Hormonal Replacement Therapy - What Should You Know?

Hormonal replacement therapy is a common treatment meant for augmenting the natural hormones present in the body. It could be either estrogen-only therapy, medically known as ET and meant for women who have undergone a hysterectomy. It can also be estrogen with progesterone therapy for those who are going through menopause. The second option is more common since estrogen and progesterone serve different functions in the body, including thickening the lining of the uterus and preparing it for the implantation of eggs. It is important to consult an expert endocrinologist to make an informed decision about hormone replacement therapy.

Hormone replacement therapy can be started as soon as one experiences post-menopausal symptoms. There is no real test to determine when menopause starts, but it is important to consult your gynecologist as well as endocrinologist to find out the most effective HRT based on your health conditions, needs, and preferences. Hormone replacement therapy may take up a few weeks to show any good effect since the therapy works gradually.

Though most symptoms of menopause tend to pass within a couple of years, it can be very difficult for some women to deal with these issues. Such symptoms may include lack of libido, vaginal dryness, hot flushes, night sweats and extreme mood swings. Hormone replacement therapy can help deal with these issues while also keeping osteoporosis at bay. If you are heading towards menopause, you should consider seeking hormone replacement therapy to cure these symptoms.

You can take hormone replacement therapy in the form of skin patches, gels, tablets, vaginal creams, and rings. It may be difficult for a patient to understand which of these forms will is the most suitable for them. Therefore, it is important to speak with an expert before starting any treatment. The treatment course needs to be finished based on your doctor s instructions. Your doctor can give you the best advice and therefore, you should follow the instructions of your expert closely to get the best results.