see her next time, but I would be very happy for any additional thoughts or perspectives on this.
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Myosotis - Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 37
Re: Is hormone replacement therapy (estrogen) safe?
I know this is an old thread but I'll jump in. I am 39. I had my transplant at 32 and went into ovarian failure. I had a baby after fertility treatments, but then went into ovarian failure again (early menopause). I was referred to a special clinic for women who have POF. They strongly recommended I do HRT.
One issue is I already have osteopenia, and if it gets worse, I'd have osteoporosis at 40!
Another issue is new research shows early menopause can increase heart attack and stroke risks. So for me, those risks, which would be cumulative to the damage from high-dose chemo, and all the other treatment side effects were enough to convince me. I am on a birth control patch for HRT.
It works well; since it is topical, I don't get side effects like you get from the pill. No more hot flashes!
One issue is I already have osteopenia, and if it gets worse, I'd have osteoporosis at 40!
Another issue is new research shows early menopause can increase heart attack and stroke risks. So for me, those risks, which would be cumulative to the damage from high-dose chemo, and all the other treatment side effects were enough to convince me. I am on a birth control patch for HRT.
It works well; since it is topical, I don't get side effects like you get from the pill. No more hot flashes!
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lys2012 - Name: Alyssa
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2010, Toronto, Canada
- Age at diagnosis: 32
Re: Is hormone replacement therapy (estrogen) safe?
Thank you so much for your reply, lys2012, it is just that kind of considerations and personal experiences I was looking for.
I have read your story elsewhere on this forum, and want to thank you for sharing it. It is absolutely amazing that you had a baby, and it really makes me smile, both because you took the decision to try, and because you succeeded
I have read your story elsewhere on this forum, and want to thank you for sharing it. It is absolutely amazing that you had a baby, and it really makes me smile, both because you took the decision to try, and because you succeeded
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Myosotis - Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 37
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