Women going through menopause often experience a variety of symptoms. Some of them are unpleasant, such as extreme mood swings, difficulty sleeping and migraines. Hormone replacement therapy might be a good solution, so it’s wise to ask your doctor about it.
What is Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Hormone replacement therapy or HRT is a hormone treatment that is prescribed by a doctor to replace the hormones a woman’s body no longer produces after menopause. As a woman goes through perimenopause, the time when the body goes through a transition that ultimately leads to menopause and the end of her reproductive cycle, it’s normal to have many symptoms. HRT can help to alleviate them by replacing the female hormones estrogen and progesterone.
Most HRT options include a combination of the two hormones, but there are options that only include estrogen. According to Oxford Online Pharmacy, estrogen is more effective at preventing the typical symptoms associated with menopause such as hot flashes, insomnia and vagina dryness. Meanwhile, progesterone is good for protecting against osteoporosis and some cancers.
Women who still have their uterus are often benefited more from taking HRT that includes both estrogen and progesterone. The combination therapy can help prevent a potential risk for uterine cancer. If a woman has undergone a hysterectomy, HRT that includes progesterone isn’t necessary as there is no risk of such cancer.
How Does Hormone Replacement Therapy Work?
HRT works by balancing out the typical symptoms of menopause or perimenopause. As women approach menopause, their bodies no longer produce the same levels of estrogen and progesterone. When hormonal levels fluctuate, it results in symptoms that are often very unpleasant. The following are common during this time:
- Difficulty sleeping or insomnia
- Hot flashes
- Vaginal dryness and pain or discomfort during sex
- Dry skin, eyes and mouth
- Mood swings
- Urinary urgency
- Night sweats
HRT patches and other methods can help to ease these symptoms by providing the body with estrogen and progesterone. They balance hormonal levels so that women can feel more like themselves.
Hormone replacement therapy works as the hormones go through the bloodstream in a systematic manner. In other words, it addresses all areas of the body that are affected.
Women who start taking hormone replacement therapy often begin at the onset of their symptoms. Treatment that includes a low dose of either estrogen or estrogen and progesterone – or progestin, a synthetic form of progesterone – is usually prescribed at first. If necessary, the dose can gradually be increased once the treatment begins to work.
What are the Benefits and Risks of HRT?
Hormone replacement therapy can ease the symptoms of menopause. Many women find that they have relief when they use HRT patches or other treatments. Although these symptoms typically pass after several years, many women prefer taking HRT to feel better during perimenopause and menopause.
Of course, HRT carries some risks like any medical treatment. Some types may increase the risk of breast cancer. However, many doctors believe the benefits outweigh the risks.
If you’re experiencing unpleasant menopausal symptoms, you might want to ask your doctor about HRT.
