Hormone replacement therapy is a medical process that is sometimes prescribed for symptoms of menopause. One treatment used for this is a combination of the synthetic hormones estrogen and progestogen.
This therapy has unique effects upon each unique individual, because every woman has different amounts of hormone levels in her body. One woman may find some relief of menopause symptoms, while another might find that her symptoms seem to be worse than before the therapy.
There are also some women who may experience negative side effects that are more bothersome than the original problems.
Hormone replacement therapy meds are delivered in various ways. There are the usual pills, which are swallowed, patches, which are worn on the skin, creams and gels which are applied to the body. Lastly there are also suppositories that are used if vaginal dryness is a problematic symptom.
Some of the symptoms that may be helped by hormone replacement therapy include:
Hot flashes
Mood swings
Sleep problems
Vaginal dryness
Skin tone and wrinkles
Collegen levels
Bone density
Synthetic hormones may also have an effect upon the levels of testosterone in the body. A doctor will test these levels as well as monitor the function of the heart, liver, etc.
Cautions and Warnings
Synthetic hormones are believed to have the potential for some serious potential side effects to particular individuals over time. Some studies suggest the potential health risks may not be worth the potential benefits.
Not everyone can benefit from synthetic hormone replacement therapy so if you are considering or using this therapy, be sure to talk to your doctor about any and every symptom or side effect, question and concern.