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Hormone Replacement Therapy has become a standard procedure for women approaching, or going through that time of life know as menopause. During menopause a woman’s body does not produce as much estrogen or progesterone -- the female hormones. Her periods slow down and eventually stop and her ability to bear more children ceases. To some women this is a great relief, to others it is a cause for depression. Whatever the case may be, learning about hormone replacement therapy as a way to ease the symptoms that are part and parcel of menopause is a wise choice.
What Are The Symptoms of Menopause? Between the ages of 35 and 55 a woman’s periods will begin to slow down and become irregular. Some of the physical changes that MAY accompany this change in periods are hotflashes (described as intense body heat,) a change in sleep patterns, vaginal dryness, urinary problems, weight gain, lowered ability to handle caffeine and alcohol, mild memory loss, mood swings, weakened bones, and lowered heart health.
It is helpful if a woman keeps a diary of her periods when she is approaching the age of menopause. This will enable her to be more aware of what is going on with her body at this time of change. If the symptoms become too uncomfortable it may be time to look into hormone replacement therapy(HRT). Many women begin therapy before they experience any menopausal symptoms.
What is HRT? Hormone replacement is just that. It replaces the female hormones that a woman’s body is making less of during menopause. HRT can lessen the side-effects of menopause and also help keep bones and heart strong. HRT can be administered in a pill, a patch, an injection or a cream. If one product doesn’t work talk to your doctor and move on to the next product type. HRT is a totally personal treatment and needs to be adjusted and sometimes readjusted for each woman. Following is a list of the types of replacement hormones:
ERT(estrogen replacement therapy), this is usually given to women who have had their uterus removed. Progesterone Replacement Therapy - replaces progesterone. Also used in some women to regulate their periods. This hormone gives relief for hot flashes and aids in keeping the bones healthy.
Combined Hormone Therapy, (or, Opposed Estrogen Therapy) — This is the treatment usually given to women who still have their uterus. It replaces estrogen and progesterone and can be administered in various forms, as natural or as synthetic.
"Natural" hormones are medications that are chemically identical to what the body produces, while "synthetic" hormones are medications that are similar but not identical to the hormones naturally produced in the body. The combined hormone therapy is the most beneficial. Estrogen and progesterone work in many parts of the body. While estrogen's main benefit is easing the discomfort of menopausal symptoms, it causes a thickening of the uterine lining which can lead to cancer. The progesterone protects the uterine wall from tissue build-up thus reducing that risk.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy Some women do not respond well to estrogen replacement therapy. This seems to hold true in women that have had their ovaries removed. In this case testosterone replacement therapy can offer relief and also has some additional benefits such as increased energy level, a higher sex drive, and an improved sense of well-being.
Another increasingly popular way to treat menopause is with a transdermal progesterone cream. These creams (some available without a prescription in low doses) may offer help to a woman, before she notices any of the symptoms of menopause. They deliver a small amount of progesterone through the skin. They are natural products, not synthetics and they can also help with premenopausal(PMS) as well as menopausal and post-menopausal symptoms. Your local health-food store, or Internet sites that reference alternative health products, can offer you more advice on these topical applications.
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