How HRT Helps Combat Menopause and Climacteric?

Menopause, the period after climacteric when a woman’s reproductive function ceases, doesn’t go smoothly for everyone. Here’s everything you need to know about hormonal replacement therapy (HRT), an effective tool to “smooth out” menopause.

Background

Typically, female climacteric occurs around the age of 50 and lasts an average of 3-5 years. As with any significant hormonal changes, the onset of menopause comes with symptoms such as headaches, nausea, decreased libido, general lethargy, mood swings, dizziness, and many others.

This is due to the drop in estrogen and progesterone production during menopause. If you don’t want to endure these “joys of life,” hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may help. The aim is to ease menopausal symptoms through pills, creams, or subcutaneous implants.

Benefits

HRT primarily benefits the body by protecting bone tissue, which is crucial because menopause not only results in a hormonal deficit but also a significant loss of calcium. It also helps normalize sleep and reduce irritability, common issues during menopause.

Other positive effects of HRT include:

• Reducing the risk of colorectal cancer
• Lowering the risk of ischemic heart disease
• Decreasing all-cause mortality for women who began HRT during or within 10 years after the onset of menopause

Criticism

However, HRT has many opponents. One of the strongest arguments against it is the increased risk of breast cancer with hormone therapy. However, the correlation between HRT and breast cancer remains a subject of debate in the scientific community. Some studies even report the opposite effect, and there’s no definitive conclusion yet.

Other medical sources also point to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, ovarian cancer, and uterine cancer. Less critical potential side effects of HRT include high blood pressure, uterine bleeding, and bloating.

What You Need to Know

HRT is prescribed only by a doctor. Depending on the circumstances, it may be a short-term therapy lasting several months or long-term for several years. It’s essential not to discontinue treatment on your own—this not only negates the benefits of HRT but can also harm your health.

When deciding whether HRT is right for you, consider important factors such as your predisposition to breast cancer or ischemic disease. Consult your doctor—if the risk is minimal, HRT might be a viable option. Your doctor will also consider smaller details about your body and, if HRT isn’t suitable, suggest other treatment options.

The main question you should ask yourself: is your menopause so unbearable that you’re willing to take such drastic measures?

After understanding how HRT aids in managing menopause and climacteric symptoms, it’s important to explore effective nutrition and exercise strategies for weight loss.