Is HRT right for me?

Hormone replacement therapy can save you a whole lot of suffering if the discomforting symptoms of menopause affect you and keep you from performing in your daily life. The most common symptoms are hot flashes, mood swings, episodes of depression, weight gain on the abdominal area, vaginal dryness, sleep disorders, and more, that have slightly different reasons behind them but nonetheless can make life harder for women during this period of life.

As with any medical therapy, there are numerous factors to consider before trying HRT, which can best be determined by consulting your gynaecologist.

Benefits of HRT

Hormone replacement therapy effectively decreases the frequency and severity of symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances. It improves vaginal health, combats vaginal dryness, which leads to a better sexual life. HRT also decreases bone and cartilage loss, muscle and joint pains, decreases the risk of cardiovascular issues and colorectal cancer. The absolute risk of HRT for healthy women under 60 is low, and it can effectively improve the quality of life during and after menopause.

Medical concerns

HRT is a way to combat menopausal symptoms for most women between 50 and 59. The most important question is that which type of HRT can be taken and which method of administration to turn to? The two types of HRT consist of estrogen-only and the so-called combined HRT, when the patient takes estrogen and progestin combined. Both are hormones of the female body (progestin is the synthetic version of the natural hormone progesterone).  Estrogen may increase the risk of cancer development in the uterus. That is why most women who still have their uterus are recommended taking combined HRT, because progestin acts against the effects of estrogen that might cause cancer growth.

The option of HRT for menopausal symptoms is in every case an individual decision that should be based on the quality of life and health priorities as well as personal risk factor. These include age, time since menopause, the risk of thrombosis, stroke, ischemic heart disease and breast cancer. Consideration of menopausal hormone therapy for symptom relief or osteoporosis prevention should be a part of an overall strategy including lifestyle recommendations regarding diet, exercise, smoking cessation and safe levels of alcohol consumption for maintaining the health and quality of life of peri- and postmenopausal women.

Who should not take HRT?

Women with a history of breast cancer or other oestrogen-dependent malignant tumours, those with undiagnosed genital bleeding, untreated endometrial hyperplasia, coronary heart disease, venous thromboembolism, stroke, thrombophilia, porphyria or active liver disease should avoid the use of HRT.