As many as 85% of postmenopausal women experienced menopause-related symptoms. It may include hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and dryness. Mood swings, hair loss, and chills are also some of the symptoms women may experience.
To relieve these symptoms, women can take hormone replacement therapy. Knowing what options are available can help in managing these symptoms.
Do you want to learn more about the types of hormone replacement therapy? Keep on reading to learn about various options here.
What Is Hormone Therapy?
Hormone treatment or therapy is a medication that contains female hormones. Women take them to replace estrogen that the body stops making during menopause. These treatments also help address common menopausal symptoms.
Menopause happens when a woman goes through twelve months without a menstrual period. During this time, the levels of estrogen and progesterone change. The changes in these two female hormones lead to menopausal symptoms.
Over 21,000 Americans work as obstetricians and gynecologists. They can help by evaluating symptoms and recommending HRT for women.
Before going into these treatments, know that there are HRT side effects. It may include swelling in certain body parts, bloating, and even leg cramps. These usually pass after a few weeks with regular exercise and stretching.
Types of Hormone Replacement Therapy
There are different types of hormone replacement therapy available today. They come in various forms like pills, patches, and creams. Other prescription hormone products include gels and injections.
One of the most common types of hormone replacement therapy is pills or tablets. Women can take them once a day on an empty stomach. They also reduce the risks of osteoporosis.
Another benefit of estrogen replacement therapy pills is convenience. It is one of the simplest ways of having the treatment. But, some cases may have a more complicated dosing schedule.
Skin patches are another type of hormone replacement therapy. Women can wear the patch on their lower stomach or beneath the waistline. They can change the patch once or twice a week or according to the instructions.
Patches also provide convenience. You can stick it on and not worry about taking a pill every day. It is a more direct form of estrogen delivery because it absorbs from the skin to the bloodstream.
Estrogen gels are becoming a popular form of hormone replacement therapy. You have to rub the gel onto the skin once a day. One of its benefits is that it does not increase the risk of developing blood clots.
Implants are another convenient hormone replacement therapy option. It provides a gradual release of estrogen for several months before needing replacement.
These treatments vary in the structure and how they metabolize in the body. They can be synthetic hormones or bioidentical hormones. Learn more about their characteristics and benefits here.
Choosing the Right Hormone Therapy
These are the different types of hormone replacement therapy. A doctor’s consultation about symptoms and health risks can help choose a treatment. Also, a regular review of treatment options can help address the changing symptoms.
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