From the recent studies, we have found that around 80% of women experience menopause symptoms between the age of 51 and 60. At that time, their ovaries are no longer able to produce estrogen. Hence, they stop menstruating.
Well, there are only a few women who take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) due to the risk associated with it. If you want to opt for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), then you must know the benefits and risk factors it carries.
What is Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Hormone Replacement Therapy or HRT is required to relieve the symptoms of menopause. This treatment can replace the hormones that become lower as you approach menopause. To alleviate the symptoms such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness, hormone replacement therapy is used. Hormones that are lost or no longer produced during menopause, such as estrogen or progesterone, can be replaced with HRT.
This therapy is sometimes also known as hormone therapy, menopausal hormone therapy, and estrogen replacement therapy for the effective treatment for menopause symptoms.
Benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy
HRT can help manage the symptoms given below:
Provide relief from moderate to severe hot flashes
This therapy is effective in providing relief from troublesome menopausal hot flashes and night sweats.
Alleviate the symptoms of menopause
HRT can ease the vaginal symptoms of menopause, like dryness, itching, burning, and discomfort during intercourse.
Prevents bone loss or fractures
It can help in protecting against the bone-thinning disease called osteoporosis. If one has and is not getting benefits from other treatments, estrogen therapy may help in that case.
Other Benefits
HRT also helps with the following conditions/problems that menopausal women face:
- Urinary problems
- Thinning hair
- Sleep disorders
- Mood changes
- Difficulties with concentration and memory
Menopause is a natural occurrence where a female steps into the next phase of life.
Risk Factors Associated with Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormone Replacement Therapy helps females get through menopause, but the treatment is not risk-free. The known health risks factors include:
Hip and vertebral fractures
Women who take estrogen or both estrogen and progestin have a higher risk of hip and vertebral fractures. The benefits start disappearing once you stop taking hormone therapy.
Vaginal bleeding
Females might face more bleeding while taking hormone therapy, which requires assessment by endometrial biopsy.
Urinary incontinence
Urinary incontinence is another problem that females who take estrogen alone or estrogen plus progestin face.
Dementia
Women aged 65 or older may have an increased risk of developing dementia after getting hormone therapy.
Stroke, blood clots, and heart attack
Women may suffer from stroke, blood clots, and heart attack in those who took either combined hormone therapy or estrogen alone. This can go back to normal once they stop taking the medication.
Breast cancer
After taking hormone therapy, some women may get breast cancer. On continuing with these therapies, the risk of breast cancer may increase but it decreases markedly when hormone use stopped.
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is another risk that can be seen due to the combined HRT. In case the disease does not get treated, it can cause death too.
Colorectal cancer
There is a risk of colorectal cancer or tumor. It disappeared after the study participants stopped taking combined hormone therapy medication. Women who took estrogen alone had the same risk of colorectal cancer.
Weight gain
Females are also worried about the weight gain that the hormone treatment can cause, but by eating a healthy diet, plenty of exercises can help manage the weight gain that commonly affects them.
Precautions that one can take
Firstly, consult a doctor about things you can do to make HRT less likely to cause issues. For best services or practitioners with years of experience, you can consult Revitalize You M.D.
- You can start HRT within 10 years of menopause or before age 60
- Take a low dosage that works for you in the shortest possible time
- If you still have your uterus, you can take progesterone or progestin
- You can ask for other forms of HRT besides pills, like patches, gels, mists, vaginal creams, vaginal suppositories, or vaginal rings
Who Shouldn’t opt for HRT
Females who suffer from the following diseases should avoid HRT:
- Breast cancer
- Endometrial (uterine) cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Unexplained vaginal bleeding
- Blood clots
- Stroke
- Liver disease
Final Words
Hormone Therapy is an approach to a variety of health issues. There are certain hormones or combinations of hormones that can help in managing the symptoms of menopause. Besides that, HRT is not suitable for everyone. One must ask the doctors and other healthcare providers to describe the risks and possible benefits before taking therapy.
Leave a Reply