Hormone therapy isn’t for everyone. But if it’s how you choose to treat severe symptoms of menopause, here’s what you’ll want to know.

Video Transcription

Female: If you are one of the 40 million American women of menopausal or post-menopausal age you maybe wondering if hormone replacement therapy is right for you. Female: Despite a few tough years in the media and in research studies. Hormone replacement therapy remains the most effective treatment for the hot flashes and vaginal discomfort which are characteristic of menopause. So how this it work and the years prior to and during menopause a woman’s ovaries slowly begin decreasing production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, in adequate level of this hormones are the cause of most menopausal symptoms. Hormonal replacement therapy or HRT restores these hormonal levels therefore causing a reduction in symptoms. There were two types of HRT, the first estrogen only therapy is recommended only for women who have undergone hysterectomy which is the surgical removal of the uterus. All those studies have found that estrogen only therapy carries fewer risks of serious side effects it should not be taken by women who have not had a hysterectomy. This is because the estrogen only treatment can increase the risk if endometrial malignancy or cancer of the uterine lining. Women with intact uterus are or advised to take combined hormone therapy which adds the hormone progesterone to an estrogen regimen. Regardless of which type of HRT your doctor prescribes for you, you will have many options for have the hormone is administered. The most common form is taken orally as a pill some tablets like primpro combined estrogen and progesterone in a single pill while others contain estrogen or progesterone only. Women who prefer an alternative to pills may choose a trans-thermal patch which delivers hormones gradually through the skin over several days. Some estrogen therapy products such as the vaginal ring are inserted directly into the vagina and release hormones gradually for about three months before replacement are necessary. One brand of vaginal ring called astring produces local effects only meaning that it treat vaginal symptoms alone. Another form femring alleviates hot flashes as well as vaginal discomfort which ever form of HRT you choose it is vital to follow your doctor’s instructions precisely and to take the hormone only for the time prescribed. Hormone replacement therapy is a very individualize treatment if you are experiencing symptoms of menopause and are interested in hormone supplementation please speak with your Doctor. Female: Want to learn more, check out other videos and sources on this site for more information.