When women reach the age of menopause, it is common for them to struggle with a number of health and body issues: such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and bone thinning. Fortunately, there is a treatment that can help women going through menopause avoid the more severe symptoms associated with this part of life. Through the use of hormone replacement therapy (also called menopausal hormone therapy), women can relieve uncomfortable symptoms and increase their overall wellness.
HOW CAN Hormone Replacement Therapy- HRT HELP?
Menopause can cause many uncomfortable and problematic symptoms, including:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Thinning of the bones
- Longer or shorter times between periods
- Tension and stress
- Vaginal dryness
- Sleeping problems/insomnia
- Anxiety
- Painful urination and/or sexual intercourse
According to the FDA, “For some women, many of these changes will go away over time without treatment.” However, hormone replacement therapy can help those individuals who encounter more severe symptoms during their menopause. Because some of these symptoms can become intense and even extremely unhealthy (for example, thinning of the bones can lead to osteoporosis), HRT is beneficial for women whose health is severely affected by their menopause.
According to The National Cancer Institute, a study on the effects HRT also found that women who took the treatment had a “one-third lower risk of colorectal cancer than women taking the placebo” and a “23 percent reduced risk of breast cancer.” This is another possible health benefit of HRT.
The Benefits Of Bioidentical Hormones
Bioidentical hormones are used in another type of HRT and are considered to be more natural. This is because the hormones they use are, as stated by Harvard Medical School, “identical in molecular structure to the hormones women make in their bodies.” These hormones are actually easier for doctors to track in the body, making the entire process more transparent and more easily monitored.
“Bioidentical estrogens and micronized progesterone are made into a range of products, many of which are FDA-approved and available with a prescription at your local drugstore.” Depending on your needs, you might decide to choose bioidentical hormones or regular hormones for your replacement therapy.
Am I In Need Of HRT?
Hormone replacement therapy can help you by lowering your chances of osteoporosis and other unhealthy or intense menopausal symptoms. However, the treatment does have a number of possible risks, which you should evaluate with your doctor before starting the treatment. According to the National Library of Medicine, “Each woman’s own risks can vary depending upon her health history and lifestyle.”
Once you and your doctor have decided that hormone replacement therapy could be right for you, it is important that you receive the smallest helpful dosage for the shortest period of time. Ask yourself the questions below to determine whether or not you should talk to your doctor about hormone replacement therapy.
- Are my menopausal symptoms making it difficult for me to live my daily life?
- Am I at risk of any severe health problems as a result of menopause?
- Have my symptoms lasted for a very long time—longer than 18 months?
- Am I constantly unhappy, tense, or anxious because of the symptoms caused by menopause?
- Are my menopausal symptoms more severe than those of other women I know?
If you answered yes to any of the questions above, you may want to check with your doctor to find out if hormone replacement therapy could be a beneficial treatment for you.
Seek HRT Treatment Now
There are many concerns a woman can encounter when going through menopause, but it is important that she understands her options for treatment and the steps she can take to ease her symptoms. Exercise, a healthy diet, and a doctor recommended regimen of hormone replacement therapy could be extremely beneficial to you and help you live healthier before, during, and after menopause. If you believe you may be a candidate for hormone replacement therapy, seek treatment today.