Who Should Consider Hormone Replacement Therapy in Women?
Hormone replacement therapy in women involves medicating the patients with female hormones because their body no longer naturally produces these hormones after menopause. This kind of treatment was quite common for women experiencing severe menopause symptoms and hot flashes. The therapy is now commonly known by the term Hormone therapy and it is believed that it helps in prevention of osteoporosis and heart diseases in a longer run. This being said, the treatment is not suitable for everyone. It is important to determine whether the Hormone replacement therapy is women is suitable for you before making a decision. Here is some information that would help you make that choice:
In spite of the health risks involved, estrogen is still the most effective way to treat symptoms caused by menopause. The risk factors involved are quite low. The short term benefits that are acquired with Hormone replacement therapy in women might probably outweigh the risk involved in case you:
- Suffer from moderate to severe menopausal symptoms and hot flashes.
- Have undergone loss of bone mass and are not getting any kind of relief from other methods of treatment.
- Suffer from premature ovarian failure or premature menopause. The age parameter for this is 40.
It is important to note that women who have experienced premature ovarian failure or menopause have a completely different set of risks associated with their health in comparison to women who reach their menopause at about 50 years of age and these include:
- Increased risk of osteoporosis
- Decreased risk of breast cancer
- Increased risk of coronary heart disease
It is also important to note that hormone therapy helps in reduction of risk for both CHD and osteoporosis when the treatment is started for younger women right after the menopause. As far as personal risks are considered, it is recommended that you consult a physician.