Menopuase Hormone Replacement – Estrogen Replacement Therapy
Among the many treatment options for menopause, perhaps it is menopause hormone replacement therapy (HRT) that fares as the most common. Find out how one can benefit from this form of treatment, as well as the risks that it entails.
During menopause, the levels of estrogen and progesterone decrease. It is a common rationale that as the aging process progresses, there are a lot of alterations in body functions such as the case of the hormones. Menopause hormone replacement therapy supplements the depleted hormonal levels to keep the symptoms from deteriorating.
Hormones are very essential to the body because it maintains the natural functioning of body organs. Any excess or shortage shall render body systems to function in a not so normal manner. The eventual decrease of estrogen and progesterone will result into a domino effect such as improper calcium absorption and vaginal dryness. This could then account for the other consequences of menopause such as osteoporosis, vaginal itchiness and the intimacy issues.
With menopause hormone replacement therapy, the usual functions that might require the estrogen and progesterone are somehow maintained, although not as normal as it could possibly get. It could at least reduce the likeliness of osteoporosis as estrogen has a direct effect on calcium absorption. Likewise, intercourse would still be as pleasurable as it used to be because the vaginal dryness is somehow compensated for.
But then again, despite the numerous benefits of menopause hormone replacement therapy, risks are not far from being possible. As with any form of treatment or medication, indeed, there are risks.
Although still unsupported by substantial medical research, some studies conducted revealed that long term use of estrogen-progestin may also increase the risk of having heart disease, especially in older women. However, a rather contradicting finding is that HRT could also possibly decrease the risk in younger women. It would be best to seek the advice of your medical provider regarding this matter.
Other risks associated with menopause hormone replacement therapy are increased incidences of stroke, blood clots and endometrial cancer, the latter particularly referring to women who are taking estrogen but not progesterone.
Not every menopausal woman is advised to undergo HRT. There are of course contraindications, such as those with a current case or history of breast or endometrial cancer, blood clots, liver disease or stroke. Women who are also expecting should not be taking menopause hormone replacement therapy. Active cigarette smokers contemplating on this form of treatment should quit the habit prior to embarking on their HRT journey.
Among the most common side effects of HRT are irregular spotting, breast tenderness and monthly episodes of bleeding. Fluid retention, migraines, dizziness and skin discolorations are less common.
If one is considering menopause hormone replacement therapy as a probable solution to mitigating her symptoms, set an appointment with your regular medical provider and discuss your current situation. He could properly answer any queries associated with HRT. Be honest about your current state and be open to whatever he would advise. Do not try to conceal any information as it could prove to be detrimental in the long run.