HRT: What You Should Know
Menopause can cause various symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood swings, depression, a reduced sex drive, and an increased risk of osteoporosis and heart disease. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a medical treatment that aims to relieve some of these symptoms by replacing the hormones that the body no longer makes.
Here is some information about HRT to help you better understand it.
Types of Hormone Replacement Therapy
There are two main types of HRT: systemic and local. Here is some information about each type.
Systemic
Systemic HRT involves taking estrogen or a combination of estrogen and progestin (a synthetic form of progesterone) in the form of pills, patches, gels, creams, sprays, or rings. Systemic treatment can treat most of the menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, depression, and reduced sex drive. it can also prevent bone loss and reduce the risk of fractures in postmenopausal women.
Local
Local HRT involves applying estrogen directly to the vagina in the form of creams, tablets, or rings. It can treat the vaginal and urinary symptoms of menopause, such as dryness, itching, burning, and pain during intercourse. In addition, the localized application minimizes the amount of estrogen absorbed by the body and has fewer side effects than systemic HRT.
The type and dose of HRT that is best for each woman depends on several factors, such as her age, medical history, symptoms, preferences, and risks. A doctor can help determine the most suitable option for each case.
Benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy
HRT can offer many benefits for women who suffer from severe or bothersome menopausal symptoms. Some of the benefits include the following.
Relief From Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
Hot flashes are sudden feelings of heat that spread over the face and upper body. They can cause sweating, flushing, palpitations, and anxiety. HRT can reduce the frequency and severity of these symptoms by restoring the hormonal balance in the body.
Relief From Vaginal Dryness
Vaginal dryness is a common symptom of menopause that occurs due to the decrease in estrogen levels. It can cause discomfort, itching, burning, inflammation, and pain during intercourse. It can also increase the risk of infections and urinary problems. HRT can improve the moisture, elasticity, and thickness of the vaginal tissues by stimulating the production of natural lubricants.
Relief From Mood Swings and Depression
Mood swings are sudden changes in emotional state that can range from happiness to sadness to anger. Depression is a persistent feeling of sadness, hopelessness, or loss of interest in activities. Both mood swings and depression can affect a woman's quality of life and relationships during menopause. HRT can stabilize mood and improve mental health by regulating the levels of serotonin and other neurotransmitters in the brain.
If you would like to learn more about HRT, contact a physician in your local area.
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