Five Important Facts About Hormone Therapy

Hormones are something most of us don't think about after puberty – but they play an essential role in our overall health. More than 50 hormones exist in the body, running everyday functions and keeping you healthy.

Menopause is one of the life events that cause a drastic change in the reproductive hormones in females. It happens at the end of the childbearing years when your body prepares for the second half of life.

Imbalanced hormones often lead to the uncomfortable menopause symptoms you've likely heard of; hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings are just a few. Luckily, Dr. Eduardo Valdes and the Collaborative Women's Care team in Miami, Florida, can help.

Dr. Valdes is an experienced OB/GYN offering hormone replacement therapy for women going through menopause. If you're experiencing uncomfortable symptoms and lifestyle remedies aren't enough, HRT can assist.

What is hormone therapy?

Hormone therapy is a way to treat the various symptoms of menopause, the time in a woman's life when bearing a child is no longer possible. Multiple forms of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) exist, including traditional HRT and bioidentical HRT.

As you enter the first stage of menopause (perimenopause), the reproductive hormones begin to fluctuate, preparing your body for the non-childbearing years. Estrogen fluctuates substantially, leading to the prevalent signs of menopause, which are:

• Vaginal dryness
• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Mood swings
• Weight gain
• Insomnia
• Urinary urgency

Most women manage their menopausal symptoms through lifestyle changes and home remedies – but they're not always enough. If you're going through menopause and symptoms are affecting daily living, HRT may be the next best option.

Five essential facts on HRT

You don't want to dive into HRT without knowing all the facts. Although it's safe and effective, it's essential to understand the treatment and how it affects your body.

Before prescribing HRT to any woman going through menopause, Dr. Valdes offers the following five essential facts about HRT:

1. There are two forms of HRT

Estrogen and progesterone are the two primary reproductive hormones in women, so it only makes sense that HRT would contain one or both of them. Estrogen-only HRT is only for women who no longer have a uterus because it increases the risk of uterine cancer.

Combined HRT contains both estrogen and progesterone and is for women who still have a uterus. The added progesterone decreases the risk of cancer in women who haven't undergone a hysterectomy.

2. It's not only a pill

If you're not good at taking pills, there's no need to worry – there are various forms of HRT that come in sprays, creams, and patches. They also come in an injection, vaginal ring, and emulsion for your convenience.

3. You don't have to take it forever

A common misconception is that you need HRT for the rest of your life once you start taking it – however, that's not the case. Dr. Valdes evaluates your needs every few months to determine if you still require HRT.

4. It may prevent osteoporosis

As estrogen decreases in the body, it increases the risk of osteoporosis or porous bones as you age. Osteoporosis is a real threat to older women. It makes it easier to suffer a broken bone from a simple fall.

The benefit of taking HRT with menopause is a decreased chance of developing osteoporosis early on and fracture prevention.

5. HRT reduces the risk of certain cancers

As you age, you're also at an increased risk for certain types of cancer. If you're looking to stay healthy through menopause, HRT can help. It also reduces your risk for certain types of cancer, including colon cancer.

There are many benefits of HRT, but you must understand how estrogen affects the body before you jump right in. Dr. Valdes walks you through your choices in HRT to ensure you make the best choice for your body.

Is HRT suitable for me?

You may be a good candidate for HRT if you are in perimenopause or menopause and have symptoms that interfere with your life. After trying home remedies without success, you should talk to Dr. Valdes about HRT.

Although HRT isn't for everyone, it helps a lot of women get through the challenging parts of menopause by taming their symptoms. If you've tried to control hot flashes and mood swings alone without relief, HRT may be a good option.

The good news is you don't need HRT for the rest of your life. Once your hormones even out, you can go off of HRT and see how your body reacts.

To learn more about HRT and menopause, call our office today at 305-200-3878 or schedule a consultation with Dr. Valdes online.