All You Need to Know About Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a medical treatment for women suffering from symptoms of menopause. The treatment is basically used to relieve symptoms of menopause by replacing certain female hormones that appear to be at a lower level as they approach a certain age.

Simply put, menopause, sometimes referred to as 'change of life' is the condition when a woman's ovaries stop the production of eggs after every four weeks. Generally, it translates to a condition where the female may no longer have her monthly 'periods' and may not be able to have children through the natural process. It usually occurs in women after the age of 50, although some women may experience the symptoms in their mid 30s and 40s.

Since female hormones like progesterone and estrogen play an important role in a woman's body, lower levels of these can cause a variety of emotional and physical symptoms which include vaginal dryness, unexpected mood swings and even hot flushes. So HRT aims at restoring these hormonal levels, eventually allowing the body to again function properly.

Hormones involved in HRT

Two of the primary female hormones are involved in the hormone replacement therapy.

• Estrogen : Estrogen is the hormone that helps with the release of eggs from the ovaries inside a female's body. It helps helps a woman conceive and regulates her periods. Moreover, it plays an important role in controlling many other functions of the body including vaginal moisture, bone density and skin temperature. Usually, it is the reduction in the amount of estrogen that causes the symptoms of menopause, which include night sweats, vaginal dryness, stress incontinence and hot flushes. Most of these symptoms pass by within a period of 2-5 years, although stress incontinence and vaginal dryness may persist.

• Progesterone : Progesterone is responsible for preparing the womb for pregnancy. It also protects the endometrium, the inner lining of the womb. A decrease in progesterone level generally does not affect a woman's body as much as falling levels of estrogen. Often, progestogen, a form of synthetic progesterone is used along with estrogen in hormone replacement therapy.

Hormone replacement therapy – various options

There hormone replacement therapy contains several combinations, and deciding which one to chose can be difficult. These are some ways in which hormone replacement therapy can be taken :

• Pills/tablets : Taken by mouth.

• Implant : Some tiny pellets of estrogen are inserted under the skin of the patient's tummy, under local anesthetic.

• Patches : A patch is applied to the skin.

• Estrogen gel : Applied to the skin directly.

Who can take hormone replacement therapy

Women beginning to experience the symptoms of menopause can start taking HRT. However, it is not suitable in a few situations. These include :

• If the patient is pregnant.

• The patient has a history of womb cancer, ovarian cancer or breast cancer.

• The patient has a history of embolism, commonly referred as blood clots.

• The patient has untreated high blood pressure, which will require to be turned down before starting the HRT.

• The patient suffers from a liver disease.

If you want to know more about HRT, contact Phoenix Family Medical Clinic. You can also book same day appointments.

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