Menopause - Common Questions About Hormone Replacement Therapy

Often, females going through menopause have many questions about it related to taking hormone replacement therapy. Menopause can be a perplexing time in a woman's life and a time when they experience much change. Most women feel fatigue and anxiety, and might experience panic attacks and night sweats. To help alleviate these symptoms, hormone replacement therapy is often prescribed.

Synthetic hormone replacement therapy

Hormone replacement therapy is a frequently prescribed medication to assist the easing of menopause symptoms. Synthetic hormones have disadvantages as well as benefits. Women commonly find that after taking replacement therapy for several weeks, symptoms and side effects of menopause occur less frequently. HRT can be given in several different forms. Oral pills, skin patches, injections and vaginal gels are all types of hormone replacement therapy delivery. Women taking replacement hormones are usually given the lowest dose for the shortest possible amount of time.

Side effects of taking hormone replacement therapy

There are both long-term and short-term side effects of undergoing replacement therapy. Women taking these hormones may report one or all of several short-term side effects. These include headaches, fluid retention, excessive vaginal discharge and nausea. Weight gain is also reported, but studies show that taking hormones do not actually bring about weight gain, it is really caused by the slow down in metabolism. In addition, there are long-term effects, some of which are still being studied. Some studies show that taking hormone replacement therapy may lead to a risk of some forms of breast cancer and endometrial cancer.

Benefits of hormone replacement therapy

There are both short and long-term benefits to taking replacement hormones. Most women taking hormones report an overall sense of well being after taking hormone for several weeks. It can reduce panic attacks, vaginal dryness, night sweats, headaches and migraines. Long term benefits of taking hormone replacement therapy exist as well. Women taking hormone have a decreased chance of developing Alzheimer's disease, osteoporosis, and age-related macular degeneration. Women who wish to assuage the unwanted symptoms of menopause should look into taking replacement hormones.

To avoid or not avoid taking replacement hormones?

Women are sometimes talked out of taking hormones. It is true that those who have unexplained vaginal bleeding or a history of endometrial cancer should not take them. Women with suspected breast cancer or a history of breast cancer are also discouraged from taking hormones. Other women who should not take replacement hormones are those with chronic liver disease or those who have a history of blood clots or strokes. Your physician will help you establish if you should or should not take hormone replacement therapy.

Antoinette Boulay is a writer and contributor to fountia.com You can read more there about hormone replacement therapy and other menopause treatments.