The Facts About Hormone Replacement
Therapy
Hormone Replacement Therapy, or HRT, is
designed to replace the female sex hormones such as
oestrogen or progesterone that decline in the body during
menopause, causing various symptoms. Hormone Replacement
Therapy can be used to treat symptoms such as hot
flushes, night sweats and sleep problems, as well as
vaginal dryness.
Until around 2002, Hormone Replacement
Therapy was routinely prescribed to menopausal women in
the US. However, since 2002, studies have shown there are
many health risks associated with Hormone Replacement
Therapy that have made it a less popular
treatment.
What you can expect when you are having Hormone
Replacement Therapy
Depending on your situation you may be
prescribed combined oestrogen and progesterone treatment.
The progesterone protects against cancer of the uterus.
If you are being prescribed HRT after a hysterectomy you
may be offered oestrogen only treatment, and if the only
symptoms you are having relate to vaginal dryness, you
might be prescribed a oestrogen only cream to use in this
area.
Along with a decline in menopause
symptoms, you may find that Hormone Replacement Therapy
means you continue to have vaginal bleeding that
resembles a period, and other menstrual cycle related
symptoms such as PMS. Hormone Replacement Therapy can
also cause headaches, nausea and depression, so it is
important to be sure the benefits outweigh the
risks.
What are the benefits of Hormone Replacement
Therapy ?
In simple terms, Hormone Replacement Therapy can
treat most menopause
symptoms, and some post-menopause health issues,
because it restores the oestrogen and progesterone lost
during menopause. The following symptoms can be reduced
using HRT:
Common post-menopause diseases that can be
prevented or treated using Hormone Replacement Therapy
include:
What are the risks of Hormone Replacement
Therapy ?
A number of risks have been found for women
taking combined Hormone Replacement Therapy. It increases
the risk of the following health issues:
Women taking oestrogen only Hormone
Replacement Therapy are not at a higher risk of breast
cancer or heart disease, but they may require frequent
mammograms as their breast tissue will increase due to
the oestrogen therapy. They also have an increased risk
of having a stroke.
Should I begin or continue with Hormone
Replacement Therapy ?
While there are many
risks associated with Hormone Replacement Therapy, these
may be greatly reduced if HRT is only used for a short
period in the early stages of menopause, in the fifties,
and not continued into the sixties. For women who
experience moderate to severe hot flashes or other
menopausal symptoms the benefits of short-term therapy
often outweigh the potential risks.
All women on HRT should take the lowest
effective dose for the shortest amount of time needed to
treat their symptoms. Make sure your doctor reviews your
treatment regularly, and considers alternatives such as
an oestrogen cream, patch or ring rather than a
pill.
Dr. Sharonne Hayes M.D., Cardiologist and
Director of the Women's Heart Clinic at Mayo Clinic,
Minn, suggests that you;
"Consider the reason you started
hormone replacement therapy and whether the reason
remains relevant. If you started hormone therapy for hot
flashes several years ago, you may no longer have hot
flashes and could stop taking the
drug."
The only women who should definitely not
consider Hormone Replacement Therapy are those with
breast cancer or a history of blood clots.
Other
Topics.....
Menopause
Symptoms
What is
Menopause
Male
Menopause
Perimenopause
Surgical
Menopause
Menopause Relief
Bleeding after
Menopause
Menopause
Supplement
Menopause Treatment
Herbs for
Menopause
Early
Menopause
Menopause and High Blood Pressure
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