There are three main reasons doctors would tell a woman she should get a hysterectomy. These reasons are to save the life of a woman, correct serious problems that interfere with normal functions, or to improve the quality of a woman's life. If you have decided for one of these reasons that you will be getting a hysterectomy, and are considering hormone replacement therapy, then you should fully understand its risks and benefits before moving forward with your decision.
Risks of HRT
In the largest clinical trial to date that studied the risks involved with an estrogen-progesterone HRT regimen, an alarming number of serious health risks 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.
Benefits 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 risks 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-on 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 are concerned about the side effects a hysterectomy is going to have on your life, you should discuss these concerns with your doctor and he will be able to help you decide if HRT will be able to help you overcome the side effects of a hysterectomy. It can be a difficult decision to make, and only with the help of a medical professional will you be able to make your best decision.
Click on the following link if you want to learn more about other natural hormones in menopause.