Menopausal Hormone replacement therapy is the main treatment of choice for menopausal women. It usually involves the administration of estrogen or a combination of estrogen and progesterone in pill, patch, vaginal ring, IUD, or cream forms. Estrogen and progesterone are two hormones that play an important role in the regulation of the woman's cycle. Progesterone is usually included in the therapy to prevent the overgrowth of the endometrial lining of the uterus which can raise the woman's risk of uterine cancer.
Menopausal hormone replacement therapy is prescribed to reduce or eliminate the uncomfortable symptoms of menopause. These symptoms arise mainly because of the loss of estrogen, a female hormone which plays a major role in the functions of the heart, the blood vessels, the bones, the uterus, the brain and the urinary system. These symptoms include hot flashes, increased sweating, irritability, difficulty sleeping, which can be caused by hot flashes during the night ( night sweats), as well as vaginal dryness which can lead to urinary tract infections and pain during sexual intercourse.
Who Takes Menopausal Hormone Replacement therapy
Menopausal hormone replacement therapy is taken by women who are undergoing menopause, a condition that is normal in women once they reach their 40s and 50s. Menopausal hormone replacement therapy is also prescribed for women who are undergoing premature or early menopause as a result of disease or hysterectomy, the surgical removal of the uterus, or medications.
Side Effects of Menopausal Hormone Therapy
Common side effects associated with hormone replacement therapy include bleeding, painful breasts, bloating, mood changes and nausea. Other side effects may depend on the route of administration of the hormone. For instance, hormone replacement therapy using a patch may cause skin irritation in some women.
