Hormone Replacement Therapy: Benefits, Risks, and What to Expect

hormone replacement therapy

You have no idea if a woman is experiencing menopause. It states that for some women, the fact that they are no longer menstruating is the only indication they have experienced menopause. Menopause is life-altering for some. Hormone Replacement Therapy is a physician-prescribed medical treatment usually administered that replaces the hormones progesterone and estrogen to their previous levels. It prevents annoying menopause symptoms. 

It also states that a lot of women are not aware of the treatment, and some are afraid of the potential risks of hormone replacement therapy. At times, it is hard to persuade women to use hormone replacement therapy.

Women don’t need to endure midlife hormonal changes. They will tend to think that perimenopause symptoms and menopause, including hot flashes night sweats, and mood swings, are inevitable in middle age. It’s a rite of passage.

 

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How and When Is HRT Prescribed?

Doctors take into account the woman’s medical history before prescribing a specific type of HRT. Physicians prescribe HRT in the form of systemic medication, which is taken up by the body through the bloodstream. The most frequently prescribed medication is an oral tablet, topical cream or gel, or transdermal patches. Estrace, Menest Premarin, and Femtrace are some of the most widely used products. Blood tests can be used to establish hormone levels, but HRT is only ever given based on age and symptoms.

What Are the Side Effects of HRT?

After the body has adjusted, mild side effects may be experienced for the initial two to three months of HRT. Some of the potential side effects include bloating, breast tenderness, and headaches. The study done in error and misreported resulted in the identification of other side effects, such as heart disease.

The Women’s Health Initiative, conducted between 1992 and 2002, is the origin of all the myths and fears surrounding hormone replacement therapy. The trial was cut short as the findings indicated that women taking HRT were at an increased risk of heart disease. These findings have been reevaluated more critically in recent times. Researchers have stated that the WHI study exaggerated the risks involved in hormone replacement therapy.

It was explained that the study design was defective and could not be applied to most women and that patients in the study were ill and older (late menopause stage, obese, high rate of smokers). 

 

5 Things You May Want Hormone Replacement Therapy

1. You Have Problems with Hot Flashes or Night Sweats

Women having night sweats make up approximately 75 percent of all symptoms during menopause. Sweating through your shirt during sleep is a lousy feeling, and it also doesn’t feel too healthy either. It stated that this will significantly affect your life if you wake up during the middle of the night or you are unable to sleep at night. If it is a long-term thing, this will negatively affect your health as well as your performance.

Hot flashes also occur in women during the day. This can undermine their self-esteem. It is explained that a person who has severe hot flashes will be so embarrassed that they won’t go on stage or seek employment. It emphasized that although hot flashes, night sweats, and other menopause symptoms may be inevitable, these should not be taken lightly.

 

hormone replacement therapy

 

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2. You Have Experienced a Shift in Your Mood like Depression or Anxiety

Since the hormone levels change, it can also lead to mood changes and mood swings.

There is considerable evidence that indicates mood disorders such as anxiety, and even depression can be felt during early and mid-menopause. Women might be wondering why they are feeling this way when nothing has changed. Well, it’s because you are not crazy. It’s because you have a whole different body than six months ago. If the mood swings are not triggered, levels of estrogen and progesterone may be at fault. Toss in other symptoms like sleeping issues and you have a whirlwind on the horizon. HRT will heighten these levels of hormones and symptoms of anxiety decrease.

 

3. Your Age Is Approximately 40

In the U.S., menopause typically happens at age 51. Symptoms can start decades or years beforehand. Women typically experience that their periods are heavier or irregular in their 40s because of fluctuating estrogen levels.

If you’re reading from a textbook, menopause is not a continuous period for a whole year. It described that menopause was actually a period of transition. It encourages women to sit down with their gynecologist and discuss in full detail what to expect when estrogen and progesterone levels decline. You can prepare yourself and be ready in advance before the symptoms become too strong. It is said that if you only go to your OB/GYN once a year, you’ll have warning signs before you need to return.

4. You Have Vaginal Pain or Dryness

It is said that most people think this is no big deal. Some will disagree with that. A healthy sex life can be a big part of a satisfying relationship, whether you are 30 years old, newlywed, or 65 years old. Painful sex is not unusual. Once again, the offender is estrogen. The vaginal lubrication and elasticity are kept intact by this hormone. Inflammation and vaginal wall dryness, as well as vaginal atrophy, can occur due to too low levels.

HRT may be employed to regain these tissues. HRT can usually be written for the body to ingest. Vaginal estradiol may be recommended for women who are not willing to accept vaginal dryness and pain. This puts the estrogen right where you need it and that can be very effective.

Local estrogen therapy is the name for drugs such as Vagifem. It is a lower dose than systemic therapy. Your gynecologist can make suggestions about which kind of delivery will best suit you.

5. You Are Worried about Illnesses Such as Alzheimer’s or Osteoporosis

It is not generally used as the initial treatment of osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s to use hormone replacement therapy. Through studies, it was discovered that it could be used to prevent them. It is thus an adjunct treatment for the prevention of both. Estrogen has an important function in bone. It controls bone metabolism by stimulating the activity of osteoblasts (the bone-building cells). It is possible that a decrease in estrogen can lead to a reduction in bone density. Postmenopausal women are at risk for Osteoporosis. This disease causes bone density to decrease, increasing the risk of fractures when performing simple movements such as bending over or coughing. A bone density test will reveal your risk.

 

hormone replacement therapy

 

Bottom Line!

If you’re having night sweats, anxiety, vaginal dryness, or are concerned about long-term health risks such as osteoporosis, HRT may be your salvation. Pick up the phone and call your doctor today and discuss your options and if HRT is right for you. You owe it to yourself to feel like the old you again—don’t wait to take the first step towards feeling great!

Call us today and make an appointment at Dvida Spa. We will walk you through a pain-free, non-surgical treatment that grants you mobility freedom, and a life without pain.

Reach out now to make an appointment today! Join a pain-free life at Dvida Med Spa.

 

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