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What is Hormone Replacement Therapy? Is Hormone Replacement Therapy Safe?

Women in menopause often experience issues such as hot flashes, insomnia, and osteoporosis more frequently. Many women choose to use Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). So, what exactly is Hormone Replacement Therapy? Is Hormone Replacement Therapy safe, and when should it be used? Join Premium Therapy to explore these questions in the article below.

What is Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Hormone Replacement Therapy is a method used to treat (peri)menopausal symptoms and to help protect long-term health. This therapy can help reduce physical and mental symptoms of menopause, such as night sweats, hot flashes, and the risk of osteoporosis. Depending on the patient’s age and health condition, the doctor will determine the appropriate treatment method.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is used to treat symptoms that occur during the (peri)menopausal period in women. During menopause, the levels of two female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, decrease significantly, leading to symptoms such as mood changes, sleep difficulties, increased risk of osteoporosis, vaginal dryness, and painful intercourse.

Hormone Replacement Therapy can help alleviate these symptoms. Doctors prescribe synthetic estrogen or progesterone to help regulate the menstrual cycle. Supplementing these hormones helps reduce both physical and mental menopausal symptoms and prevents osteoporosis.

What is Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Depending on your age and health condition, the doctor will prescribe the appropriate type of medication for you.

This therapy comes in various forms such as skin patches, gels, creams, oral capsules, and vaginal tablets. Among these, the transdermal method—delivering hormones directly into the bloodstream—helps reduce metabolic risks and is considered the best approach.

Benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy You Should Know

Systemic hormone therapy and local hormone therapy offer different benefits.

Systemic Hormone Replacement Therapy HRT

Systemic estrogen is commonly found in pills, gels, creams, skin patches, or sprays.

  • Reduces hot flashes and night sweats.
  • Helps with vascular health, slows aging, and reduces genital dryness.
  • Prevents and reduces bone density loss, lowering the risk of fractures.
  • Protects the cardiovascular system and improves vascular health.

Studies have shown that combining estrogen and progesterone can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. Additionally, estrogen supplementation helps reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, enhances memory, increases brain blood flow, and boosts libido.

For combination therapy, doctors may consider applying one of the following protocols:

  • Cyclic therapy: Progesterone is used for several days each month or every 3-4 months, while estrogen is used daily.
  • Continuous therapy: Both estrogen and progesterone are used daily.

Local Hormone Therapy

Local hormone therapy comes in the form of tablets, rings, or creams.

  • Improves symptoms of vaginal and urinary dryness.
  • Due to limited absorption into the body, this therapy does not reduce night sweats, hot flashes, or prevent osteoporosis.

Doctors typically prescribe estrogen along with progesterone for women who have not had a hysterectomy. This is because estrogen without progesterone can stimulate the growth of the uterine lining, increasing the risk of uterine cancer. Conversely, if the uterus has been removed, progesterone is not needed.

Potential Risks of Hormone Replacement Therapy

Potential Risks of Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormone replacement therapy can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Alongside its benefits, HRT also carries potential risks. Combining estrogen and progesterone can increase the risk of the following conditions:

  • Heart disease (myocardial infarction)
  • Stroke and deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
  • Blood clots
  • Breast cancer
  • Gallbladder disease
  • Uterine cancer

Studies have also indicated that factors such as age, type of therapy, dosage and type of estrogen, as well as personal and family medical history, contribute to these risks. Therefore, it is essential to discuss with your doctor and carefully consider these risks when choosing hormone replacement therapy.

Who Should Use Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Despite the potential health risks, systemic estrogen remains the most effective treatment for menopausal symptoms.

The benefits of hormone replacement therapy are undeniable for the following cases:

  • Experiencing moderate to severe hot flashes or other menopausal symptoms.
  • Suffering from bone loss.
  • Experiencing early menopause before the age of 40 or premature ovarian failure before 40.

Women who go through early menopause, especially those who have had their ovaries removed and do not use estrogen therapy until at least age 45, are at higher risk for conditions such as:

  • Osteoporosis
  • Heart disease
  • Parkinson’s-like symptoms
  • Anxiety or depression

In these cases, the protective benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy often outweigh the risks. Patients should seek advice from their doctor to determine the most suitable treatment.

Who Should Not Use Hormone Replacement Therapy

Who Should Not Use Hormone Replacement Therapy
Who Should Not Use Hormone Replacement Therapy

Women with the following conditions should not use Hormone Replacement Therapy:

  • Breast cancer
  • Ovarian cancer
  • Endometrial cancer
  • Blood clots in the lungs or legs
  • Stroke
  • Liver disease
  • Unexplained vaginal bleeding

Women who go through menopause after 45 or do not have severe menopausal symptoms do not need hormone therapy. However, patients should consult their doctor about other ways to reduce the risk of conditions like osteoporosis and heart disease. A healthy lifestyle and other medications apart from hormone therapy can also help protect long-term health.

Measures to Reduce Risks Associated with Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

  • Choose the appropriate therapy: If only experiencing vaginal symptoms, estrogen in vaginal creams, tablets, or rings can address the issue. For additional symptoms, consider patches, gels, vaginal creams, tablets, or rings.
  • Reduce medication dosage: Patients should use the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible duration. If results are not satisfactory, longer-term treatment may be recommended, except for those under 45 who need sufficient estrogen to protect against long-term effects of estrogen deficiency.
  • Regular health monitoring: To avoid health risks, frequent doctor visits and screenings such as gynecological exams and breast cancer screenings are necessary.
  • Adopt a healthy lifestyle: Engage in regular physical activity and exercise, maintain a healthy diet, keep a healthy weight, avoid smoking, limit alcohol consumption, manage stress, and control chronic health conditions like high cholesterol or hypertension.

What to Do If You Cannot Use Hormone Replacement Therapy?

A healthy lifestyle, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, practicing rhythmic breathing or other relaxation exercises can help manage hot flashes during menopause. For vaginal issues, doctors may prescribe moisturizers or lubricants, or medications like ospemifene (Osphena) to alleviate pain during intercourse.

What to Do If You Cannot Use Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Establishing a healthy lifestyle helps improve both mood and physical health.

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored hormone replacement therapy (HRT), a popular treatment for symptoms related to hormonal decline. HRT not only improves quality of life by reducing unwanted symptoms like mood swings, vaginal dryness, and other menopausal symptoms, but it also helps prevent diseases associated with hormonal decline. However, using HRT requires thorough discussion and close monitoring by a specialist to ensure safety and efficacy. Contact your healthcare provider for detailed information and personalized advice on hormone replacement therapy.

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