Hormone replacement therapy, HRT, is a common indication for people who have reached menopause and are struggling with associated symptoms. Menopause is a period when a woman transitions from one stage in their life to another due to physiological factors. On average, this milestone usually occurs between the age of forty and fifty years. At this point, the person may begin to experience hot flushes, night sweats and vaginal dryness. Menopause may, however, come much earlier for women whose ovaries have been removed for one reason or another. There are a number of things on hormone replacement therapy St Petersburg FL women need to understand if considering this treatment.
Menopause is said to have occurred when the ovaries no longer produce the hormones oestrogen and progesterone which play a vital role in the human female body. Oestrogen is responsible for growth and development of the breasts, one of the secondary sexual characteristics in women. Working together with progesterone, it is responsible for preparing the body for pregnancy. Menstruation takes place monthly if pregnancy fails to occur.
The replacement therapy is composed of synthetic hormones that work the same way as the human estrogen and progesterone. They come either in single preparations of oestrogen, progesterone or as a combination of the two. Even though most of them come in the form of pills, some preparations exist as patches, gels or creams.
It should be noted that hormone therapy is not indicated for every woman who has menopausal symptoms. A thorough evaluation needs to be done before one can safely take the drugs. This is because HRT is known to be associated with breast and uterine cancer. It also predisposes deep venous thrombosis hence increases the chances of one getting cardiovascular disease. These rather serious effects have been particularly linked to oestrogen only pills.
Just like any other treatment, hormone replacement has its own side effects. The patient may note that they are gaining weight without necessarily eating too much. They may also develop an alternate change in mood. Other side effects include breakthrough vaginal bleeding, fluid retention and bloating.
While most side effects are transient, some can be a nuisance to the patient. One can switch from skin patches to oral drugs if the patches cause too much irritation of from pills to patches if the pills give you persistent headaches. One can stick to the route they are most comfortable with once they identify it.
Menopausal symptoms usually subside once the patient starts taking the drugs. The route of administration depends on the dominant symptoms. For instance, vaginal creams are better if the main complaint is vaginal dryness and pain during sex. Generally, one begins to see a difference within one to three months of using medication. They will begin to notice that their skin and hair has improved in appearance. Also, susceptibility to bone pain and fractures will be greatly reduced.
All in all, one needs to weigh the benefits against the risks before choosing to use hormone replacement therapy. When you have chosen to use HRT, it is advisable to use the lowest possible dose and the shortest duration of time necessary to provide relief of symptoms.
Menopause is said to have occurred when the ovaries no longer produce the hormones oestrogen and progesterone which play a vital role in the human female body. Oestrogen is responsible for growth and development of the breasts, one of the secondary sexual characteristics in women. Working together with progesterone, it is responsible for preparing the body for pregnancy. Menstruation takes place monthly if pregnancy fails to occur.
The replacement therapy is composed of synthetic hormones that work the same way as the human estrogen and progesterone. They come either in single preparations of oestrogen, progesterone or as a combination of the two. Even though most of them come in the form of pills, some preparations exist as patches, gels or creams.
It should be noted that hormone therapy is not indicated for every woman who has menopausal symptoms. A thorough evaluation needs to be done before one can safely take the drugs. This is because HRT is known to be associated with breast and uterine cancer. It also predisposes deep venous thrombosis hence increases the chances of one getting cardiovascular disease. These rather serious effects have been particularly linked to oestrogen only pills.
Just like any other treatment, hormone replacement has its own side effects. The patient may note that they are gaining weight without necessarily eating too much. They may also develop an alternate change in mood. Other side effects include breakthrough vaginal bleeding, fluid retention and bloating.
While most side effects are transient, some can be a nuisance to the patient. One can switch from skin patches to oral drugs if the patches cause too much irritation of from pills to patches if the pills give you persistent headaches. One can stick to the route they are most comfortable with once they identify it.
Menopausal symptoms usually subside once the patient starts taking the drugs. The route of administration depends on the dominant symptoms. For instance, vaginal creams are better if the main complaint is vaginal dryness and pain during sex. Generally, one begins to see a difference within one to three months of using medication. They will begin to notice that their skin and hair has improved in appearance. Also, susceptibility to bone pain and fractures will be greatly reduced.
All in all, one needs to weigh the benefits against the risks before choosing to use hormone replacement therapy. When you have chosen to use HRT, it is advisable to use the lowest possible dose and the shortest duration of time necessary to provide relief of symptoms.
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