Four Important Questions About Hormone Replacement Therapy
You may be experiencing a situation where the symptoms of menopause have become too troublesome to ignore. Hot flashes, fuzzy thinking, mood swings and a lot of other irritating conditions makes it seem like you have premenstrual syndrome all the time. Hormone replacement therapy may not be your first thought, but for some it can work surprisingly well and is a reasonably safe option for many. Read on for answers to four key questions to see how HRT could be right for you.
What HRT options are available?
The combination of estrogen and progestin, (or progesterone) is often preferred since the addition of progestin has been shown to reduce the risk of uterine cancer. While the medication is available through oral dosage, the transdermal patches, implants and topical creams allow the hormones to work faster and without passing through your liver. The correct dosages are vital because too much or too little could only cause your symptoms to worsen, so expect a learning curve at first to get the mixture of hormones just right.
What are bio-identical hormones?
The concept of bio-identical hormones remains controversial in that no studies have been completed that show any benefits to their use. Bio-identical really just means that your body cannot tell the difference between its own naturally produced hormones and the supplemental ones, which leads some to believe that they are a safer choice.
Why does HRT have such a bad reputation?
A groundbreaking study by the Women's Health Initiative in 2002 caused wide-spread alarm and prompted doctors to discontinue prescribing HRT temporarily. The study linked everything from cancer to heart disease to HRT. Once the dust settled. however, further evaluation of the participant's ages and use proved that younger women, aged 45-60, who used HRT short-term had a relatively low risk.
Is hormone replacement therapy dangerous?
No, in fact, when it comes to breast cancer the reverse seems to be more accurate. Breast cancer occurs less often in women who have used HRT. The use of HRT for a period of less than five years is the safest choice. There is evidence of a slight risk for heart disease and stroke, so discuss your concerns about this with your doctor.
HRT can be a life-saver for those with severe symptoms of pre-menopause as well as those already well into menopause. You may not even be aware of how much havoc that hormone loss is causing until you've tried HRT and found blessed relief. Talk with your doctor about your options for hormone replacement therapy today and feel better soon. For more information, talk to a professional like those at Genemedics Health Institute.
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