Hormone Replacement Therapy: An Introduction
There has been considerable discussion recently regarding hormone therapy to treat
symptoms of menopause. Hormone therapy for
menopause is also referred to as hormone replacement therapy (
HRT).
The lower levels of hormones that occur during menopause may lead to:
To help alleviate these problems, some women receive hormone replacement therapy. The medicines used in hormone replacement therapy contain estrogen or estrogen with progestin (another hormone). Hormone replacement therapy works by replacing the natural estrogen your body loses during menopause.
Like all medicines, hormone replacement therapy has risks and benefits. After reading this article, talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist for more information about this treatment. If you decide to use hormone replacement therapy, use it at the lowest dose possible that provides relief of your menopausal symptoms. Also, only use the therapy as long as needed -- long-term use of hormone replacement therapy can increase the possible risks involved.
Benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormone replacement therapy has been shown to be beneficial in:
- Reducing hot flashes
- Treating vaginal dryness
- Slowing down bone loss
- Decreasing mood swings and depression.
Hormone replacement therapy should not be used to prevent heart attacks, strokes, memory loss or
Alzheimer's disease. It's also important to know that there are other medicines available to help slow down bone loss.