Did you know that while plenty of people don’t visit the doctor regularly, the main reasons for not going are still not understood?
Making informed choices regarding personal health is difficult when you don’t have all of the facts. It’s hard to learn what you need to know if you miss your doctor’s appointments, but even if you don’t, you may still end up confused when you leave.
Are you thinking about starting hormone therapy treatment per your physician’s request? If so, you need to know more about it before you can make a decision.
Keep reading below to learn what hormone therapy is, who is a candidate for treatment, and what risks are involved.
What Is Hormone Therapy Treatment?
Primarily, hormone treatment therapy focuses on replacing estrogen in the body following menopause. There are two types of estrogen therapy: systemic hormonal therapy and low-dose vaginal products.
Systemic estrogen has a high dose of estrogen that will be absorbed in the whole body. This therapy can be in pill, ring, cream, spray, patch, or gel form. It is often used to treat some of the common symptoms of menopause.
There are also low-dose vaginal products or preparations of estrogen, which are in tablet, ring, or cream form, that will minimize how much estrogen the body absorbs. These are only used to treat menopausal symptoms related to urinary or vaginal concerns.
If you still have your uterus, the doctor is likely going to prescribe estrogen with progesterone (or progestin). Estrogen can stimulate the growth of your uterine lining if not balanced out with progesterone, and this can lead to endometrial cancer risks.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Hormone Therapy?
There are a lot of women that can benefit from hormone therapy after they’ve started going through menopause. While it will not reverse menopause, it will help with treating some of the uncomfortable symptoms menopause produces.
Some of the main benefits include:
- Fewer hot flashes and night sweats
- Less vaginal itching or dryness
- Protection against bone thinning (osteoporosis)
In addition to that, if you’re someone that has had their ovaries removed (or lose function) before age 45 or has stopped having their period before age 45, hormonal therapy can help. Your body has had less exposure to estrogen overall, which means that hormone therapy can help decrease the risk of certain health conditions.
Are There Any Risks of Hormone Therapy?
Hormone treatments do come with risks, so this is something that you should discuss in-depth with your doctor before you begin. For instance, if you are prescription the estrogen-progestin pill Prempro, some risks include:
- Heart disease
- Blood clots
- Breast cancer
- Stroke
The risks are going to vary based on your age, health history, and other factors. You can talk to a doctor to learn more about risk.
To reduce risk, you should always figure out (with the help of your doctor) with delivery method and product are best for your health needs. You also want to take the lowest dosage of the medication possible for the effects.
It’s important to seek follow-up care with your doctor on a regular basis to get any necessary screenings and make sure that you are still benefiting from the hormone treatment.
Talk to Your Doctor Today
If you think that hormone therapy might be the right thing for you, it’s important to have an open and honest conversation with your doctor. Make sure that you understand everything they are telling you and you’re fully aware of the risks associated with whichever delivery method you end up choosing.
Did you find this content helpful? If so, check out the rest of our website for even more useful tips.
