When your body reaches menopause and no longer produces the hormone estrogen, the night sweats, hot flashes, mood swings and vaginal dryness that occur can have a real impact on your quality of life. But is hormone replacement therapy (HRT) the solution? And if so, what are my options?
If you still have your uterus, HRT is often a combination of progesterone used along with estrogen. Progesterone reduces the risk of endometrial cancer by thinning the lining of the uterus. If you’ve had a hysterectomy, you typically won’t need to take progesterone.
Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) uses the exact molecule that your body makes, so you get true hormone replacement, not hormone substitution. It can be used for hormone replacement therapy after hysterectomy and as a treatment after natural menopause.
Beyond easing your menopause symptoms, other health benefits of hormone replacement therapy can include a reduced risk of developing osteoporosis or breaking a bone, and a lower risk of colon cancer and diabetes. But the treatment is not risk-free; hormone replacement therapy may increase the risk for blood clots and stroke, along with gallbladder and gallstone problems.
Taking combination hormone therapy may slightly increase your risk of developing breast cancer, while estrogen-only therapy could slightly reduce your risk of breast cancer. Studies have not known any clear connection between HRT and heart disease.
There’s no general time limit to how long you can take hormone replacement therapy, but you should use the lowest dose that works for you and your doctor should reevaluate your treatment plan each year.
At Northline Women’s Health Center in Southgate and Brownstown you’ll find the experts in all types of hormone replacement therapy. Schedule an appointment to see how we can help you.
