Types of Hormone Replacement Therapy
HRT, also the hormone therapy, menopausal hormone therapy or the estrogen replacement therapy is a method that is used to treat symptoms associated with aging and menopause. The doctors prescribe the procedure during or after menopause.
After the end o your periods, the level of hormones in your body falls causing uncomfortable symptoms like hot flashes, vaginal dryness and conditions like osteoporosis. The HRT replaces the hormones that your body is no longer capable of making. It is the most effective treatment for menopause symptoms.
The Use of Estrogen in the Body
When you think of estrogen, most likely you think about pregnancy. In women who are in the age of childbearing, estrogen helps the uterus to get ready to receive the fertilized egg. Estrogen has other uses in the body too, as it helps in raising the levels of good cholesterol, and also controls the manner in which your body utilizes calcium which is used to strengthen bone.
When Progesterone Should be Taken
If you still have your uterus, using estrogen alone without progesterone raises your risk for cancer of endometrium, the uterus lining . The fact that the endometrium cells are no longer leaving your body during your period, they may build up in the womb and lead to cancer. The work of progesterone is reducing that risk by thickening the lining.
Types of HRT
In general, doctors suggest that women who have undergone hysterectomy should ingest a low dose of estrogen. Estrogen is available in many forms; the daily pill and patch are the most common, but the hormone can still be found in the forms of vaginal ring, gel or spray.
The Progestin Hormone Therapy
Also referred to like the combination therapy since it combines doses of estrogen and the synthetic form of progesterone, progestin. The treatment is designed for women who still have their uterus.
The ideal candidates for HRT are those experiencing mild to severe menopausal symptoms and those with a family history of osteoporosis.If however, you have breast cancer, liver or heart disease or don’t suffer from the menopausal symptoms; then you are not fit for the hormone replacement therapy.
Hormone Replacement Therapy Regimes
Different treatment regimes of hormone replacement therapy are available depending on whether you are in the early stages of menopause or you have had the menopausal symptoms for some time. The common regimes are the Cyclical or Sequential and the Continuous HRT.
The cyclical or sequential therapy is meant for women using the combined HRT and have the menopausal symptoms but are still having their periods. It is of two types; the monthly HRT and the three-monthly HRT.
Continuous Combined HRT is recommended for women who are post-menopausal–not having a period for a year. It is the continued use of estrogen and progesterone every day without a break.
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