Hormone Replacement Therapy- The Facts
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) helps women who are experiencing menopause to improve their physical and mental health. Menopause is a natural process and most women reach menopause between the ages of 45 and 55. However, some women enter menopause early, before 40. This is known as premature ovarian insufficiency and can cause many physical and emotional problems.Hormone Replacement Therapy offers excellent info on this.
The hormones in our body are produced by endocrine glands and function as a sort of internal communication system between the cells of our body. They coordinate various functions in our body including digestion, growth, mood, and libido. If there is an imbalance in one or more of the hormones, it can lead to serious physical and mental health issues, and hormone replacement therapy can help alleviate symptoms.
HRT can also cause side effects. Some women experience bloating, breast fullness, and fluid retention. However, these symptoms generally disappear after the therapy is paused or decreased. Despite the negative side effects, HRT does not cause pregnancy and can’t prevent ovulation. This means that pregnancy is still possible in perimenopause if you’re able to conceive naturally.
Long-term HRT may increase the risk of some diseases. However, the risks are small when weighed against the benefits. For example, women over 50 who use combined HRT are at minimal risk of developing breast cancer. Similarly, women on oestrogen alone don’t have any significant increased risk of breast cancer for up to fifteen years.
Hormone Replacement Therapy can also be prescribed as a single pill. Some women are prescribed a single pill or patch to take each day, but a combination of two or more hormones is usually recommended. Taking a single pill or patch each day can make the treatment more convenient. Using a skin patch may be the best option if you want to take HRT on a daily basis.
Women who have undergone an hysterectomy may need HRT to avoid premature menopause. Premature menopause may also be caused by underlying medical conditions. Some infections, some medications, or even previous cancer treatments can lead to early menopause. Women undergoing HRT should consult with a doctor to find the best option for them.
Some women choose to stop estrogen completely. In this case, they usually stop taking the hormone drug in a few years. However, many women have problems in stopping the hormone. Studies show that 40 to 50 percent of women who start the therapy stop within one year, and 70 percent quit after two years. Most of them do so without the guidance of their health care provider.