Hormone therapy after menopause — all your queries answered

Are your menopause symptoms worsening day by day? Here's how menopause hormone therapy (MHT) can help you relieve your symptoms.

By: Shraddha Rupavate | | Published: February 25, 2014 1:53 pm

Hot flashes, erratic behaviour, sleepless nights, abrupt weight gain, etc are inevitable part of a woman’s life. As women age, they move close to menopause a phase that marks the end of their menstrual cycle. And the main reason behind these physical and mental changes is the altering levels of female reproductive hormones: estrogen and progesterone. Also Read - Androgen therapy proposed as alternative treatment for breast cancer: How it is different from endocrine therapy?

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Although menopause is a normal stage of life, it affects every woman in a different manner. On an average menopause sets in at the age of 51 but a few women can also experience premature menopause at the age of 40, which may worsen the symptoms. Therefore, doctors may advice a menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) for relieving the symptoms. Read more about menopause and dealing with its signs and symptoms. Also Read - Avoid sexual dysfunction: Having multiple partners may actually be good for you

What is menopausal hormone therapy (MHT)?

MHT is a treatment that involves the use of the hormones estrogen and progesterone (individually or combined) to regulate the menstrual period in women. These hormones are obtained from plants or animals or may be synthesized artificially but they have the same effect as the normal hormones produced in the body. These hormones are administered orally, through a skin patch or by application of a gel over a period of time (either on the vaginal walls or are designed to be used as a suppository).

How does menopausal hormone therapy help?

MHT helps relieve symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, irritability, bone loss (loss of calcium from the bones making them weak and brittle), mood swings and depression. It also helps minimize vaginal symptoms such as dryness and pain during sex. Studies have also shown that MHT can help to reduce the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.

What are the risks associated with MHT?

MHT has both positive and negative effects on the overall health of women.

Common side effects of MHT include vaginal bleeding, bloating, tenderness in the breast, nausea and headache.
Few studies have shown that prolonged use of MHT can increase the chances of formation of blood clots in the body, heart attacks and stroke.
A study by Chlebowski RT and colleagues showed that women who took estrogen combined with progestin (progesterone) had an increased risk of breast cancer. Other studies have noted that the risk of endometrial cancer, lung cancer and colorectal cancer increases in women while taking MHT. But this risk was found to be closely related to the length of time for which the therapy was used and the combination of hormones used.

When should you consider menopausal hormone therapy?

Irrespective of its side-effects and health risks, MHT has been useful. The benefits of MHT have been found to be definitely greater than its associated risks, albeit with proper guidance. So before you choose MHT, discuss its positive and negative aspects with your doctor.

MHT can be used for:

Women who are healthy but experience severe menopausal symptoms
Those who have lowered bone mass and find no relief from other treatment options
Women who experience premature menopause (before the age of 40)
Those whose ovaries fail to function normally before the age of 40

The above uses are based on data provided by clinical trials supporting the use of hormonal therapy

But using hormonal therapy alone is not the best way to fight the symptoms, focusing on lifestyle modifications like following a nutritious diet and exercising regularly does go a long way in making the transition to menopause that much smoother.

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References:

Menopause: A Mental Health Practitioner’s Guide edited by Donna E. Stewart
Chlebowski RT, Anderson G, Pettinger M, et al. Estrogen plus progestin and breast cancer detection by means of mammography and breast biopsy.
Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Cancer. National Cancer Institute (http://www.cancer.gov/)

Published : February 25, 2014 1:53 pm

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