Female Hormone Replacement Therapy

Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy for Women (HRT)

Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy and the use of synthetic drugs are the two common procedures of HRT for women.

With Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy, the new hormones replace a woman’s youthful hormones exactly. The drug hormones only try to come close -- about 5 - 10 percent similarly for estrogen is common. Meanwhile the progestins are simply different when drug hormones are used.

Women who begin HRT typically are being treated for symptoms of menopause such as “hot flashes.” Respondents also reported a 44 percent increase in sexual interest in a recent clinical trial. Researchers say this finding supports the idea that the hormone treatment, which consists of estrogen and progesterone, can help women frustrated by a decline in libido following menopause.

Other Potential Benefits of HRT

HRT has been used to relieve the short-term symptoms of menopause, which most often refer to hot flashes, sweats, and/or trouble sleeping. It is also widely believed to be useful in preventing or alleviating an increased rate of bone loss that leads to osteoporosis.

In the recent past, HRT also was prescribed to help prevent heart disease, but recent evidence from multiple studies indicate that heart health should not be a reason to take HRT. Preliminary evidence shows that HRT may be helpful in preventing Alzheimer's disease, colon cancer, and macular degeneration (age-related vision loss).

The addition of progestin to the treatment has believed to have resulted in the dramatically reduced the risk of endometrial cancer.

Female Menopause Defined

During menopause, the amount of estrogen produced by a woman's ovaries drops. These naturally occurring low estrogen levels may cause symptoms that include hot flashes, sleep problems, mood swings, and vaginal dryness.

Most women experience relief from the hot flashes, sleep difficulties, and vaginal dryness within a few weeks of taking HRT. Short-term use (2-4 years) of HRT to treat the symptoms of menopause still appears to be safe at this time. Usually, hot flashes and night sweats are less severe after a couple of years -- especially if HRT is tapered gradually.

Potential Risks for Women

Women considered being at high risk for breast cancer, or who have other concerns about the risks, might want to use alternative methods to alleviate menopausal symptoms.

Family history of breast cancer, early age of the first menstrual period (menarche), late age of child bearing, high fat diet, obesity, increased breast density on mammograms, and certain benign breast lesions increase the underlying risk of developing a breast cancer.

These factors need to be considered when deciding to take HRT. A woman also might consider any family history of osteoporosis or heart disease when making a decision about HRT.

HRT for Women Summary

We know that youth is associated with low risk for disease, so replacing hormones to youthful levels is part of an anti-aging program. There was a time that we accepted that perimenopause and menopause would lead to the problems associated with aging.

With the advances in HRT, women are now seeking to restore youthful hormones knowing that they cannot stop getting older, but with the intention of doing so more subtly and gracefully.

While no one can promise you that hormone replacement is perfectly safe, without consequences, and risk free, we can use the best information available to us to make the best choice.

It is up to you to make an informed decision. Read all you can about the change in life, talk to your friends and family about it and decide what is best for you.

Call 800-610-7484 for your Free Consultation.