Hormone Replacement Therapy: Benefits and Risks

HRT aims to eliminate the symptoms and diseases caused by the lack of estrogen during menopause.

Sometimes it is necessary to take hormones. For example, if you suffer from a lack of progesterone, estrogen or progestin and this causes symptoms to manifest themselves. This is the case, for example, during menopause or in the postmenopause or after an operation, for example for ovarian cancer

becomes necessary. The most common prescription of hormone therapyis done during menopause. The gynecologist decides whether and how to treat and how high the dose of hormones is in order to treat the hormonal disorder professionally and successfully after a comprehensive medical history including the family history and a possible determination of the hormone level. As part of this, the breast is also examined using mammography. In addition, a detailed gynecological examination including a Pap test and the documentation of blood pressure and body weight is carried out. The reason for these detailed investigations is that there are a number of factors that rule out hormone replacement therapy as a treatment method. These include breast cancer, high-grade heart failure, high blood pressure that is resistant to therapy, a blood clotting disorder or deep thrombosis in the leg veins.

Which hormone therapy is recommended during menopause?

Menopausal symptoms are annoying and therefore often an issue. The affected women complain of symptoms such as depressive moods, hot flashes, sweating, depression, sleep disorders, dry skin and vaginal mucosa. And so it’s no wonder that postmenopausal hormone therapyis popular. It is treated with either estrogen and progestin or sequential therapy with estrogen and progestin. In the case of bleeding and menstrual disorders at the beginning of the menopause, preparations with a progestin are administered. Sequential therapy is often prescribed later. The reason for this is that estrogen promotes the growth of the uterine lining. However, there is a risk of uterine cancer developing, which is put into perspective by the progestin administered, as this inhibits the growth of the uterine lining. If a woman no longer has a uterus, it is sufficient to treat it with the hormone estrogen.

What form does hormone replacement therapy take?

The preparations for hormone disorders are available in a wide variety of forms and possible uses. For example in tablet form, but also as a patch, cream or gel. Nasal sprays are also available. You always decide together with your treating doctor which of the prescription forms of application is chosen. The concentration of the hormones should be as low as possible in any case in order to avoid the suffering in the climactericto treat successfully. The respective dose of hormones must also be checked regularly in order to perhaps reconsider the therapy decision and – if the worst comes to the worst – to change it. This is easiest when giving pills, as you can use them to quickly increase or decrease the dosage. Cancellation is also possible within a very short time. In turn, hormone injections are practical, since the treatment only has to be done once a month. However, the amount administered cannot be corrected afterwards. Plasters are particularly gentle on the body. However, these need to be renewed a few times a week. Some women, on the other hand, swear by a nasal spray that allows particularly precise and, above all, fine dosing. However, it must be applied several times a day,

What does hormone replacement therapy do?

Hormone replacement is extremely effective on the lives of menopausal women . Physical changes such as tissue atrophy are prevented, as is inflammation of the urogenital area (urinary and genital organs) and the dreaded osteoporosis is alleviated. In the case of a hormone deficiency, depression often occurs, which can be improved by targeted hormone replacement. And a reduced risk of developing colon cancer has been observed when the missing hormones are supplied.

Risks of hormone replacement therapy

Women who suffer from severe symptoms during the menopause receive more specific information from the doctors. The studies of the last few years have shown the advantages and disadvantages of hormone replacement therapy, which must be taken into account when treating it. The gynecologist recommends the treatment when a deficiency in the hormonal balance has stopped and the associated suffering should stop in order to restore a healthy and high quality of life for the women. New findings show that in the meantime, more attention can be paid to the different medical requirements of patients in treatment. If high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity or arteriosclerosis are possible pre-existing conditions or risk factors,

Many complaints that are characteristic of the menopause can also have been an issue in life before. Irritability, trouble sleeping, depression and physical ailments such as a dry and altered vagina are some of the examples. Hot flashes and sweating are specifically attributable to the menopause, the last natural menstrual period, but not every woman suffers from the symptoms. Before starting treatment with hormones, you should not only look at the typical symptoms during menopause, but also check to what extent mental and social factors could play a role in the suffering. Caring for one’s own parents or growing up children can also affect the pain.

At the beginning of hormone replacement therapy, the body first has to adjust to this new way of supplying the hormones. This can lead to initial difficulties with symptoms such as bleeding, weight gain, gastrointestinal problems or breast tenderness. Women complain most about the unwanted weight gain during menopause. In addition to the hormonal change, the additional water retention in the tissue is mainly responsible for this. However, there is a chance of a positive effect: the increased water retention prevents the formation of wrinkles, the patient appears years younger than before and the skin is supple and soft. Nevertheless, it should be noted that the body’s energy consumption decreases with advancing age. That’s why you should always pay attention to your diet as a precaution for your health. If you have any symptoms, you should ask the doctor treating you for advice. They can help to adjust the female hormones correctly as soon as possible in order to avoid a higher risk immediately.

And there are some other potential downsides to hormone replacement therapy , such as an increased risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. The risk of suffering vascular occlusions such as venous thrombosis, a pulmonary embolism or a stroke is also increased. There is also a risk that the risk of developing dementia is promoted. Especially the pure estrogen preparations are responsible for the increased risk of uterine cancer. If hormone replacement therapy is required and approved by the doctor treating you, it is usually paid for by statutory health insurance companies.