Are you having vaginal dryness and hot flashes due to menopause? Hormone therapy might help you get rid of it. This therapy is done to manage the symptoms of menopause, not necessarily to make the hormonal levels normal like before.
You can get Hormone Replacement Therapy done to restore the hormones to normal.
Why do you need hormone replacement therapy?
Menopause and its effects are the major reasons why you may go through hormone therapy. Menopause is a biological process that may cause various effects on your body. During this time, the body goes through various changes to adjust according to the hormonal levels.
Menopause leads to hormonal changes, which create symptoms like hot flashes, mood changes, and depression. The hormones present in your body since adolescence gradually decrease over the years. These changes lead to several effects on the body.
The solution to all the symptoms like hot flashes, vaginal irritation or dryness, mood swings and depression is Hormone Replacement Therapy or mostly known as Hormone Therapy. This therapy provides the body with necessary hormones that fall short due to the ageing process, menopause, or any other reason.
As you age above 40, the estrogen level in the body reduces, which causes the following symptoms:
- Hot flashes
- Night Sweats
- Vaginal dryness
- Painful Sexual Intercourse
- Mood Swings
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Leaking Pee
The Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) helps in replacing the hormones. You can feel relieved after the replacement is done. This therapy also helps you in case of osteoporosis ( common in women with low estrogen levels).
Types of Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormonal Replacement Therapy is of two types: Estrogen Therapy and Combination Therapy ( Estrogen and Progesterone).
You need to consult a healthcare expert; he will help you understand both types and recommend the suitable one. Considerations of your symptoms, medical history, and preferences are made before going through Hormonal Replacement Therapy.
Estrogen Therapy
Estrogen Therapy includes the intake of estrogen. Most healthcare experts prescribe low estrogen doses to start with. The Estrogen you take has various forms as follows:
- Estrogen pills are for swallowing by mouth.
- A patch to be stuck to your skin.
- The vaginal ring is wrong inside the vagina.
- Gel application on your skin.
- Vaginal Cream application on the vagina.
- Tablets to be placed inside your vagina
- Arm spray is to be applied to the arms.
Did you have a hysterectomy to remove your uterus? If yes, then your health care expert will recommend Estrogen Therapy only. The reason behind this is that there is a low risk involved in estrogen intake for long-term use. But in the case of Hormonal Therapy involving a combination of estrogen and progesterone, the risks involved are slightly higher.
Estrogen-Progesterone Therapy or Combination Therapy
The combination Hormone Replacement Therapy involves the use of both estrogen and progesterone. It is also called pa rogestin. This name is used for most of the hormones, which behave like progesterone, along with synthetic ones. If you have a uterus after menopause, then you need progestin.
Progestin helps in lowering the chance of cancer risk. The uterine lining is generally shed during the reproductive years because of the menstrual cycle. When the cycle stops, the lining does not shed any more, which leads to the overgrowth of cells in your uterus. This increase of cells in the uterus lining leads to cancer. Using only Estrogen would increase the risk of getting cancer.
Combination Therapy mostly involves pills or skin patches. You can also take the therapy using the Intrauterine device IUD by placing it inside your vagina.
How to do Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Hormonal Replacement Therapy can be done in two categories: Systemic hormone therapy and Local hormone therapy.
Systemic Hormone Therapy
This therapy includes the use of a product which dissolves in your blood and reaches your organs and tissues as per the requirement.
For example – This process involves the use of products like pills, sprays, gels and patches. In case of hot flashes or night sweats, the most common symptoms of menopause, you may consider this method.
Local Hormone Therapy
In the case of Local Hormone Therapy, the product is applied to a few specific areas. For example, This method involves the use of a vaginal Cream, ring or tablets. It is placed inside your vagina and melts after a few minutes. This hormone therapy is very helpful in case of vaginal dryness. Generally, the dose of local Hormone Therapy is lower.
When does Hormone Replacement Therapy Start and How does it Work?
Hormone Replacement Therapy may be started before the age of 40 or after menopause. After the age of forty, there’s a shrinkage of your ovaries and a lowering of estrogen and progesterone production. The lack of these hormones leads to menopause and its symptoms. HRT gives you the hormones you have lost and involves both benefits and risks.
If your body is unable to produce estrogen and progesterone before the age of forty, a high dose of hormone replacement therapy is given. It is given for the ovaries to work as per age.
- Estrogen-only therapy is given daily. The procedure of application depends on the type of product prescribed to you. Ask your health expert about the correct way to use it.
- Combine Therapy involves two ways, i.e., continuous combined therapy and cyclic combined therapy.
In the case of continuous combined therapy, you need to take both estrogen and progesterone. Take these hormone combinations daily and mark which one suits you the most.
Sequential therapy or cyclic therapy involves the intake of estrogen every day. Whereas progesterone is to be taken for 12 to 15 days every month. Progesterone needs to be taken for a shorter period in the form of pills.
There is no specification of which way fits your body for maintaining the hormonal level. So, you need to consult a healthcare expert before going through the Therapy. Your symptoms and requirements are to be considered by the provider.
Risks Involved in Hormone Replacement Therapy
Although Hormone Replacement Therapy helps you get through menopause, it also includes certain health risks. You must know about the possible health risks.
- HRT may increase the risk of getting uterine cancer in case you still have your uterus.
- The risk of getting heart disease increases in case of using HRT for 10 years after menopause.
- The therapy involves the risk of blood clots and strokes.
- The risk of gallbladder disease and breast cancer is common in the case of long-term use of Hormone Replacement Therapy.
Why isn’t HRT no longer recommended?
HRT increases the risk of getting Breast Cancer. If you already have breast cancer, then HRT is not recommended at all. It is found that there is an increase in 5 cases of breast cancer undergoing HRT in every 1000 women. The risk is higher if you opt for HRT at an older age.
However, your healthcare expert will advise you whether HRT must be taken or not.
In the following cases, you must avoid taking Hormonal Replacement Therapy:
- In case of ovarian cancer, breast cancer, or uterine cancer.
- If you generally have blood clots.
- Having bleeding invagina
- If you had a stroke, heart attack, or any cardiovascular disease.
- In case you are pregnant or have liver or gallbladder-related diseases.
In case you are having the symptoms of menopause, which are affecting your daily life, you may opt for Hormone Replacement Therapy. However, the decision to opt for HRT depends on individual preference and is necessary for everyone.
Before arriving at the final decision, you need to discuss it with your healthcare expert. Stay well informed about both pros and cons before taking HRT. If you don’t want a HRT there are other options available. Ask your health experts and they will be providing the best therapy as per your menopause symptoms.