Hormone Therapy: What You Need to Know Before Undergoing Them

If you are entering the age of 40 to 50 years, then prepare yourself for menopause. Just like when you first experienced your period, several things will happen to your body, such as body function and shape, the same thing you will feel when you enter menopause. But don’t worry, you are not alone in facing these changes, because menopause happens to all women in any part of the world. Even so, women who enter menopause have the potential to experience several complications and medical conditions. Today, hormone therapy is widely used to reduce the disturbing effects caused by menopause. 

It is generally used to treat menopause

Hormone therapy is not just for people who want to undergo sex reassignment surgery, but it is generally used to treat menopause. This therapy can reduce the impact of menopause, such as hot sensations, sweating, and discomfort in the intimate organs.

Today, hormone therapy is one of the alternative medical treatments that can be used by women entering menopause. A woman is said to be menopausal if she does not experience menstruation again, for at least 12 months.

Hormone therapy aims to reduce the negative effects of the conditions experienced, such as hot sensations that come from within the body, excessive sweating, and discomfort in the intimate organs due to vaginal dryness. Although it sounds simple and effective, hormone therapy can be known as hormone that have side effects that need to be considered before undergoing them. Not everyone is suitable to use it.

What is hormone therapy?

Hormone therapy or hormone replacement therapy is a drug that contains female hormones. Also known as hormone therapy, it is used to reduce the effects of menopause, such as discomfort in the intimate organs, sweating, and a sensation of excessive heat from within the body (hot flashes). 

However, in certain cases, hormone therapy is used as a treatment for people who want to have sex reassignment surgery or people who experience certain hormone disorders. Hormone therapy usually contains the hormones estrogen and progesterone. However, some hormone therapies contain only estrogen. Sometimes, there is also hormone therapy that mixes the hormone testosterone in it.

What are the types of hormone therapy?

Hormone therapy can be considered as one of the hormone drugs for menopause. However, before undergoing it, you need to know the types of hormone therapy as follows:

1. Estrogen hormone therapy

One type of hormone medication for menopause is estrogen hormone therapy. Estrogen hormone therapy is done to balance estrogen and progesterone levels during or near menopause. Estrogen hormone therapy is generally only given to women who have undergone surgical removal of the uterus or hysterectomy. The therapy does not involve the hormone progesterone. If you have not had surgery to remove the uterus, then you should take a combination hormone therapy of estrogen and progesterone. This is because estrogen levels in the absence of progesterone can increase the growth of the uterine lining and increase your chances of developing uterine cancer. Estrogen hormone therapy can be obtained in the form of creams, pills, patches, sprays, and gels. It is effective in reducing menopausal symptoms, such as vaginal discomfort and hot flashes, as well as reducing the chances of developing osteoporosis.

2. Local estrogen hormone therapy

Local estrogen hormone therapy can only overcome disorders of the intimate organs during menopause and cannot overcome other menopausal effects, such as hot flashes. Local estrogen hormone therapy also does not reduce the chance of suffering from osteoporosis. Estrogen hormone therapy can be in the form of rings that will be inserted into the intimate organs , tablets and creams.

3. Patterned hormone therapy

Patterned hormone therapy is usually given to women who are still menstruating but have experienced symptoms of menopause. Hormone therapy with a combination of the hormones estrogen and progesterone will be given at the end of the menstrual cycle for 14 days, immediately given in doses for 14 days, or given every 13 weeks.

4. Long cycle hormone therapy

Long-cycle hormone therapy is strongly discouraged because its safety is questionable. Long cycle hormone therapy can cause bleeding every three months.

5. Continuous hormone therapy

In contrast to patterned hormone therapy, hormone therapy is continuously used when women enter the postmenopausal period. In this hormone therapy, you will be required to undergo combination hormone therapy with progesterone and estrogen continuously.

Hormone therapy side effects

Hormone therapy is inseparable from side effects. The reason is, before undergoing hormone therapy, you need to properly understand the side effects that may be experienced when following hormone therapy. When you undergo hormone therapy, you are more at risk for experiencing the following medical conditions:

• Strokes.
• Blood blockage.
• Breast cancer.
• Heart disease.

However, the above risks are also influenced by the age factor. Women who undergo hormone therapy when they are at the age of 60 years or over 60 will be more likely to experience the side effects above. The possibility of experiencing side effects of hormone therapy is also very dependent on medical record factors, medical conditions experienced, hormone doses given, and the type of hormone therapy being undertaken.

Always discuss with the doctor

Apart from the side effects, you still need to visit your doctor to find out if you are suitable for hormone therapy to treat menopausal symptoms. Because not all women can follow hormone therapy. Women who may still be pregnant or are at risk for certain medical conditions cannot undergo hormone therapy, such as:

• Endometrial cancer.
• Cervical cancer.
• Breast cancer.
• Bleeding in intimate organs.
• Liver disorders.
• Blood clots in the lungs or thighs
• Strokes.
• Heart disease.
• Severe migraine.
• Hypertension.

In addition, you also need to consult with your doctor to choose the type of hormone therapy to deal with menopause that is suitable for you and in what form of hormone therapy will be given. For the last info, you can find at bywinona.com, more complete information about hormone therapy.