6 Questions About Hormone Replacement Therapy

6 Questions About Hormone Replacement Therapy Hormones have always been good at messing with us. They get a bad rap, but we need hormones to regulate all of our bodily functions, from hunger to emotions.

During puberty, they transform many of us into moody, confused teenagers with a penchant for slamming doors and sulking. As we get older, our hormones can tell us precisely when we’d be getting our periods. During perimenopause, estrogen hormones decrease which can lead to an all-new set of hormonal woes: hot flashes, sleeplessness, weight gain, vaginal dryness, and mood changes, to name just a few.

6 Questions About Hormone Replacement Therapy That’s why hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has become so popular. It sounds good in theory: With HRT, you replace the estrogen and progesterone that your body no longer produces on its own. But it’s not right for everyone, and it comes with some risks. Here we answer a few frequently asked questions.

Does everyone need HRT after menopause?

Not every woman will need hormone replacement therapy. But according to the Mayo Clinic, it could be something to consider if you identify with any of the following:  You’ve experienced early menopause (before reaching 40)  You’ve moderate to severe hot flashes and other menopause symptoms  You’ve lost bone mass and have tried other treatments

6 Questions About Hormone Replacement Therapy How do I know if HRT is right for me?

Some doctors say that HRT could be an option for women younger than 60, within 10 years of menopause, and with no family history of breast cancer. The older you begin the treatment, the more you elevate your risks of heart disease, stroke, blood clots, and dementia. Menopause symptoms vary drastically from woman to woman, so talk to your doctor about treatment options for menopause symptoms that are right for you.

6 Questions About Hormone Replacement Therapy Are there risks in using HRT? There are several serious risks associated with HRT. Women taking estrogen plus progestin are more likely to develop breast cancer, and that risk increases the longer those hormones are taken.

Blood clots, stroke, and heart attacks are also more common in women taking either estrogen alone or estrogen with another hormone.

Evidence suggests that the risk of getting dementia doubles for women over 65 taking estrogen and progestin. Finally, urinary incontinence is a risk for those taking both estrogen and progestin.

6 Questions About Hormone Replacement Therapy Will HRT make me gain weight?

No! This is a common misconception about HRT. While gaining weight is a frustrating reality for many menopausal women, studies have shown that HRT can actually help you lose extra belly fat. But here’s the kicker: Once you stop hormone replacement therapy, it’s likely that you’ll gain any weight you lost back. So if you’re thinking about HRT, or if you’re already using it, talk to your doctor about your long term plans and other options for weight loss during menopause.

6 Questions About Hormone Replacement Therapy What are natural alternatives?

From black cohosh for hot flashes to evening primrose oil for mood swings, Google leaves you thinking that there’s a natural supplement for every menopause symptom out there, and that simply isn’t true.

Supplements aren’t regulated by the FDA, so we don’t have any substantial research that they actually work. And because they aren’t regulated, there’s no way of knowing how much of the product is actually in the pill bottle or what the appropriate dosage should be. Be sure to talk to your doctor before you try any supplement, for menopause symptoms or otherwise.

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