At some point in a fruitful life, a woman will struggle with menopausal symptoms. Low sex drive, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and night sweat are some of the complications you face due to dwindling hormone levels. Dr. Kalpana Desai takes an integrative approach to ameliorating hormonal decline effects using hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The controversial yet widespread medical innovation provides relief for many women. We delve into whether HRT is worth the risks and provide a verdict.
What is hormone replacement therapy?
HRT is a therapy treatment that balances fluctuating hormone levels in your body. Gynecologists, obstetricians, and hormone specialists administer estrogen hormone into your body to treat menopausal symptoms and impart other benefits.
The main types of hormone therapy, systemic hormone therapy, and low-dose vaginal products replace estrogen levels. Systemic hormone therapy is a reserve for treating menopausal symptoms. It contains a high dosage of estrogen that hormone specialists infuse in gel, patches, pills, and rings. Your body absorbs the estrogen and regulates hormone levels.
Low-dose vaginal products treat localized urinary and vaginal symptoms of menopause with lesser estrogen than systemic HRT. Low-dose HRT minimizes the amount of estrogen your body absorbs. The products are available in a ring, tablet, or cream form.
HRT, however, can coalesce progesterone and estrogen into a progestin pill. Progestin is not widespread but still an applicable hormone replacement option.
It is crucial to understand the risks before committing to HRT. HRT has recently faced backlash from some doctors due to risk and reported cancer cases. We give you the facts.
Risks
Prolonged use of HRT poses the following risks:
- Breast cancer
- Stroke
- Blood clots
- Osteoporosis
- Ovarian cancer
- Uterine cancer
Epidemiological studies show that estrogen-only HRT for longer periods increases the risk of cancer, bone fracture, and blood clots. Estrogen progesterone combination mitigates those risks, albeit not 100%. Medical experts have put in extensive research, and renowned hormone specialists are developing low-risk HRT methods that pose no significant health concern.
However, risk varies depending on age, type of hormone replacement therapy, and medical history. It is good practice to have candid consultation with your doctor on the best option and dosage. Short-term use of HRT to treat menopausal symptoms is worth the struggle.
Note: A hormone specialist largely influences the outcomes of HRT. Dr. Desai advises seeking the best service for efficacious HRT with low risk.
Conversely, HRT benefits make it a preferred option to treat menopausal symptoms among many women. However, there are additional merits characteristic of a top-line HRT session.
Benefits
Hormone replacement therapy benefits include:
- Eradicating hot flashes
- Restoring appetite
- Prevents bone thinning
- Improved vaginal conditions
- Increased sex drive
Verdict
Hormone replacement therapy is still uncharted territory. However, the benefits in a short time are worth trying. If you can no longer cope with menopausal symptoms, HRT is for you. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Desai at Integrated Family Medical Center to consult and develop a suitable hormone replacement therapy that suits your needs without causing harm. Dr. Desai is the partner you need to aid you in maintaining pristine hormone balance.