Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) involves the administration of estrogens (or substances with similar action), for the treatment of symptoms that occur in menopause.
It is known that about 80% of women after the last menstruation, present the so-called “hot flashes”. Hot flashes represent the most typical symptoms of this stage of life. They are characterized by a sudden reddening of the skin at the face, neck and chest level, accompanied by an intense sensation of heat followed by abundant sweating, independent of the ambient temperature.
The frequency with which they appear depends on each woman and their presence can last for several years. There are also other symptoms, such as problems falling asleep, mood swings, vagina dryness, involuntary urination, loss of bone density, and irritability. Both hot flashes and the rest of the symptoms listed are the first that after your menstruation stops. They can also come even during perimenopause, which is the period before your last menstruation.
Are you considering hormone replacement therapy for your menopause symptoms, here are some things you need to know about the therapy.
What exactly is hormone replacement therapy?
In menopause, there is a fall in your sex hormones, especially estrogen and progesterone. Hormone replacement therapy involves replacing these two hormones that have been drastically reduced with medication to avoid the effects that their loss produces.
There are many types of estrogen available, which can be received in different forms: in the form of tablets, patches, gel, and eggs. Each of these products has its advantages and disadvantages. On the other hand, progesterone can be administered in the form of tablets or eggs.
And surely you wonder how the medication is taken? There are different schemes that are indicated according to the characteristics of each woman: her age, her background, the time that has passed since the last menstruation, her wishes to continue menstruating or not, etc. This is decided jointly by the woman and her doctor, then evaluate all possible alternatives.
What Are the Benefits of Hormone Therapy?
In addition to improving the characteristic symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, decreased libido, insomnia, anxiety, and even depression, HRT is effective in preventing bone loss, decreasing the risk of osteoporosis fractures, so it improves bone and cardiovascular health.
They are also effective in preventing genital atrophy and improve sexual function, because it stimulates blood flow and lubrication, combats dryness and sensitivity of vaginal tissue.
Should All Women Who Go Through Menopause Receive Hormonal Treatment?
Not necessarily. However, treatment would be indicated in women who suffer from very annoying hot flashes, of great intensity and frequency that goes to the extent of altering their quality of life. The intensity of the symptoms is often determined by what is called hot flask diary. It is a record that helps calculate the quantity and quality of hot flashes a woman is getting during menopause.
If you are anywhere around Austell Georgia and looking for hormone replacement therapy near you, you can contact Anytime MD Urgent Care to help you decide if the treatment is appropriate for you and how you can get started with excellent results. They have experienced doctors that will advise and help you with the therapy without any issues. Because of their excellent reputation in Austell Georgia, they have become one of the leading centers to go for hormone replacement therapy and other issues that have to do with menopause.
Is It Only Menopausal Women That Can Receive Hormone Replacement Therapy?
No. As we said before, perimenopausal women (the stage that precedes menopause), which generally begin with irregularities in menstruation, may present these symptoms. In these cases the therapy is adapted to your need.
Can I Take Hormones Indefinitely?
No. The duration of hormonal treatment should be maintained as long as the benefits outweigh the risks, and ALWAYS must be indicated by a doctor, assessing the risks and benefits of the treatment.
What Women Cannot Receive Hormonal Treatment?
It is contraindicated in women with a history of breast and uterine cancer (more specifically, endometrial), thrombosis (blood clot formation), liver or kidney disease, stroke;Â also in those women with uncontrolled high blood pressure;Â and other situations in which it is necessary to indicate with caution, such as gallstones or migraine stones, among others.
Needless to say, the woman who receives this treatment should be indicated by a doctor after having daily clinical and gynecological control. It is important to clarify that the family history of breast cancer DOES NOT CONTRAIND the use of hormones as long as the patient has an updated mammogram and normal physical examination.
Is It True That Hormonal Replacement Therapy Can “Wake Up” A Cancer?
This concept is false. Whenever the treatment is indicated in a healthy woman, who does not have any health condition that prevents her from receiving the medication, with updated clinical and gynecological controls and under the supervision of her doctor, one should not be afraid to take it. Quite the contrary, medication helps improve the quality of life during this stage and has multiple benefits.
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