Menopausal women and postmenopausal women are often keen to rebalance their hormone levels so that they can minimize or avoid the symptoms that are associated with this time of their life. When estrogen and progesterone levels begin to fluctuate during menopause, women often find they experience distressing and uncomfortable symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and loss of libido.
Fortunately, the advanced world of science allows us to rebalance the levels of estrogen by using a technique known as estrogen injection. Continue reading to find out more about it.
How Does it Work?
The estrogen injection will either be given in a bioidentical form or a synthetic form. If it is administered as a synthetic estrogen then the contents will have been created in a lab. If you receive a bioidentical injection, then the estrogen you receive will be identical to that which is produced in the ovaries. Both forms of hormone are administered as an intramuscular injection; although, you can choose to take tablets, use patches, or apply creams instead. The estrogen is absorbed into the body and usually has a quick effect with symptoms normally improving within one to five days.
Will it Help to Stop All Menopausal symptoms?
Although an estrogen injection can help improve the general balance of the hormone, it won't be able to stop all symptoms from occurring. It might, however, help to reduce the severity, duration, or frequency of many menopausal symptoms. It can also help with vaginal dryness, although if you are suffering with itching or burning sensation in the vagina then an alternative treatment maybe better. Hot flashes and vaginal dryness are two of the most common symptoms that persist in the postmenopausal period.
How Often Do You Have to Have an Injection?
Most forms of the estrogen injection involve a quick visit to the doctor's office once a month, although it may vary slightly depending on your doctor and your circumstances.
What Are the Benefits?
The main benefit, of course, is that the injection can rebalance your estrogen levels which can reduce menopause or postmenopause symptoms; the other benefit and the reason why some women will recommend this method is because you only have to deal with your hormone replacement once a month rather than everyday likes patches or creams.
What Are the Disadvantages?
Unfortunately, as with any form of HRT, there are side effects and disadvantages. One disadvantage of the injection is that the hormone is absorbed relatively quickly; although you will have a peak at the start of the month which should see your symptoms decrease, towards the end of the month there is a gradual decline in estrogen levels again. Estrogen injection can cause fluctuations of the hormone. The injection can also interfere with some medications so you should also discuss, at some length, whether this method is right for you.
In regards to the side effects the injection may cause, there are quite a few; although, some people won't suffer from any. The more common side effects include breast pain, vomiting, weight gain or loss, dizziness, irritability, hair loss, leg cramps, swelling or irritation of the vagina, and vaginal discharge. The more serious side effects include bulging eyes, tenderness of the stomach, joint pain, yellowing of the skin, hives and swelling of the face. Estrogen replacement is also said to increase your risk of developing cancer of the ovaries.
Recommendation
Always talk to your doctor before deciding which method of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) you wish to use, because it should be evaluated according to your lifestyle and your personality. However, HRT is not always the safest option. Most symptoms of menopause and postmenopause can be regulated, minimized, or avoided entirely by making some lifestyle changes. Follow the link below to find out more.
