Many older women need hormone replacement therapy for menopause. This remedy is gaining popularity for treating symptoms of menopause and the after-effects of natural or surgical menopause. Estrogen levels decrease as a woman enters her late 30s and early 40s, causing many symptoms associated with menopause.

These hormonal changes can be very uncomfortable and challenging to manage independently. Hormone replacement therapy may help relieve these symptoms by increasing estrogen levels back to normal levels.

Hormone therapy may help women experiencing moderate to severe hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood swings, anxiety, depression, or other symptoms of perimenopause or menopause.

Menopausal Symptoms

Menopause is a natural part of aging. It occurs when the time comes for a woman’s body to stop producing estrogen and progesterone. This is done naturally through the body’s hormonal process, but it can be disrupted if you have specific health issues or are taking certain prescription medications.

The symptoms of menopause vary from woman to woman and come on gradually over time. They can include:

• Hot flashes or night sweats
• Redness and irritation of the skin, including an itchy rash lasting several days
• Painful menstrual periods that last longer than usual, which is usually about 12 weeks
• Anxiety or depression
• Sleep disturbances

Menopausal hormone therapy

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for menopause is a safe and effective way to treat hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause. HRT is used to manage symptoms of menopause and minimize the risk of osteoporosis.

HRT helps women reduce hormone production and bone loss during menopause. This therapy also helps women avoid severe health problems associated with low estrogen levels, such as heart disease, stroke, and dementia.

The most common types of hormone therapy treatment options are oral pills or patches that deliver hormones directly into the blood through the skin. These types of treatment can be prescribed by a doctor specializing in women’s health care, who may also provide counseling on managing other aspects of aging, such as memory loss or osteoporosis.

Types of Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a safe and effective treatment for menopausal symptoms. Here are the different types of hormone therapy:

Estrogen Alone Therapy

Estrogen is a female sex hormone that helps maintain bone density, muscle strength, and heart and blood vessel function properly. The ovaries secrete small amounts of estrogen during the reproductive years. After menopause, the ovaries no longer produce estrogen. Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) is designed to replace the missing estrogen in your body and help restore some of your hormone balance.

Estrogen therapy is a blood-based hormone replacement therapy that can help relieve symptoms of menopause and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Estrogen therapy may be prescribed to women who have had a hysterectomy and are experiencing menopause symptoms.

Estrogen Progestin Hormone Therapy

Estrogen and progestin therapy is often called combined hormone therapy as it pairs doses of estrogen with progestin. Combine therapy is meant for women who still have their uterus and are at high risk of endometrial cancer. Estrogen therapy lowers the risk of endometrial cancer in women who have had their ovaries removed because of premature ovarian failure.

Estrogen combined with progestin reduces the risks associated with estrogen alone by helping reduce the effect of estrogens on the lining of your uterus, which otherwise would become thicker and more likely to develop into cancerous tissue.

In addition, progestins help protect against excessive bleeding during menstruation by thinning out your uterine lining so that menstrual flow is less likely to cause bleeding.

Benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hormone replacement therapy is a medical treatment that replaces hormones that are no longer produced by your body due to menopause. It can help prevent bone loss, reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, and improve sleep. HRT may also help you feel more energetic and decrease your risk of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, or depression.

Decreased Risk of Heart Disease

Estrogen has been proven to protect against heart disease by lowering blood pressure and triglycerides. Estrogen also helps prevent heart attack and stroke by improving circulation throughout the body.

Decreased Risk of Osteoporosis

Estrogen also helps maintain bone density. A decrease in estrogen may lead to an increase in bone loss that may cause osteoporosis later in life. Estrogen replacement therapy can help restore the balance between estrogen and testosterone levels, which helps prevent osteoporosis from developing into more severe forms, such as hip fractures or broken bones due to osteoporotic fractures. Hormonal therapy has been proven to reduce bone loss and fractures in postmenopausal women.

Other benefits of hormone replacement therapy include:

• Relief from hot flashes and night sweats
• Improved moodiness and reduced anxiety
• Ease vaginal dryness and itching
• Improved quality of life

What Are the Risks of Hormone Replacement Therapy?

There are risks associated with menopausal hormone therapy, including a greater risk of heart disease. In addition, there is a small increased risk of blood clots for women who take estrogen-only replacement therapy.

The risk factors associated with hormone therapy include:

• Heart disease
• Blood clots in the legs or lungs
• Gallbladder problems
• Vaginal bleeding in older women

The risks of hormone replacement therapy are well-known, but the potential benefits may be worth it. Ask your doctor to explain these risks and help if you consider using HRT.

Menopause Care & Treatments At Meridian Health and Wellness

Menopause is a time of transition for most women. The body starts to change, and the symptoms can be distressing. At Meridian Health and Wellness, we offer a range of treatments that will help you through this time.

At Meridian Health and Wellness, we offer various menopause care options, including hormone therapy, natural remedies, and lifestyle changes. Our goal is to help you find relief from symptoms while ensuring you receive the best possible treatment available.

The Meridian Health and Wellness team has extensive experience treating Menopause issues and helping you find the proper treatment for your unique needs. We have provided comprehensive care for women for many years, so we know what it takes to help you quickly get through this difficult time. Get the relief you need to live an everyday life by calling us today at (470) 344-5780 to book an appointment!