Hormone therapy is used to treat symptoms of menopause. One or more female hormones, commonly estrogen and progestin and sometimes testosterone are used in Hormone replacement therapy.
Symptoms of menopause
It include hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood swings, sleep disorders, and decreased sexual desire.
What is hormone therapy
Hormone therapy comes as a pill, patch, injection, vaginal cream, tablet, or ring. Hormone therapy may help relieve some of the bothersome symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness and pain with intercourse. The hormone estrogen protects against thinning of the bones.
How to decide for hormone therapy
You and your doctor should decide whether hormone therapy is right for you. The key is to weigh the risks of taking hormone therapy against the benefits that you might have from taking these hormones. Every woman is different. Your doctor should be aware of your entire medical history before prescribing hormone therapy.
At this time, short-term use (up to 5 years) of hormone therapy at the lowest possible dose to treat the symptoms of menopause still appears to be safe for many women.
Positives of Hormone Replacement Therapy
It provides relief from following symptoms of Menopause
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Sleep difficulties
- Vaginal dryness
- Anxiety
- Improves Bone Density
Generally tot flashes and night sweats ware reduces of couple of year treatment.
Hormone therapy Risks
Blood clot, Cancer, Cardiac diseases, Stroke, Gallbladder diseases
Side effects of Hormone therapy
- Bloating
- Breast soreness
- Headaches
- Mood swings
- Nausea
- Water retention
Changing the dose or form of hormone therapy may help reduce these side effects. Some women have irregular bleeding when they start taking hormone therapy. Changing the dose often eliminates this side effect. Close follow-up with your doctor is important when you have any unusual bleeding.