All women go through menopause. Unfortunately, the symptoms that come with this phase can be very difficult to endure. Some women can experience hot flashes, increased sweating during sleep, mood changes and sleep issues. These symptoms can be disruptive to their lives, affecting their everyday routine and their lives as a whole.
Medical treatment is often the best way to manage the severity of some of these symptoms. One of the more common options to alleviate symptoms of menopause through medical treatment is adjusting the body’s hormones through hormone therapy.
In this blog, we’ll go through which types of hormone therapy exist, what the benefits and risks are, and most importantly, we’ll tell you at what point hormone therapy is the right choice for you.
What is Hormone Therapy for Menopause?
Hormone Replacement Therapy is a type of treatment that assists in replacing and/or replenishing hormones that your body produces less of during aging, especially during menopause. HRT mainly focuses on Estrogen and Progesterone replacement during menopause.
As a woman ages, her body produces fewer hormones. Because of this, women experience a whole range of both physically and mentally imbalancing symptoms. HRT assists in having a woman’s body regain balance.
HRT is administered at various cutoff points (e.g., Low, Moderate, and High) based on a woman's symptoms, history, and/or age. HRT can be administered as tablets, cuts, skin patches, gels, and creams, or even as vaginal preparations.
Symptoms of Menopause That Hormone Therapy Can Treat
Hormone therapy is particularly effective in the management of the most common menopause symptoms, including:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Vaginal dryness
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Sleep problems
- Insomnia
- Lack of sexual desire
- Risk of osteoporosis
Types of Hormone Therapy
There are several kinds of hormone therapy, and the type a woman gets depends on whether she has had a hysterectomy and her personal health concerns.
Estrogen-Only Therapy
This type is generally suggested to those who have had their uterus removed. Estrogen alone is sufficient to provide relief from the symptoms of menopause.
Combined Hormone Therapy
This therapy involves both estrogen and progesterone and is suggested for those who still have their uterus. This is because progesterone offers protection to the lining of the uterus from the risks of complications.
Forms of Hormone Therapy
The flexibility and convenience of hormone therapy are evident in the variety of forms it is offered in, which include:
- Oral tablets
- Skin patches
- Gels or sprays
- Vaginal creams or rings
- Injections
Benefits of Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy has many benefits, including that it is effective for treating symptoms of menopause.
Hot flashes and night sweats can be very uncomfortable but medicine can reduce those symptoms and improve comfort day or night. Sleep can be improved, and/or mood can be stabilized, which has a positive effect on mental health.
Dryness and discomfort that are vaginal-related can be alleviated through this therapy, and sexual activity can be improved. Also, this therapy is important for bone health so that the risk for osteoporosis and fractures is lower.
For women who have moderate to severe symptoms of menopause, quality of life can be greatly improved by this therapy.
Risks and Side Effects of Hormone Therapy
Some side effects and risks come with any medical treatment, including the risks of hormone therapy that have to be evaluated.
General side effects can be issues such as:
- Tenderness of the breasts
- Bloating
- Head pain
- Nausea, bleeding, or other mild irregularities
Some therapy users have long-term issues with bleeding that is associated with blood pressure clots, heart disease, or breast cancer. These issues are not guaranteed to happen, as age, health, therapy kind and time of use will alter these risks.
Who Should Avoid Hormone Therapy?
Not everyone can do hormone therapy. Women should avoid it if they have:
- Breast cancer history
- Blood clotting problems
- Heart disease or history of stroke
- Unexplained vaginal bleeding
Other treatments can be used for them to manage menopause symptoms safely.
How Long Should You Take Hormone Therapy?
Typically, the shortest duration that's necessary to manage one's symptoms is how long hormone therapy is recommended for.
Based on medical advice and individual needs, the duration may vary~ However, it is applicable for about 3 to 5 years on average. Follow-up appointments are necessary to assess the state of one's health and modify treatments if warranted.
Alternatives to Hormone Therapy
Other things can be done besides hormone therapy and those can be things like lifestyle changes. Things like not eating junk food and exercising can take your mind off stress and reduce symptoms of the problem. You can also ask your Oncologist about non-hormone medicine that can control things like your temper and hot flashes.
Some women prefer to do things like take herbal medicine. This can be dangerous so be sure to ask your oncologist first.
Conclusion
Hormone therapy can be one of the best options for treating symptoms of menopause. It can improve the quality of life for someone and can relieve symptoms like hot flashes, problems sleeping, and improve mood. It can even help with bone health.
Like any treatment, there can be risks. You should know them before deciding if the risks are balanced with the reward, especially for your health situation. Having a specialist help you is important so you can get the best outcome.
Dr. Pooja Babbar is one of the best oncologist in Gurgoan and can help you manage your menopause symptoms. Call her today and get the best personalized care that you deserve.
