Our clinic is pleased to announce that we are now offering hormone replacement therapy (HT) to menopausal women. Our client’s well-being and overall health have always been our primary objectives, thus we are delighted to make HT available to you. Is hormone replacement therapy the right fit for you? Before we answer this, let’s discover what menopause is and how it affects the body after women reach a certain age.
Between the ages of 45-55, women will begin to undergo physical changes in their bodies as they approach a different life cycle phase. These changes coincide with a transitionary phase known as menopause. For many women, perimenopausal and postmenopausal symptoms, the two main phases before and after menopause, can be undesirable. Some of these unavoidable symptoms can be challenging and hazardous to long-term health.
Why do we Experience Menopause?
Menopause occurs as a reaction to a woman’s egg supply in the ovaries coming to an end, and thus her menstrual cycle gradually stops. This concludes the years of fertility and the potential for a natural pregnancy. During this time, estrogen and progesterone-two hormones that our bodies naturally produce- decline. The decrease in these two hormones can come with symptoms that can be challenging and cause discomfort.
Estrogen is responsible for thickening the uterine lining, influences calcium use throughout the body, maintains blood cholesterol and maintains overall vaginal health. Progesterone keeps the uterus healthy, regulates blood pressure and helps to balance mood and sleep.
Several symptoms can occur during the phases of menopause due to estrogen and progesterone decline. These include hot flashes, vaginal discomfort, night sweats, irritability and even bone loss. More severe outcomes include mood changes, insomnia and depression. Hormone replacement therapy can effectively help to mitigate symptoms by balancing hormone levels.
How Does Hormone Replacement Therapy Work?
Hormone replacement therapy is a medication that contains female hormones, replacing estrogen (and sometimes progesterone) that the body has stopped making. Women who experience early menopause or have had their ovaries removed can also use HT to balance their hormones. Hormone replacement therapy addresses at least 10 minor symptoms. These include reducing hot flashes, vaginal dryness, night sweats, mood imbalances, bone loss, tooth loss, joint pain, insomnia, and anxiety and has been shown to reduce the death rate in women 50 and over.
HT can also help decrease the risk of serious complications such as osteoporosis, heart disease, stroke, uterine cancer, diabetes and even dementia. The balance of these hormones can heal irregulated metabolisms and protect mental health. Overall, HT can improve the quality of life of women suffering from symptoms that negatively affect their lives.
Is there Anything Else to Know about Hormone Replacement Therapy?
HT is a government-approved medication that is considered mostly safe to use. That being said, there are some potential risks that all female patients should consider. Serious risks can include heart disease, stroke, blood clots and breast cancer. These risks depend largely on a patient’s age and the dosage they receive. Health history and genetics should always be taken into account as well. At safe doses and in the shortest terms necessary, these risks are greatly reduced. Many women safely enjoy the benefits of HT for multiple years to help balance their hormones effectively.
The best practice for receiving a healthy dose of hormone replacement therapy medication to maintain optimal results is to speak to a professional. Perimenopausal and postmenopausal patients will require different things. A qualified medical clinician can determine plans on an individual case-by-case basis. If you’re interested in HT or are curious to learn more, our team of experts is more than happy to assist you with any inquiries. We can help you get the best out of HT to address your personal needs. Please contact us to schedule an appointment.
