Hormone replacement therapy can be simply defined as all the medications that contain female hormones for the replacement of those hormones that a female body does not manufacture after menopause. This therapy is a standard treatment to cure menopause symptoms. Although there are some benefits related with HRT, a majority of doctors are less likely to recommend this therapy as the concerns associated with it are much hazardous (especially for elder women). On the other hand, it could prove as a better option for certain women who have low risk factors (Cabot, 1995).
Risks of Hormone Therapy
At the same time as Hormone Replacement Therapy helps a majority of women go through the menopause phase, the same treatment (recommended/non-recommended medicines) is not harmless or undamaging. Till date, some health risks of Hormone Replacement Therapy have been found out. Major risks include increased risk of cancer (endometrial), blood clots, stroke, and breast cancer. In addition, there is a higher chance of heart disease in women who take estrogen-progestin combination therapy. However, such risks are more relevant to aged women as compared to younger women. The estrogen-progestin combination therapy makes the breasts appear denser on mammograms. This makes the detection of breast cancer difficult. In addition, women who take hormone replacement therapies (any type) for more than a year have a higher risk to be diagnosed with breast cancer (Hawkins, 2013).
The hormone therapy risks depend on the employment of estrogen or estrogen-progestin. Other factors that elevate the risks of HRT include the current age and age when menopause starts, the estrogen type and quantity etc. Thus, it is exceedingly necessary for all the women to consider their risk factors before opting for Hormone Replacement Therapy (Hawkins, 2013).
Benefits of Hormone Therapy
Just as Hormone Replacement Therapy has various disadvantages and risks, there are several benefits linked with it. However, those advantages depend on the receipt of the kind of therapy. In this connection, systemic hormone therapy is the most beneficial and helpful treatment. It includes oral medicines, skin patch, gels or sprays. The hot flashes and sweats that trouble a majority of women during their menopause phase are relieved most effectively by the systemic hormone therapy. Estrogens are also found as helpful in providing relief to vaginal menopausal symptoms like dryness, burning, itchiness and pain while having sexual intercourse. Vaginal and urinary symptoms may also be relieved by taking vaginal products that have low dose. They come in all forms including rings, tablets, gels and sprays. However, unlike systemic hormone therapy, low-dose vaginal preparations are not helpful with hot flashes, night frets or osteoporosis (Laucella, 1999).
As far as my opinion is concerned, I think that a woman should decide very carefully before deciding to take Hormone Replacement Therapy. It is also important to check every possible risk factor that could occur with the therapeutic process. However, I personally don’t like the idea of getting one’s natural hormones replaced with a non-natural and synthetic process. This is because artificial replacements like Hormone Replacement Therapy may prove to be very dangerous later in life. Every woman’s body is different so it is never known what kind of effects HRT would have on it. Therefore, it is very important to talk to one’s doctor/physician in detail before deciding to go for Hormone Replacement Therapy.
References
Cabot, S. (1995). Smart Medicine for Menopause: Hormone Replacement Therapy and Its Natural Alternatives. Garden City Park, N.Y.: Avery Pub. Group.
Hawkins, A. L. (2013). What You Must Know About Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy: An Alternative Approach to Effectively Treating the Symptoms of Menopause. Garden City Park, NY: Square One Publishers.
Laucella, L. (1999). Hormone Replacement Therapy: Conventional Medicine and Natural Alternatives, Your Guide to Menopausal Health-Care Choices (3rd ed.). Los Angeles, CA: Lowell House.
