It’s no denying that periods are uncomfortable for many women, but menopause (a time when your periods stop permanently and you can no longer get pregnant) is uncomfortable for almost all women especially due to its symptoms.
Menopause can occur due to naturally declining reproductive hormones, surgical removal of the ovaries, primary ovarian insufficiency, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. The uncomfortable symptoms of menopause, such as irregular periods, vaginal dryness, hot flashes, and mood changes can vary from individual to individual.
Some women don’t require treatment for menopause symptoms, while others who experience severe symptoms may need it. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is considered one of the most effective treatments for menopause symptoms.
Here, we’ll talk about what HRT is, the different types of HRT, and who is eligible for hormone replacement therapy.
What Is Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Hormone replacement therapy refers to medications that contain female hormones. As the name suggests, the hormones you take during hormone replacement therapy replace the estrogen your body stops making during menopause.
This means the hormones refill the out-of-stock hormones and treat uncomfortable symptoms of menopause, including vaginal dryness and hot flashes.
What Are the Types of Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Hormone replacement therapy has two different types of therapy: estrogen therapy and estrogen-progesterone therapy.
- Estrogen Therapy
This therapy involves the use of estrogen alone, but in low doses. Estrogen may be prescribed as a vaginal ring, cream, gel, or spray, or can be taken as a pill and patch. Lower doses of estrogen not only prevent menopausal symptoms, but also prevent osteoporosis. It is important to note that estrogen alone is prescribed for menopausal women who have had their uterus removed (hysterectomy).
- Estrogen-Progesterone Therapy
Also known as combination therapy, this therapy is prescribed for menopausal women who have not had a hysterectomy. The estrogen is used along with progesterone or progestin (progesterone-like medication) because estrogen alone can stimulate the growth of the uterus lining and thus increase the risk for endometrial cancer. So, combination therapy keeps the symptoms at bay while reducing the risks for endometrial cancer at the same time.
Who Is Eligible for Hormone Replacement Therapy?
As with any other type of treatment for menopause, hormone replacement therapy also comes with some risks, which is why you should see a doctor to find out if HRT is suitable for you. Your doctor will assess your overall health, evaluate your symptoms and their severity, and consider the benefits vs risks of HRT to determine if the therapy is right for you.
You are eligible for HRT if you:
- Have moderate to severe hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause
- Need to prevent bone loss
- Experienced early menopause (before age 45, due to surgical removal of ovaries)
- Don’t have breast or endometrial cancer
- Don’t have a history of stroke, heart attack, or other such condition
- Haven’t had blood clots and liver disease
