Hormone replacement therapy, more commonly known as postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy or menopause hormone replacement therapy, is a treatment used to counter symptoms associated with the natural aging process associated with the onset of menopause in women. Typically, testosterone therapy for women is recommended for women approaching menopause and experiencing hot flashes, night sweats, decreased sex drive, or other symptoms that occur as the body naturally decreases its production of estrogen. During menopause, the ovaries slowly stop producing an adequate amount of estrogen, which leads to a number of symptoms. These symptoms can be treated with hormone replacement therapy which, when paired with healthy lifestyle choices, can help delay the aging process and avoid the common side effects of menopause such as hot flashes, night sweats, decreased sex drive, and depression.
The two main forms of hormone replacement therapy are synthetic hormones or hormone insufficiencies caused by chronic disease or injury. Systemic estrogen therapies occur when one or more specific deficiencies are addressed simultaneously. Common deficiencies include low levels of vitamin D, essential fatty acids, calcium, and potassium. Other factors that cause a systemic deficiency include chronic inflammation, systemic illness, and hypoglycemia.
Hormone replacement therapy has also been applied to certain types of cancers. Some cancers have hormone-receptors that may respond to estrogen. Because of this, some researchers have examined the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy for women with breast, cervical, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers. These studies suggest that women who undergo hormone replacement therapy early in their cancer may delay the progression of the disease, possibly allowing time to initiate therapy and pursue clinical trials aimed at stopping or treating cancer. Similarly, women with prostate cancer who were treated with hormone replacement therapy after the disease had spread to other parts of the body were found to have lower chances of relapsing later on.
Some researchers also examined the effects of hormone replacement therapy on women using hRT during perimenopause. They found that these women increased their chances of having vaginal menopause and vaginal bleeding. However, these women did not experience any significant changes in bone density or overall health. The study is relatively small and there are too many uncertainties to draw any conclusions from it.
There are still many unknowns regarding hormone replacement therapy. The main concern is whether taking even a low dose can cause an overdose that could lead to severe symptoms such as depression, fatigue, and anxiety. It is also unknown whether low doses can help alleviate symptoms of certain diseases that affect the cardiovascular system. The length of time that a person takes the prescribed medication could affect the risks and benefits of using hRT.
Researchers know that BHRT for women is an effective way to relieve menopausal symptoms. However, they are unsure about the long-term health risks associated with this method. They recommend that women discuss the risks and benefits of using hormones with their doctor. This way, both parties can make an informed decision for the woman's safety and the doctor's care. Hormone therapy is often prescribed by doctors when other methods have failed. Check out this post for more details related to this article: https://www.encyclopedia.com/medicine/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/natural-hormone-replacement-therapy.
