To decide whether or not you should continue using HRT post menopause you must first understand what HRT is and the risks and benefits that are associated with this type of therapy.
What Is HRT?
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a system of medical treatment for surgically menopausal, perimenopausal and to a lesser extent postmenopausal women. It is based on the idea that the treatment may prevent discomfort caused by diminished circulating estrogen and progesterone hormones, or in the case of the surgically or prematurely menopausal, that it may prolong life and may reduce incidence of dementia. It involves the use of one or more of a group of medications designed to artificially boost hormone levels.
The main types of hormones involved are estrogens, progesterone or progestins, and sometimes testosterone. It often referred to as “treatment” rather than therapy.
Advantages of HRT
The largest clinical trial to date that studied the risks involved with an estrogen, progesterone HRT regimen an alarming number of serious health risk were found. These risks include higher rates of heart disease, breast cancer, strokes, blood clots, and abnormal mammograms. These risks increase the longer a woman stays on HRT. Your doctor will be able to tell you if you are at risk to experience these side effects and will be able to guide you through the process of deciding what treatment is best for you.
Disadvantages of HRT
When HRT is administered for a short period of time in the lowest dosage possible it is able to quickly combat symptoms of menopause without the many other risk that accompany HRT. Some of the benefits include relief from hot flashes, mood swings, vaginal dryness, irritability, insomnia, palpitations and joint aches. In some cases women have reported relief from hot flashes and night sweats only three weeks after beginning treatment. After 1-3 months HRT can reverse changes around the vagina and vulva. The knock off effect of easing these symptoms is that women often experience less stress and anxiety in their everyday lives. Systematic HRT can also help women who are think they are prone to osteoporosis fight it before it becomes more serious.
If you want to learn more about HRT and menopause click on the following link and find out about hormones replacement.