*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature L: Laxatives.

Who Can And Cannot Take Continuous Combined Hrt

Who can take continuous combined HRT

If you still have a womb and have not had a period for a year (post-menopause) you can usually take continuous combined HRT.

If you've had a hysterectomy to remove your womb, you can usually take oestrogen without progestogen.

Continuous combined HRT is not suitable for everyone. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor before taking it if you:

have ever had an allergic reaction to oestrogen or progestogen, or any other medicine
have ever had breast cancer, are having tests for breast cancer, or are considered high risk due to family history
have a type of cancer that is sensitive to oestrogens, such as cancer of the womb lining (endometrium), or if you're having tests for this
have thickening of the lining of the womb (endometrial hyperplasia) which has not been treated
have any unexplained vaginal bleeding
have ever had a blood clot in a vein (thrombosis), such as in your legs (DVT - deep vein thrombosis) or your lungs (pulmonary embolism)
have problems with your blood which increases the likelihood of developing a blood clot (thrombosis)
have ever had liver disease and your liver function tests are not back to normal
have or recently had a condition caused by blood clots in the arteries, such as a heart attack, stroke or angina
have a rare inherited condition called porphyria
are pregnant or breastfeeding
have high blood pressure (hypertension)
have diabetes
have an underactive thyroid
have ever had migraines or severe headaches
have lupus
have epilepsy
have asthma
are very obese
have dementia

If you get any of these conditions after you start taking continuous combined HRT, stop taking it and speak to your doctor.

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature L: Laxatives. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
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