Hormone Replacement Therapy for Menopause Benefits V. Risks

What is Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Hormone Replacement Therapy is a medication that contains female hormones. You take the medication to replace the estrogen or other hormones that your body diminishes during menopause. It is a natural replacement to ease your menopause symptoms and make you feel as you did when you were pre-menopausal. It is a great way to regain ones youth.

How does Hormone Replacement Therapy work?

Hormone Replacement Therapy works by replacing the hormones your body loses with menopause. There are different types of hormone therapies you can take, and they come in a variety of forms such as patches or creams. Also, you can receive hormone replacement therapy by injection which is the highest way to receive the dose. It usually takes some time for the hormones to take effect on your body, and as time goes on you will see if it works for you, if not the dosage can be changed or the type of hormone therapy, meaning estrogen or progestin or any other missing hormone.

What are the Risks?

In some clinical studies, hormone replacement therapy can potentially increase heart disease, strokes, blood clots, and/ or increase chances of developing breast cancer in certain individuals, thankfully though it was shown that it is rare and can vary greatly based on many factors.

The first, factor is age. It was found that women who start hormone therapy at age 60 or older or more than 10 years from the onset of menopause are at greater risk of the above conditions, but if hormone therapy is started before the age of 60 or within 10 years of menopause, the benefits appear to outweigh the risks. Second, the type of hormone therapy, as mentioned, there are types of hormones. The type you use and/ or the dose can make the risks vary.

Thirdly, your health history. If your family or you have a history and/ or risk of developing cancer, heart disease, stroke, blood clots, liver disease, and osteoporosis, then these are important factors in determining whether hormone replacement therapy is right for you. If you already have a family history or yourself has with one of these medical conditions then also starting hormone replacement therapy may not be right for you, but as always discuss it with your doctor. Again, these risk factors vary greatly and are rare.

What are the Benefits?

On the plus side, many benefits have been studied from clinical trials on hormone replacement therapy for menopause. Hormone Replacement Therapy has been proven to help tremendously with hot flashes, vaginal dryness, night sweats, mood swings, and bone loss. Imagine not having to experience those uncomfortable hot flashes where you would wish you could just stick your whole body in the fridge. As well, vaginal dryness an uncomfortable side effect of menopause, that makes it uneasy for women to continue having a healthy and happy sex life.  

In addition, night sweats and mood swings can be diminished profoundly where you can feel like yourself again emotionally and not be uncomfortable and sweaty while you sleep. Thus, these benefits cause your sleep to improve, your sex life to improve, and your overall quality of life and happiness levels. Once you start feeling well, and younger you will be happier. 

Also, hormone replacement therapy can help with weight gain and help increase lean muscle mass. As your body starts menopause, the lower hormone levels make it harder to lose or keep your weight at a healthy level, something that is important as you age. If you want to feel good and look good then hormone therapy is perfect for you! 

How do I get Started?
The best way to get started is to speak with your doctor and make sure you qualify for hormone therapy and that your overall health is in good condition. As soon as menopause starts you can begin hormone therapy, and avoid those uncomfortable and not-so-pleasant menopausal symptoms.