Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

Hormones are essential to the body’s healthy functioning; they move between organs and cells, transferring messages and ensuring regulation of key functions. Some hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, fulfill vital roles related to menstruation and pregnancy.

Changes in hormone levels can seriously affect female health, especially during and after menopause. Menopause indicates the end of the reproductive years; during this time, the female body undergoes significant changes and the ovaries shut down permanently. These changes prompt fluctuations in hormone levels which can result in a series of unpleasant symptoms.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is just one way of treating symptoms.

The following information will help women get familiar with hormone replacement therapy, the different types women can use, the side effects it is said to have in menopausal women, and alternative options for them.

About Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hormone replacement therapy introduces outside hormones into the body. It addresses natural hormone deficiency and provides relief from problematic menopausal symptoms.

There are various types of HRT: Combined HRT, Continuous Combined HRT, Natural HRT and Synthetic HRT. Each type poses risks and side effects. Bear in mind that HRT has been linked to risk of cancer, heart disease, and other serious conditions.

HRT is available the following forms: creams, pills, drops, pellets, patches, gels, nasal sprays, implants, pessaries and vaginal rings.

Click the following link to learn more about hormone replacement therapy or keep reading to find out about the most common hormones used in replacement therapy.

Common hormones for replacement therapy

Since they are the most important hormones present in women´s bodies, the three main hormones replaced during HRT are:

• Estrogen
• Progesterone
• Testosterone

Click the following link to learn more common hormones for replacement therapy or keep reading to find out about estrogen hormone replacement therapy.

Estrogen Replacement Therapy (ERT)

Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) is the introduction of external estrogen into a woman's body. ERT is normally given to women who have undergone a surgical procedure such as a hysterectomy.

Most of the time, estrogen is combined with progesterone to create a compound hormone replacement therapy. This combined form of the hormone is known as conjugated estrogen.

Estrogen Replacement Therapy Side Effects

Due to the fact that the majority of estrogen used in ERT is not generated by a woman's own body, there are certain dangers and reactions that can occur. Estrogen excess caused by estrogen replacement therapy has been linked to increased risk of cancer and abnormal blood clotting.

Possible side effects of ERT include:

• Headaches
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Cramping
• Breakthrough bleeding or spotting

Click the following link to learn more estrogen replacement therapy or keep reading to find out about progesterone replacement therapy.

Progesterone Replacement Therapy

Women who are pregnant or going through perimenopause will experience fluctuating progesterone levels. PRT is a way of regulating progesterone levels in the body and boosting low levels by introducing external progesterone into the body.

Progesterone Replacement Therapy Side Effects

PRT has been reported to raise the risk of developing blood clots or breast cancer or suffering a heart attack or stroke.

Use of synthetic progesterone increases risk of cancer, abnormal menstrual flow, depression, and fluid retention. Doctors are therefore more likely to prescribe natural progesterone.

There are also a range of side effects related to PRT. Some of the milder side effects include:

• Headaches
• Fluid retention
• Weight gain
• Skin spotting
• Asthma

Click the following link to learn more progesterone replacement therapy or keep reading to find out about testosterone replacement therapy.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy

Testosterone is a sex hormone that boosts strength, appetite, well-being, sex drive, and mental acuity. Like estrogen and progesterone, testosterone fluctuates in relation to other hormones.

When testosterone levels decrease, women may experience emotional changes, lethargy, and loss of libido. Many women turn to Testosterone Replacement Therapy for treatment.

Doctors rarely prescribe stand-alone testosterone for women. Instead, they recommend a combination of all three hormones if testosterone levels are too low.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy Side Effects

As with ERT and PRT, women undergoing TRT are prone to side effects. The following have all been linked to TRT in women, particularly those in postmenopause:

• Increase in "bad" cholesterol (LDL)
• Decrease in "good" cholesterol (HDL)
• Unexplained fatigue
• Mood changes
• Fluid Retention

Click the following link to learn more testosterone replacement therapy or keep reading to find out about hormone replacement therapy and menopause.

Hormone Replacement Therapy and Menopause

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) works by adding hormones to the body and boosting hormone levels. During menopause, HRT provides many benefits to women including:

• Relief from hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood swings, and loss of libido.
• Reduced risk of osteoporosis.
• Reduced risk of bowel cancer.

Despite HRT’s effectives, however, substituting synthetic hormones for natural ones can increase the risk of developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer, stroke, blood clots, DVT, gallstones, and endometrial cancer (especially if used for prolonged periods of time). Therefore, it is recommended HRT be used for only a short time and at a low dosage. Common side effects of HRT include headache, nausea, diarrhea, and irregular periods.

Click the following link to learn more hormone replacement therapy and menopause or keep reading to find out about natural hormone replacement therapy.

Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy uses hormones that are plant-derived and equal in chemical structure and function to those produced naturally within the body. They differ from traditional HRT treatments in that bioidentical hormones are derived from plants as opposed to synthetic chemicals.

The scientific community has only recently begun to research the risks and side effects of bioidentical hormones. Currently, the stance of the FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research is that bioidentical hormones have not been properly tested and that studies concerning long-term use need to be conducted.

Click the following link to learn more natural hormone replacement therapy or keep reading to find out about alternatives to hormone replacement therapy.

Alternatives to Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

Lifestyle Changes
Employing stress-reduction techniques, a diet rich in estrogenic foods, and a more active lifestyle will have positive effects on hormonal imbalance.

Alternative Medicine
Alternative medicines involve little or no risk and are the safest alternative to hormone replacement therapy. Herbal remedies and acupuncture are leading types of alternative medicine.

There are two types of herbs that can work as more natural forms of hormone replacement therapy: phytoestrogenic and non-estrogenic herbs. Unlike phytoestrogenic herbs, non-estrogenic versions don't contain any estrogen. They stimulate natural hormone production by inducing the optimal functioning of the pituitary and endocrine glands. Thus, non-estrogenic herbs like Macafem are the safest and most natural way to treat hormonal imbalance.

Click this link for more information about alternatives to hormone replacement therapy.

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