Doctors that provide hormone replacement treatment generally work with women experiencing symptoms of menopause. The goal is to protect the long-term health of their patients. However, there’s a lot more that must be considered. Hormone replacement therapy provides various medications that contain female hormones. The therapeutic process serves to replace what is no longer present so that a woman’s body functions more effectively. For instance, it can treat individuals suffering from vaginal discomfort, bone loss and hot flashes. It can also help a postmenopausal woman prevent fractures that are related to bone loss.
Notably, a doctor that’s treating a patient with hormone replacement will assess her condition and tailor the treatment accordingly. The doctor will make an initial assessment and reevaluate the situation at a later date to make any necessary adjustments based on the results. There are many benefits associated with receiving hormone replacement treatments, which are often tied to the type of treatment prescribed. For instance, systemic hormone therapy can be administered in a variety of ways, some of which are more effective than others. Here are examples of how a treatment might be administered:
- Pill
- Cream
- Gel
- Skin patch
There may be other options, but these are the most common methods used for administering systemic estrogen. There are instances when hormone replacement resolves frustrating issues associated with menopause, such as vaginal dryness. A significant benefit of this therapy is that it can lower the risk of heart disease and colon cancer, especially after menopause. It can also help with issues like osteoporosis.
If a doctor chooses to prescribe a low-dose treatment, it will likely be in the form of a tablet or cream. It’s important to note that low doses are not as effective with issues like night sweats, hot flashes or bone loss. It’s worth noting that there are some risks involved in hormone therapy, but this is something that a knowledgeable professional can help mitigate. For instance, sometimes the way in which the treatment is administered will be changed because of a negative reaction that may not occur when using a different method. The doctor will determine which method is likely to address your specific issue without any side effects. For instance, if a pill causes nausea, a topical treatment might work best. For some people, a skin patch is a better solution.
Key Considerations Regarding Hormone Replacement
When taking hormone replacement medication, or receiving treatment for any other condition, it’s important to minimize the amount of medication consumed. Doctors will generally endeavor to prescribe the lowest dose possible and for the shortest period of time necessary. While there may be a need to increase the dose and duration in which is taken, they will generally start off with the lowest prescription based on your specific situation. There are some instances when the complications a patient faces is severe and requires treatment for a longer period of time. If this is the case, your doctor will monitor the outcome of higher doses or a longer prescription timeframe.
When receiving hormone replacement therapy from a doctor, you must ensure consistent follow-up care. By visiting your doctor regularly, they can assess whether there are any new risks or issues that need to be addressed. The ownership of making sure treatments remain safe isn’t just on the doctor. Patients must also do their part, such as engaging in regular exercise, maintaining a healthy diet, managing stress and minimizing the amount of alcohol consumed. Ultimately, it’s important to prioritize your health and do what’s necessary to maximize the results.
Hormone replacement has been effective for many women, especially in recent years. Whether or not hormone replacement is right for you will depend on many factors that will be determined in collaboration with your doctor. There is constantly new insights being made available about hormone replacement, which is why it’s always good to speak remain in communication with your doctor. You can also seek out other healthcare professionals that have specialized expertise in this area. Even if you have tried a treatment in the past and it didn’t work out as planned, there’s a chance that new treatment exists. If not, you can simply try an option that was not previously considered.
If you’re interested in hormone replacement or you have questions about how it works, call us today. We have the knowledge and expertise to provide the support you need. Call us now at 205-352-9141.