Hormone Replacement Therapy

July 14, 2022

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Menopausal women experience symptoms ranging from mood swings to severe heat flashes. A woman’s quality of life is affected when those symptoms are particularly bad. Routine activities such as sex, going out, or eating and drinking become a struggle. If you are a woman experiencing symptoms of menopause, hormone replacement therapy could be a solution for you. We’re here to educate you on hormonal therapy and the risks and rewards that come with it. Make sure you’re doing what’s best for you by working with your doctor and healthcare practitioners before making any decisions.

What is Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)?

Hormone Replacement Therapy supplements female hormone levels in a woman’s body. During menopause, women experience rising and falling hormones – particularly estrogen. HRT is a method to help regulate estrogen and help relieve menopausal symptoms; it is also beneficial in reducing the likelihood of osteoporosis. HRT is available in many forms: pills, creams, skin patches, rings, gels, and sprays.

There are two primary types of hormone replacement therapy:

Systemic Hormone Therapy: This type of HRT uses a higher dose of estrogen that is easily absorbed throughout the whole body. It can be used to treat any of the common menopausal syptoms.
Low-Dose Vaginal Products: These products have a lower dose of estrogen that is more targeted. It is focally used to treat vaginal and urinary symptoms related to menopause.

One thing to keep in mind is that HRT is not for everyone. There is never a reason to feel pressured into HRT. While it may be beneficial to some, it is in no way necessary for menopausal women. You and your doctor should discuss if HRT is right for you.

Benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy

The biggest benefit of HRT is its ability to relieve menopausal symptoms that women often experience. Symptoms that are ameliorated by HRT include:

Moderate or severe hot flashes - both night sweats and hot flashes are effectively treated by systemic estrogen therapy.
Vaginal discomfort - estrogen can reduce vaginal dryness, itching, burning, and overall discomfort. HRT is reputed to assist by restoring sexual pleasure and desire; reducing symptoms of menopause helps to increase pleasure through sexual intercourse.
Early menopause and estrogen deficiency - if you are a woman experiencing early menopause, HRT can benefit you by regulating your estrogen levels. It also reduces health risks ranging from osteoporosis, heart disease, strokes, dementia, and mood swings related to surgical removal of the uterus.
Preventing bone loss or fractures - while this isn’t a symptom of menopause, HRT can be used to help prevent bone thinning diseases such as osteoporosis.

Risks of Hormone Replacement Therapy

While there are many benefits to HRT, it is best to talk to a medical professional about the risks as well. HRT’s risks and benefits vary from person to person - make sure you are educated about what HRT will do for you before making any decisions.

Hormone Replacement Therapy can be risky for people with some preexisting conditions:

Heart Disease and Stroke - some forms of HRT can increase the risk of strokes and heart disease in women. Typically women over 60 years of age are more likely to suffer from these risks than younger women.
Blood Clots - specifically HRT taken as hormone pills can increase a woman’s risk of blood clots.
Breast Cancer - combined HRT (HRT with progesterone) has a chance of increasing the risk of breast cancer in women. However, HRT with only estrogen has little to no chance of increasing the risk of breast cancer.

Hormone Replacement Therapy risks vary from woman to woman. Some common variants to be aware of include:

Age: Women older than 60, or more than 10 years post-menopause, have a higher risk of experiencing one of the above health conditions.
Type of HRT: Estrogen by itself vs. estrogen with progesterone have different risk percentages and factors. Talk to your doctor about these risks and be aware of what works best for you. Unless you have had a hysterectomy, you should be likely taking HRT that has both estrogen and progesterone in it. Taking estrogen by itself if you have a uterus can cause more risks to you.
History of Health: Your inherent genetic risk toward the above conditions can have a large impact on how at risk you would be when taking HRT. Make sure you are aware of your family’s medical history in order to make an informed decision about whether or not HRT might be right for you.

Natural Ways to Reduce Menopausal Symptoms

Hormone replacement therapy is not the only solution if you are experiencing severe menopausal symptoms. If you decide that HRT is not for you, there are still some ways you can start to relieve symptoms of menopause. Be sure to research these products and be aware of what works for your body.

Making certain changes to your lifestyle can help improve menopausal symptoms as well. Keeping up with a healthy diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking and alcohol consumption and practicing meditation are great ways to help your body stay healthy.

Rosebud Woman Honor Balm

Honor Everyday Balm has been proven to be extremely effective for menopausal women, women who have yet to reach menopause (perimenopause) and those who already experienced it. Honor Everyday Balm is an award winning intimate moisturizer that is beneficial in addressing vaginal dryness, improving skin density and creating daily moisture for the inner and outer labia. It doubles as an intimate lubricant for couples or for you to enjoy by yourself. Honor Everyday Balm is an excellent solution for menopausal dryness, or as an additional healthy moisturizer for your vaginal area.

Know Your Body

The bottom line when it comes to Hormone Replacement Therapy is that, ultimately, you have to do what is right for your body. Educate yourself and speak extensively with your doctor about your risks and benefits to take the best care of you.