Hormone Replacement Therapy

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Curbing the adverse effects of aging

This is a very well known therapy that women look for when entering the age of menopause.  When women enter this stage of their lives their bodies are unable to produce oestrogen and progesterone.  The menopause starts when women reach the age in which their ovaries are unable to produce eggs.

The average age in which women reach the menopause is around 50.

The importance of Oestrogen

Oestrogen is a hormone that is used by women’s bodies to stimulate their ovaries so they can release eggs.  When they reach the age in which there are no more eggs in the ovaries, then the levels of this hormone start to decrease.

But this is not the only function of this hormone.  Oestrogen helps to regulate the bone density (that is why many women suffer osteoporosis when they reach the menopause), the moist in the vagina and the body temperature.  The reduction of the production of this hormone is the main cause of the symptoms that are associated with menopause such as loss of sex drive, hot flushes, vaginal dryness, continue changes of mood, back pain and joint pain.

The importance of progesterone

Progesterone plays a crucial role for women.  It is the hormone that is in charge of getting the womb ready in case there is a pregnancy, as well as the mission to protect the endometrium.  There are not so many effects for women when the amounts of this hormone start to decrease, but probably the most important one is that it could increase the risk of endometrial cancer, as it is not protecting the lining of the womb anymore.

What are the benefits and the risks of Hormone Therapy?

Hormone replacement therapy has as its main benefit the control of the symptoms of the menopause in women.  This improves greatly their quality of life during these years.

Another benefit of the Hormone Replacement Therapy is that women reduce the chances of developing osteoporosis, colon and rectum cancer.

Having mentioned these benefits, among others, it is important also to mention that the use of the hormone therapy is not recommended for long term.  Long term of Hormone Replace therapy may increase the chances of developing breast cancer, endometrial cancer, blood clots, thrombosis and strokes.  So the recommended period to use is for a maximum of five years. 

Doctors and specialists agree that if used for this period of time, the benefits will outweigh the risks that it may carry.  If using for more time, better to discuss everything in detail with your doctor and to do a close follow up on a yearly basis.