Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a treatment option that helps balance progesterone and estrogen levels when you’re about to reach menopause. Medics recommend this treatment option because of its effectiveness in managing most menopausal symptoms. When you undergo HRT, some of the symptoms that will be relieved include hot flashes, sweating, and other symptoms relating to menopause. Also, it can be used to alleviate the risk of osteoporosis. There are types of HRT that contain both estrogen and progesterone. Others only contain estrogen or even testosterone.
The Uses of HRT
HRT helps to address different issues. Using the correct dosage and hormone combination depends on why the treatment option is being administered.
Menopause
Menopause is a condition that comes with age, and it cannot be termed an illness. Some people won’t require any treatment as they transition to menopause. However, some will experience distracting and troubling symptoms. Fortunately, different treatment approaches can help them.
During menopause, you may experience:
- Vaginal dryness
- Night sweats and hot flashes
- Urinary issues
- Bone thinning
- Sleep problems
- Thinning hair
- Irregular periods
- Mood changes
- Problems with memory and concentration
Hormone replacement therapy can help to manage all the symptoms listed above. Additionally, HRT can help in the following ways:
- Reduce the risk of heart attacks
- Improve muscle function
- Prevent skin aging
- Reducing the mortality among the young post-menopausal individuals Nonetheless, further research is being conducted to ascertain the claims above.
Additional Uses
The doctors can prescribe Hormone Replacement Therapy for the following:
- Low blood testosterone levels
- Birth control
- Prostate cancer
- Transitioning from the sex, you were assigned at birth
Menopause and Hormones
The estrogen and progesterone levels usually fluctuate monthly in females, leading to the menstrual cycle. The levels are bound to change throughout your lifetime.
Perimenopause
The progesterone and estrogen levels will fall in females above 40 years old; however, they will continue to menstruate with time. The periods will become irregular, and some of the symptoms you’ll experience include hot flashes. You can get pregnant during this period; however, the chances will reduce over time. Perimenopause can last up to seven years.
Menopause
It begins a year after you experience your last period. On average, you may start to experience menopause at 52 years. After menopause, if you want to get pregnant, you need medical assistance. People experience menopause differently; however, the common symptoms include mood changes and hot flashes.
Types of Hormone Therapy
There are two types of hormone therapy, and they include:
- Low-dose vaginal products- these products usually come in different forms, including tablets or cream. They help to minimize the estrogen amounts your body produces. Such products can only treat the urinary or vaginal symptoms you experience during menopause.
- Systemic hormone therapy- the systemic estrogen comes in the form of a skin patch, pills, spray, or cream. The estrogen dose is high, and your body will absorb it; this treatment option treats the common menopause symptoms. If your uterus is still intact, the doctor will prescribe estrogen with progesterone. The combination of hormones will be balanced well, or it will stimulate the lining of the uterus to grow, which will lead to endometrial cancer. If your uterus was removed during surgery, there is no need to take progesterone.
Who Benefits from Hormone Replacement Therapy
The following people can benefit from hormone therapy:
- Women who want to prevent bone fractures: the systemic estrogen will help to protect you from osteoporosis. Nonetheless, medics recommend bisphosphonates if you have bone-thinning disease. However, estrogen therapy will come in handy if you can’t tolerate other treatment options.
- Women experiencing early menopause: if your ovaries were removed surgically before you attained the age of 45 years and stopped having your periods prematurely, your body would have lower estrogen levels. Estrogen therapy will help to reduce the risk of different health conditions such as stroke and heart disease.
If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms relating to menopause and you’re ready to get started, contact us today via 205-352-9141.
