Hormone replacement therapy, commonly referred to as HRT, has been frequently prescribed to women to treat their menopause symptoms. This particular therapy has also been recommended to help women reduce their risk of heart disease and/or osteoporosis. However, Hormone Replacement Therapy does have some significant risks and it has become clearer over the years what those risks are.

Hormone Replacement Therapy is a supplement that uses either estrogen or both estrogen and progesterone to treat women during menopause as well as after. Women’s ovaries naturally produce these two hormones however when menopause begins the body does not produce enough of these hormones, which is why so many women experience symptoms. The HRT supplements allow women to replace some of the lost hormones to reduce the extent of their symptoms.

The body needs to replace these hormones for several reasons. Initially, the hormones prepare the uterus for pregnancy. However, in later years these hormones help in the absorption of calcium as well as assists in the maintenance of healthy cholesterol levels. The vagina also needs estrogen to remain healthy.

As women approach menopause the production of these hormones by the ovaries reduces significantly. When the estrogen levels are lower in the body or fluctuate significantly women begin to experience symptoms like hot flashes and even osteoporosis. Women taking hormone replacement therapy can relive some of their symptoms by supplementing the body with the missing estrogen levels.

Progesterone is also taken by women who have their uterus. The reason why progesterone is taken by these women is because without it their risk of endometrial cancer is higher.

There are two types of hormone replacement therapy. The first is estrogen therapy and this consists only of estrogen therapy. The next is progesterone/progestin hormone therapy with estrogen. This is frequently referred to as a combination therapy.

Women who begin taking hormone replacement therapy for their menopausal symptoms need to be reevaluated every year to ensure they are taking the right amount of the supplement and that they are reducing their risks while maximizing benefits.

Posted in Menopause

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