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Hormone replacement therapy, HRT, is a common indication for people who have reached menopause and are struggling with associated symptoms. Menopause is a period when a woman transitions from one stage in their life to another due to physiological factors. On average, this milestone usually occurs between the age of forty and fifty years. At this point, the person may begin to experience hot flushes, night sweats and vaginal dryness. Menopause may, however, come much earlier for women whose ovaries have been removed for one reason or another. There are a number of things on hormone replacement therapy St Petersburg FL women need to understand if considering this treatment.
The reproductive hormones, progesterone and oestrogen cease to be secreted when one is in menopause. Being responsible for secondary sexual characteristics such as breast growth, the reduction in hormone concentration causes this to cease and the breasts and the sexual organs begin to contract. The uterine lining shrivels and one can no longer have periods.
Hormone replacement therapy can come in form of progesterone or estrogen only formulations or in combination. The formulations are synthetic but work in a similar manner as the natural forms in the body. The route of administration is usually oral but they can also be administered through the vagina in form of gels, creams or rings. They can also be given as skin patches.
Some menopausal women may not qualify for hormonal therapy because of potential risks associated with the treatment. Before a prescription is made, a detailed history, physical examination and investigations have to be carried out. Those found to have cancer in their reproductive system or have a family history of the same may not qualify for the therapy.
HRT too does have unwanted effects, just like any other form of treatment. The good thing is that most of these effects are temporary. The patient needs to be told clearly that is a possibility so that they do not stop taking the medication. Some of the common side effects include abdominal bloating, breakthrough bleeding, nausea and gaining weight unintentionally.
While most side effects are transient, some can be a nuisance to the patient. One can switch from skin patches to oral drugs if the patches cause too much irritation of from pills to patches if the pills give you persistent headaches. One can stick to the route they are most comfortable with once they identify it.
Menopausal symptoms usually subside once the patient starts taking the drugs. The route of administration depends on the dominant symptoms. For instance, vaginal creams are better if the main complaint is vaginal dryness and pain during sex. Generally, one begins to see a difference within one to three months of using medication. They will begin to notice that their skin and hair has improved in appearance. Also, susceptibility to bone pain and fractures will be greatly reduced.
At the end of the day, it is important to look at the pros and cons of this therapy before deciding to use it. And when you do use them, wisdom requires that you do not abuse them. This means that you take the minimum dose necessary to achieve relief of symptoms.
The reproductive hormones, progesterone and oestrogen cease to be secreted when one is in menopause. Being responsible for secondary sexual characteristics such as breast growth, the reduction in hormone concentration causes this to cease and the breasts and the sexual organs begin to contract. The uterine lining shrivels and one can no longer have periods.
Hormone replacement therapy can come in form of progesterone or estrogen only formulations or in combination. The formulations are synthetic but work in a similar manner as the natural forms in the body. The route of administration is usually oral but they can also be administered through the vagina in form of gels, creams or rings. They can also be given as skin patches.
Some menopausal women may not qualify for hormonal therapy because of potential risks associated with the treatment. Before a prescription is made, a detailed history, physical examination and investigations have to be carried out. Those found to have cancer in their reproductive system or have a family history of the same may not qualify for the therapy.
HRT too does have unwanted effects, just like any other form of treatment. The good thing is that most of these effects are temporary. The patient needs to be told clearly that is a possibility so that they do not stop taking the medication. Some of the common side effects include abdominal bloating, breakthrough bleeding, nausea and gaining weight unintentionally.
While most side effects are transient, some can be a nuisance to the patient. One can switch from skin patches to oral drugs if the patches cause too much irritation of from pills to patches if the pills give you persistent headaches. One can stick to the route they are most comfortable with once they identify it.
Menopausal symptoms usually subside once the patient starts taking the drugs. The route of administration depends on the dominant symptoms. For instance, vaginal creams are better if the main complaint is vaginal dryness and pain during sex. Generally, one begins to see a difference within one to three months of using medication. They will begin to notice that their skin and hair has improved in appearance. Also, susceptibility to bone pain and fractures will be greatly reduced.
At the end of the day, it is important to look at the pros and cons of this therapy before deciding to use it. And when you do use them, wisdom requires that you do not abuse them. This means that you take the minimum dose necessary to achieve relief of symptoms.
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