Hormone replacement therapy is for us who are in the menopausal stages of our life. It uses medications usually containing estrogen to replace the hormones the body no longer produces after menopause. This kind of therapy used to be a standard treatment with menopause symptoms such as hot flashes.
It was even thought to have long-term benefits of reducing the risks of osteoporosis and heart disease. However, during a major clinical trial in 2002, it was found out that there are more risks to the health. It was said that there were more cases of blood clots, breast cancer, stroke and even heart disease for those undergoing the treatment.
Still, the immediate benefits of hormone replacement therapy give relief to menopausal symptoms such as discomfort with intercourse, burning, itching and dryness. It’s just basically one of the many options you can take if you are at that phase in your life. The relief is somehow just short-term, but you can get some kind of protection against colorectoral cancer, heart disease and osteoporosis.
Therefore, if you’re undergoing the natural process of menopause, you will be prescribed with estrogen with progestin, an artificial version of progesterone. The two are prescribed in tandem for this treatment because estrogen alone can increase the dangers of uterine cancer.
However, for those who are experiencing menopause after undergoing hysterectomy can take the estrogen alone. Despite the risks to the health, estrogen is still the primary standard for treating the symptoms of menopause. It really depends on the symptoms you have.
