Hormone replacement therapy often referred to, as HRT or Postmenopausal hormone use is the topic of this particular article. Here we will discuss the process and treatment option, dealing with symptoms, the effects, impact, and consequences of menopause, and taking estrogen either alone or in combination with progesterone.

Some of the common symptoms on menopause include: hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and an inability to sleep. Estrogen is the generally recommended treatment for treatment of these symptoms. Taking this drug can help menopause sufferers achieve a much better quality of life while going through ‘the change’. It is important however to remember that this is a natural process of aging and not a disease that simply must be treated. There are however, preventative therapies and products that help manage some of the more severe symptoms while protecting the body from the bone loss that sometimes occurs as a result of the lack of estrogen after menopause.

Quick facts about HRT and Menopause

The symptoms of menopause are actually the ‘coping mechanism’ that your body creates in order to deal with the hormonal and chemical changes taking place.

1) Estrogen use whether with or without progesterone serves to double the estrogen levels of menopausal women.

2) While hormone treatments are effective, they rarely return the levels to those of pre menopausal women. They are not designed to completely replace original hormone levels.

The hormone use is actually intended to ease the discomfort of some of the symptoms that are often associated with menopause such as vaginal dryness, hot flashes, night sweats, and the inability to sleep. These same hormones are also used to prevent certain medical conditions and diseases that are common for postmenopausal women. These diseases include: heart disease, osteoporosis, and some cancers.

There is a great deal of ongoing research concerning menopause, dealing effectively with the symptoms of menopause, HRT, and alternative therapies. These studies include clinical trials as well as in depth and wide ranging observational studies. Participants of these studies are sometimes given placebos instead of the hormones they think they are receiving and studied over time to see how they react to the hormones, if their symptoms subside, and to see if other diseases or conditions arise consistently. Typically there are no intervention only comparisons between those who take the hormones and those who do not.

Many of these studies concluded that the long-term health risks of HRT far outweighed the short-term benefits. If you are considering this type of treatment it is vitally important that you seriously discuss with your doctor whether or not this is the right treatment option for you, what the risks are, and if there are other options available to you that might be just as effective without the high risks. Some of the risks include risks of breast cancer, heart disease, stroke, and blood clots. On the other hand there were fewer hip fractures and instances of colon cancer among HRT patients so there are some benefits as well.

Eclectic sampling of findings

1) Women over the age of 65 using estrogen and progestin had double risks of developing dementia as well as a negative impact on cognitive function.

2) Women aged 50-79 experienced no significant change in vitality, mental health, general health, or sexual satisfaction as the result of using estrogen plus progestin.

3) The use of estrogen alone presents even less clear and conclusive results. As a result of the lack of clarity, studies and trials are ongoing.

4) There are indications that hormone replacement therapy increases not only the risk of cancer of the lining of the uterus but also endometrial cancer, and bleeding of the uterine. These side effects lead to the more frequent biopsies and ultrasounds for women who underwent HRT than those using placebos.

5) Increased risk of breast cancer.

6) HRT is a very effective treatment for the short-term symptoms of menopause.

7) Gall bladder disease and strokes are also more common among patients receiving HRT type treatment.

Ultimately, the choice of whether or not the short-term benefits are worth the long-term risks associated with HRT is yours. Regardless of what you decide, it is always a good idea to run your thoughts and concerns by your doctor and listen to the advice and caution he provides.