Benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy
Menopause is the time in a woman’s life when her reproductive life arrives at its end and she can no longer get pregnant. Most women reach menopause between the ages of 45 and 55, but menopause can occur sooner or later than that. During menopause, a woman’s body produces much less estrogen and progesterone. Hormone replacement therapy is a procedure that replaces hormones that are below normal levels due to menopause. Some menopausal symptoms include night sweats, hot flushes, mood swings, vaginal dryness, and reduced sex drive. It can also cause weakening of the bones, or osteoporosis. Many of these symptoms of menopause can pass after some years of discomfort, but we recommend hormone replacement therapy to offer quicker relief. Give us a call at the Harley Institute to learn more about this procedure or read on for more information.
Procedure
During menopause, a woman’s ovaries produce very low levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Speak to your doctor to see if HRT may be right for you to relieve the symptoms such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness associated with this decrease in estrogen and progesterone. Menopausal hormone replacement therapy works by supplementing the ovary’s production of these hormones with lab-created hormones in order to bring these hormone levels back to normal. These dosages mainly come in the form of pills but can also be taken using patches. You can normally begin the process as soon as you start experiencing the symptoms of menopause. Your doctor will likely start you off with a low dosage and increase the dose as you progress. If he/she does not see any help, then they may recommend changing the type of hormone replacement therapy you’re taking. If you feel hormone replacement therapy may be for you then give us a call at the Harley Institute to schedule a consultation as soon as possible.
Who Should Avoid Hormone Replacement Therapy?
If you are experiencing the symptoms related to menopause, then hormone replacement therapy may be a good option for you. However, there are cases in which hormone replacement therapy may not be suitable. We discourage hormone replacement therapy if:
- You have a history of blood clotting
- You have a history of untreated high blood pressure
- You or your family have a history of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, or womb cancer
- You have a history of liver disease
- You are pregnant
We strongly recommend you speak to a doctor and explain your medical history before starting your procedure.
Benefits
As mentioned above, the primary benefit of hormone replacement therapy is the normalization of altered hormone levels due to menopause. Other benefits include:
- Increased elasticity of blood vessels to allow free blood flow
- Decreased risk of osteoporosis, or bone weakening
- Decreased risk of colon cancer
Risks and Side Effects
Hormone replacement therapy is not without risk. As mentioned, there are situations in which you should not go through the process. Consult with one of us at the Harley Institute with your doctor before making your decision. Risks and possible side effects of hormone replacement therapy include:
- Increased risk of endometrial cancer and breast cancer
- Increased risk of cardiovascular disease
- Increased risk of blood clots and stroke especially in the first year of use
The American Cancer Society recommends that women over the age of 50 perform breast self-examinations once a month, have a breast physical examination by their doctor once a year, and have a mammogram once a year.
Some Questions to Ask Your Doctor
- Is hormone replacement therapy right for me?
- What are the risks involved?
- How long will the process take?
- Is there a safer type for me?
- What are some symptoms that would require me to give you an emergency call?
The content on this page should not be construed as medical advice. Talk to your Physician to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject.
