Menopause is a natural part of every woman’s life, but it comes with a lot of changes.
The symptoms of menopause can range from annoying to debilitating, and they are often not talked about openly. It’s time for women everywhere to know that treatments can help them get through this stage in their lives.
Research has found hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to be one of the most effective ways for women going through menopause to manage their symptoms and live a healthy life. In addition, hormone replacement therapy is safe when done correctly by your doctor or healthcare provider.
Menopause: Definition & Symptoms
Menopause is when a woman’s menstrual cycle stops and is often diagnosed 12 months after her final menstrual period. It happens as women age because their bodies no longer produce as many hormones. When menopause begins, the ovaries produce less estrogen and progesterone, which can cause physical and emotional changes in the way your body functions.
Hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings are the most common symptoms women complain about during perimenopausal or natural menopause transition. In addition, vaginal dryness, increased risk of osteoporosis (thinning bones), and sleep problems such as insomnia can occur.
Types Of Menopause:
Your doctor or healthcare provider needs to understand what type of menopause you are going through and the symptoms you’re experiencing. Before choosing a hormone replacement therapy, you also need to share any other health problems and medications you might be taking (like blood pressure medications, antidepressants, or sleeping pills).
Natural Menopause
Natural menopause is when a women’s period suddenly stops, and she experiences the various symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, mood swings, and vaginal dryness.
Perimenopausal is when a woman still has periods, but her hormones are out of balance, and she may experience some symptoms similar to menopause.
Some women experience early menopause, which causes them to experience these changes sooner than expected. It is often genetic.
Surgical Menopause
Surgical menopause is the result of a hysterectomy which includes the removal of both ovaries. Surgical menopause can cause significant symptoms similar to natural or normal menopause.
Chemotherapy-Induced Menopause
Women who have gone through chemotherapy for cancer treatment may experience early onset of menopause and other side effects from the chemo. This is called chemical or medical-induced menopause.
Is Hormone Therapy A Good Treatment For Menopause Symptoms?
Menopausal hormone therapy is excellent for treating menopause-related symptoms. It also has added benefits like:
- It improves the quality of life and sleep
- HRT helps in preventing chronic diseases like osteoporosis
- It reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases
- Relieves menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, insomnia, and mood swings
Hormone Replacement Therapy works by replacing the estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone your body has stopped producing. You can give the hormones in a variety of ways, including creams, pills, and patches.
There are two types of hormone replacement therapy, Traditional HRT and bio-identical hormone replacement therapy, each with its benefits.
Traditional HRT
Traditional HRT is the most common and is made up of synthetic hormones. It is easier to start up right away because the medication is taken in pill form. Types of traditional HRT include:
- Estrogen therapy: This therapy uses estrogen pills to treat menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and vaginal symptoms, such as dryness.
- Progesterone therapy: Doctors recommend this therapy for women who have severe night sweats that interfere with their sleep; it helps reduce the frequency and severity of these symptoms.
- Combination hormone therapy: The combined hormone therapy is used to treat menopausal symptoms and reduce osteoporosis (thinning bones). You will need a prescription for this type.
However, we recommend you see your doctor or healthcare provider annually for an exam and blood work to ensure the medication agrees with your body. Traditional HRT can be administered as a pill or a vaginal ring.
Bio-identical HRT
Bio-identical menopausal hormone therapy is made specifically for each individual. Administered in various modalities.
While it does take longer to see full effects from this type of treatment, it is safer than traditional HRT. An example is bio-identical pellet therapy.
Bio-identical pellet therapy is a form of hormone replacement therapy for menopause. It restores your body’s natural hormones by using plant extracts that contain female sex hormones when used in conjunction with progesterone and testosterone.
A clinician will place a small implant under your skin, usually on the lower part of your buttocks or abdomen. The implant will slowly release these hormones directly into your tissues, bypassing your liver.
Patients can expect to receive an average dosage equivalent from 90 -120 days for each pellet inserted into their body, depending upon their specific condition and response to therapy.
Benefits Bio-Identical Pellet Therapy:
- Easy and convenient: The implant is quickly and conveniently inserted by a clinician.
- Long-lasting: Compared to oral forms of treatment, the pellets last longer and do not need to be taken daily.
- Safer: The pellet’s ability to bypass the liver and dispense hormones directly into the tissues prevents any possible damage to your liver
- Effective: The bio-identical hormones in the pellet will typically start working in one to three days.
TAKE THIS FREE QUIZ TO FIND OUT IF YOUR HORMONES ARE OUT OF BALANCE
Is Menopausal Hormone Replacement Therapy Safe?
Hormone replacement therapy is a great way to treat menopause symptoms, but it is not suitable for everyone. When speaking about this therapy plan with your doctor, you need to discuss the risks and benefits. It would help if you asked questions like:
- Does hormone replacement therapy have any adverse effects?
- What are the short-term side effects of menopausal HRT treatment plans?
- What are the long-term side effects of menopausal HRT treatment plans?
- How much weight should I expect to lose or gain on hormone replacement therapy, and how quickly will it happen?
- How quickly will I begin to see results from hormone replacement therapy, and how long can I expect them to last?
Consult your doctor before starting any new medication. Even if it’s over the counter, you mustn’t assume anything. Make sure you understand all of the information your doctor provides and ask questions. Your health is vital, so make sure you do not rush any part of this process.
The following are some of the risks associated with hormone replacement therapy:
- In women with a family history of strokes, blood clots, breast cancer, or endometrial cancer, hormone replacement therapy may increase the risk of developing the disease.
- It can cause blood clots in some people, so you must speak to your doctor before starting any new medication plan.
- If you smoke, hormone replacement therapy may increase your cancer risk even more.
Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy At The Resurge Clinic
Menopause can often lead to uncomfortable, embarrassing, and sometimes debilitating symptoms.
Fortunately for many women with menopause, bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is a safe and effective treatment that reduces these symptoms and has other benefits like improving the quality of life and sleep and reducing cardiovascular disease risks.
However, if you’re fed up with the unpleasant effects of menopause, schedule a consultation with The Resurge Clinic to consider hormone replacement therapy right away! We’ll work together to find the right treatment options for your body and your symptoms.
