Menopause is the time in a woman's life when her period stops. It is a normal part of aging. In the years before and during menopause, the levels of female hormones can go up and down. This can cause symptoms such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Some women take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to relieve these symptoms.  However, HRT also has risks.  Our experienced team of gynecologists and health professionals will need discuss the risks and benefits of HRT for you.

Advantages of HRT
Hormone replacement therapy can provide a number of benefits. These benefits do not come without drawbacks though, so you must carefully weigh your decision with a doctor, before committing to HRT.

Effects of HRT are widespread. Hormone replacement therapy is excellent for reducing the symptoms of menopause, including: insomnia, fatigue, depression, incontinence, and vaginal dryness. HRT can also significantly reduce the number and intensity of the hot flashes and night sweats that you experience.

Estrogen in hormone replacement therapy can also help plump up your skin, improve your sleep, and give you a better outlook on life. It lubricates your vagina and tightens your pelvic muscles, limiting incontinence. An added benefit of hormone replacement therapy is the reduction of your risk of developing osteoporosis. Plant estrogen is excellent at building up bone mass in your body, making your bones stronger. In fact, studies have shown that within five years, HRT can reduce the incidence of bone fractures by up to 80%.

Disadvantages of Hormone Replacement Therapy
HRT was once prescribed to prevent illnesses associated with menopausal women including heart disease, breast cancer, and dementia. After a long-term study by the Women’s Health Initiative, it was discovered that hormone therapy actually increased a woman’s risk of many of these disease.  Since these discoveries, HRT has been cast in a negative light.

The Women’s Health Initiative reported increased risks in women taking estrogen and estrogen/progestin therapies over long periods. Estrogen is known to stimulate cell division, and this seems to increase you risk of breast cancer by up to 9%. HRT also appears to increase your risk of heart disease by 24%. Women taking HRT to reduce their risk of Alzheimer’s disease actually increased their risk by a small percentage. It is now recommended that women do not take hormones to safeguard against potential diseases. In order to prevent increasing your risk of certain diseases, it is suggested that you use HRT for no more than five years.

Deciding on Hormone Replacement Therapy
Choosing hormone replacement therapy is a difficult decision for many women. The risks associated with the treatments may outweigh the possible benefits of HRT, and this must be carefully considered. Hormone replacement therapy is recommended if you are facing moderate to serious symptoms or if you have undergone surgical menopause. HRT should only be taken for a short period of time (less than 5 years) and at the lowest effective dosage. If you follow your doctor’s advice and raise your own awareness, HRT could be a beneficial choice for you.