Women suffering the worst symptoms of menopause will often look anywhere for relief. That's why HRT — with it's often immediate effectiveness in treating symptoms — has held such wide popularity over the years. But while HRT can be safe for short spans of time, its risks compound with time. Want to learn more? Keep reading to find how long you should continue an HRT treatment regimen.
HRT: An Overview
HRT's effectiveness in treating menopause symptoms is well known. By replacing declining levels of hormones like estrogen and progesterone, HRT directly treats the root cause of menopause: hormonal imbalance. But with recent studies painting HRT in a negative light, many women are also aware of the treatment's risks. Taken over long spans of time, this treatment is thought to increase the risk of breast cancer.
Does it Matter How Long I Take It?
While taking HRT comes with its risks from the start, the risk of breast cancer grows the longer you take it. Most doctors recommend HRT for no longer than two years, and many will avoid recommending the treatment at all. If you're considering HRT, make sure you know the risks and have a plan from the start for how long you will continue with the treatment. But remember that there are alternatives. Keep reading to learn more.
Alternatives to HRT
Fortunately, HRT is by no means the only game in town when it comes to treating your menopause symptoms. In fact, the methods most experts agree are most effective are free and can be started right away. We're talking about lifestyle changes. Exercising more and eating healthier are not only good for you, they're good for balancing hormones and treating menopause symptoms as well. Activities to relieve stress can also be effective in treating your symptoms.
Some medical professionals recommend alternative medicines in conjunction with lifestyle changes to treat menopause. These include estrogenic herbs and their non-estrogenic counterparts. Estrogenic herbs contain phytoestrogens, plant compounds that are believed to help balance declining levels of estrogen during menopause. Though these are thought to cause many of the same side effects as HRT. Non-estrogenic herbs are thought to boost the body's natural production of hormones without these side effects.
There is much more information about HRT available online. Go to the following link to learn more about HRT.
