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Why do we need hormone replacement therapy?

Hormone replacement therapy is primarily used to treat the consequences of Menopause. During menopause, some females experience lower levels of estrogen. That triggers various symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and dryness of private parts. In this article, we will discuss the importance of hormone replacement therapy in lowering the severity of menopause and the risk factors associated with this mode of treatment. Also, Check out for more info psychiatrist near me.

Hormonal replacement therapy: 

Estrogen and progesterone are the hormones that are produced by the female body. These two hormones hold significance in female reproductive characteristics. 

Role of Estrogen:

  • It helps in thickening the lining of the uterus. 
  • Maintains the blood cholesterol level. 
  • It helps counter osteoporosis. 
  • It also aids in regulating the level of the minerals like calcium in the body.

Role of Progesterone:

  • It also helps in improving cholesterol levels. 
  • Maintains mood swings. 
  • It helps in the implantation of the fertilized egg during pregnancy. 
  • Improves sleep patterns. 

During menopause, women’s bodies reduce the production of these hormones. Lower productions of these hormones bring multiple symptoms includes: 

  • Hot flashes 
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Mood swings
  • Sleep distortions or insomnia
  • Frequent urination 
  • Osteoporosis 
  • Dryness of skin 

Hormonal replacement therapy helps in boosting the level of these hormones, which eventually lowers the risk of these symptoms. 

Types of hormone replacement therapy: 

Unusually hormone replacement therapy focuses on replacing the estrogen hormone which is no longer produced by the female body when reaching a certain age. There are two major types of hormonal replacement therapy. 

Estrogen therapy:

In this therapy, doctors recommend taking a low dose of estrogen through pills, rings, skin patches, gel, and spray. It will boost estrogen levels in the body and reduce the adverse effect of menopause. 

Estrogen-Progesterone/Progestin Therapy: 

In some cases, doctors are prescribed to take the dose of estrogen with progesterone or with progestin. Particularly in women who haven’t removed their uterus. 

Because estrogen alone can stimulate the growth of the lining of the uterus. Which enhances the chance of endometrial cancer. So a balanced dose of estrogen with progesterone and progestin can significantly reduce the symptoms of menopause. 

Risks of Hormonal Replacement Therapy :

Hormonal Replacement Therapy helped many women in decreasing the side effects of menopause. While there are some risk factors associated with this treatment. 

As discussed earlier in women who still haven’t removed their uterus. The chances of endometrial cancer are high when estrogen doses are taken. The best remedy is to take the boosters of estrogen with progesterone or progestin. 

Another side effect of this therapy is that it increases the chances of heart attack and stroke.

It also increased the risk of gallstones and dementia (only if therapy started during  midlife) 

Acne, bloating, headaches, breast tenderness, and depression. And long-term use also puts you at risk of breast cancer. Moving further, now we will discuss the risk associated with HRT in detail.

Bottom Line: 

The decision of taking hormonal replacement therapy is not simple. After all the assessment we learned that this therapy is not for everyone. Especially for the females who have some serious health complications. Before taking the therapy, make an appointment with a psychiatrist and consult with your doctor about the factors which can affect it like age, gender, family history, lifestyle, and severity of the symptoms caused by menopause. 

It is essential to follow all the precautionary measures and develop a mandatory understanding before this treatment. Moreover, there are some raising concerns about hormonal replacement therapy, Although we can’t say that it is completely risk-free but it is considered one of the most effective treatments for menopausal symptoms as well as osteoporosis. 

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