Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is widely used to treat menopausal and peri-menopausal women suffering from low estrogen levels. Estrogen is produced by the ovaries in women and by the adrenal glands in men. But what happens when the body no longer has sufficient amounts of estrogen after menopause?
The menopause is the cessation of a woman’s menstrual cycle and the release of eggs from the ovaries. It is usually defined as the point in time 12 months after the last period. Post menopause, the female body can no longer produce estrogen and progesterone, resulting in a wide variety of symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, water retention, difficulty sleeping anxiety and more. At this stage, HRT is typically prescribed to help relieve the symptoms.
The idea of getting older can cause a considerable amount of worry. If we do not do anything, we will start to lose our muscles, hair, vision, and sex drive, until eventually, we will be nothing but a wrinkled, grey, and fat older man! Fortunately, some drugs and procedures can help us in this fight against aging, and there are also a few things you can do to make sure that you will not be one of those unlucky people who will become old and wrinkled before your time.
Hormone Replacement Therapy Side Effects
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) uses hormones derived from plants (such as soy, progesterone, estradiol, and testosterone) that assist in producing specific female or male hormones in the body. HRT is used to treat the symptoms of low testosterone in men and low estrogen in women.
In women Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is a therapy used to treat the symptoms of menopause, like hot flushes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness, as well as help to ease the symptoms of osteoporosis. HRT is mainly used to help women who are unable to produce the proper amount of estrogen in their bodies due to age.
Side Effects of HRT to Progestogen: HRT regimens that include estrogen and a progestogen, like Provera, will lead to the release of these hormones into the body, leading to adverse effects for some women. These side effects may include weight gain, breast tenderness, insomnia, headaches, abdominal bloating, decreased libido, and vaginal infections.
In men, Testosterone replacement therapy can help older men with low testosterone levels, thus reducing their risks of heart disease, diabetes and death.
Side effects of Testosterone replacement therapy can include oily skin, fluid retention and an increased risk of blood clots.
Benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormone Replacement Therapy is a treatment in which synthetic hormones are used to reduce the symptoms of menopause, either by replacing the lack of natural hormones in the body or by suppressing the production of those that are present. HRT is often used in the treatment of menopausal symptoms, including hot flushes, night sweats, dryness, insomnia, and depression. The most commonly used synthetic hormones include estrogens and progestins.
Thousands of women every year turn to hormone therapy as a way to naturally take the place of birth control pills and other methods of birth control. Hormone therapy comes in many different forms, from over-the-counter forms to prescription medications to shots, so you can find a method that works for you.
Recently, there has been a lot of talk about hormone replacement therapy. And for a good reason. HRTs like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone have been used as part of a range of treatments for conditions such as hypogonadism, menopause, and breast cancer. Does it work? The answer is a resounding yes. In addition to obvious benefits such as preventing osteoporosis and heart disease, HRTs can also help improve sleep and mood and ease the symptoms of menopause, amongst others.
In conclusion, HRT is a treatment used to mitigate the effects of aging, menopause, and the subsequent decline in the production of certain hormones in women. In the past, women on HRT were advised to have a period once a month; however, this is no longer the case, and today, women have often been prescribed hormones for a lifetime. Many studies claim that hormone replacement therapy is a safe treatment for women and a more accessible and cost-effective alternative to surgical and medical menopause treatment. But, with all the benefits that HRT provides, are there any disadvantages?