Scientists have been saying that age at menopause is a gauge for longevity. That is to say, menopause directly impacts how long you live.
It’s a critical and often extremely uncomfortable time for women over the age of 40. If you or a loved one is going through menopause, know that there are treatment options for the associated symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats.
Are you tired of treatments that don’t seem to be working, or tired of seeing the aging women in your life go suffering through menopause? Maybe you’ve implemented the lifestyle and diet changes advised by your GP, but don’t feel like it’s stopping hot flashes?
Hormone replacement therapy may be a good choice for you. Stay with us to learn how this treatment can make dealing with menopause a lot more bearable.
The Role of Hormones
Doctors believe that the changing hormone levels cause hot flashes as ovaries’ functionality declines as women age. The ovaries produce less estrogen and progesterone over time, contributing to uncomfortable symptoms lasting many years.
It’s no wonder that women who have hysterectomies with ovary removal report “aging faster” because of imbalanced hormones. In those cases, hormone therapy is needed to combat the sudden lack of hormone production by the ovaries.
Often, women will find that hormone replacement therapy or HRT alleviates other symptoms. Aside from treating hot flashes, these treatments also target:
- Anxiety
- Weight gain
- Depression
- Vaginal dryness
- Unstable energy levels
As such, they can be comprehensive and holistic solutions for problems women experience during menopause aside from hot flashes.
Treating Hot Flashes with Hormone Replacements
Hot flashes and night sweats can persist for years. What can we do to treat them?
The three common treatments are:
- Lifestyle-based
- Non-hormonal
- Hormonal
If you have tried the first two and found they haven’t been working for you, then you can try hormonal replacement therapy.
The recommended treatment for women who could benefit from hormone stabilization is systemic estrogen therapy or estrogen-progestogen therapy for women who have a uterus.
What is Hormone Replacement Therapy?
What can you expect from this treatment? Are there any risks associated with it?
Hormone treatment can take many forms. You may see it offered as a pill, a ring, patches, implants, gels, or creams.
The treatment will supplement two main hormones: estrogen and progesterone. The estrogen is there to alleviate the symptoms of hot flashes and vaginal dryness, while the progesterone will protect against cancer and osteoporosis. If you are seeking treatment for hot flashes, you will likely be on systemic treatment, which means the drug will travel through your bloodstream.
The possible side effects include:
- Nausea, dizziness, or headaches
- Bloating
- Breast soreness
- Blurry vision
As always, consult with your primary care physician or OB/GYN about whether this treatment is safe for you. If you are experiencing menopausal symptoms, please review treatment options with your doctor on a regular basis to lessen the risk of further complications.
Individualized Treatment
Health and wellness should be entirely holistic. Whether hormone replacement therapy is right for you in terms of treating hot flashes depends on your individual symptoms and medical history.
For candidates that can safely receive HRT, it is safe and can increase their quality of life while lessening the risk for diseases like cancer and osteoporosis while ameliorating the discomfort associated with menopause.
Are you thinking about HRT? You can book a consultation with us today to discuss the next steps.
