Everything You Need to Know About Menopausal Hormone Therapy

Have you recently been experiencing hot night flashes, mood disorders, or sleep changes? These symptoms indicate low estrogen levels, which primarily occur during menopause. We understand how bothersome these symptoms can be, so we have come up with this post to guide you on Menopausal Hormone Therapy. 

By the end of this post, you will know the benefits of Menopausal Hormone Therapy, the risks involved, and whether it is an excellent option for you. Let’s dive in!

What is Menopausal Hormone Therapy?

Also known as Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) or Post-Menopausal Hormone Therapy, MHT is a treatment option given to women during or after menopause to relieve menopause symptoms and biological changes. Such changes include the decline in estrogen and progesterone production plus weak bones. 

They result in the following symptoms:

• Dry skin, eyes, and mouth
• Feeling like peeing most of the time
• Insomnia and night sweats
• Irritability, mild depression, and mood swings
• Cold and hot flashes
• Vaginal dryness

MHT works to replenish the lost estrogen in a woman’s body through various hormone combinations, offered in the following ways:

EPT(Estrogen Progesterone Treatment)

Also referred to as Progestin Hormone Therapy, EPT is a mixture of estrogen and progesterone in different concentrations. 

Estrogen Therapy 

Estrogen therapy involves taking estrogen alone and suits most women who have undergone a hysterectomy. According to your doctor’s recommendations, it can be taken as either a patch or a pill in low, daily doses. There are also pills, creams, gels, sprays, or vaginal rings. 

To avoid osteoporosis, you should use the least amount of estrogen possible. Doing this will still relieve menopause symptoms. 

Advantages of Using the Estrogen, Progesterone Mixture

• Less risk for women in their 50s or the first decade after menopause (without underlying stroke risk factors) to get a stroke
• Less weight gain
• Using patches and gels poses a minimal danger of blood clots. The risk doubles when using tablets, at only 0.1 percent in women
• There isn’t an increased risk of heart disease if MHT starts within ten years of the beginning of menopause or before 60 years
• Breast cancer with MHT risks is minimal. The risk occurs when you take MHT for a long time but lowers after quitting. Changing your progesterone may further reduce the risk

Vaginal Estrogen Therapy

Vaginal estrogen treatment is suitable for women with symptoms like dryness in the vagina. If you follow its directions, you can use it for a long time. 

SERMs with Estrogen

SERMs (Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators) plus estrogen pills improve bone and breast density. These pills also reduce the risk of acquiring cancer in women without hysterectomy. 

Advantages of Taking Hormone Therapy

There are numerous benefits to using Menopausal Hormone Therapy, including:

• Reducing the chances of contracting colon cancer
• Decreasing the possibility of getting diabetes
• Relieving joint pains
• Increasing the lifespan of women, especially those above 50
• Enhancing mood 
• Strengthening bones and teeth

Who Is Not Eligible?

• If you have liver disease
• If you experience unusual vaginal bleeding
• If you are pregnant
• If you have ever had a heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular diseases
• If you have a history of blood clots

What Are the Side Effects of Hormone Therapy?

Every medication has possible side effects that vary from person to person. Such side effects include:

• Skin irritations when using an estrogen patch
• Skin pigmentation with black or brown spots
• Migraines and headaches
• Heavy breasts hindering the correct interpretation of mammography
• Accumulation of fluid
• Headaches and migraines

These symptoms are usually mild. But if your MHT symptoms are severe, consult with your doctor, who should adjust your doses or treatment methods. Please do not change your treatment or stop taking it altogether before talking to your healthcare provider. Your doctor should also know when you fall sick so they can advise you further. 

Know More About Our Menopausal Hormone Therapy!

Interested in learning more about Menopausal Hormone therapy? Please fill out the form below to contact our team. We will gladly schedule a free discreet consultation to assist you further.