Hormone Therapy: What You Need to Know
If night sweats, mood changes, hot flashes, and other annoying symptoms have taken over your life, you might feel desperate for relief. For many menopausal women, hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, has been an effective solution for reducing these annoying symptoms and allowing them to feel like themselves again.
But what is hormone therapy? And what should someone know before doing it?
Essentially, hormone replacement therapy is a medical treatment that supplements or replaces hormones in the body. While it can be used for many reasons, alleviating menopausal symptoms or addressing hormone deficiencies is the most common one.
Indeed, hormone replacement therapy offers many benefits for those it's right for. However, like with any procedure, it's important to understand what it entails, its benefits, and its risks before deciding if it is right for you.
Let's explore hormone replacement therapy in more detail, including what it is and isn't and what you need to know beforehand.
What's Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Hormone replacement therapy, or estrogen therapy, involves taking medications containing female hormones, like estrogen, to replace the ones the body no longer produces after menopause. Primarily, it's used to treat common menopausal symptoms and prevent bone loss, although in some cases, it's also prescribed for younger people with hormone deficiencies or imbalances.
There are several different types of estrogen therapy:
Systemic estrogen therapy: Comes in pill, skin patch, gel, cream, or spray form
Low-dose vaginal estrogen: Available as a cream, tablet, or ring
Combination HRT: Estrogen plus progestogen for women with a uterus
Bioidentical hormones: Synthesized from plant sources to be chemically identical to human hormones
What Hormone Replacement Therapy Helps With
As mentioned earlier, hormone replacement therapy helps reduce and prevent many common bothersome menopausal symptoms and other conditions.
To summarize, these are some of the things HRT can help with:
Menopausal symptoms
Osteoporosis prevention
Premature ovarian insufficiency
Hormonal imbalances
Gender affirmation for transgender individuals
How Does Hormone Replacement Therapy Work?
When a woman seeks hormone replacement therapy, she typically begins by consulting with her healthcare provider, often a gynecologist or endocrinologist. The doctor will then assess her medical history, current symptoms, and overall health to determine if HRT is appropriate. This evaluation may include blood tests to check hormone levels and other health markers.
If HRT is deemed suitable, the provider will discuss different treatment options, including the types of hormones (estrogen alone or combined with progesterone), delivery methods (pills, patches, gels, or creams), and potential risks and benefits. Once a treatment plan is agreed upon, the woman starts the therapy, usually at a low dose that may be adjusted over time.
Follow-up appointments with the gynecologist or endocrinologist are scheduled to monitor progress, assess symptom relief, and check for any side effects. The duration of HRT varies; some women use it for a short time to manage acute menopausal symptoms, while others may continue treatment for years under medical supervision.
The Hidden Risks of HRT
You may now be thinking, "HRT sounds great! What's the catch?" Well, unfortunately, there is a catch, and this is the part you should be well aware of before deciding to pursue hormone replacement therapy.
While many of the common side effects, such as bleeding and breast tenderness, of hormone replacement therapy are well-documented, recent studies and reports have highlighted some less-discussed or emerging concerns.
These are some of the hidden or less-talked-about negative side effects that some women on HRT have reported experiencing:
Cognitive effects: Some studies suggest that HRT might affect cognitive function. While earlier research indicated potential cognitive benefits, more recent findings have been mixed. Some women report experiencing brain fog or memory issues.
Changes in body odor: A subset of women have reported noticeable changes in their natural body odor after starting HRT, which can be distressing for some individuals.
Tinnitus or hearing changes: Women have been reported to experience tinnitus (ringing in the ears) or changes in hearing sensitivity after starting HRT.
Gum health issues: Some studies have indicated a potential link between HRT and periodontal problems, including gum inflammation and tooth loss.
Dry eye syndrome: While not entirely unknown, the link between HRT and dry eye syndrome is often underemphasized. Some women experience significant discomfort due to decreased tear production.
Increased risk of certain autoimmune disorders: Older research suggests a potential link between HRT and an increased risk of developing or exacerbating certain autoimmune conditions, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
Changes in alcohol tolerance: Some women report changes in how their bodies process alcohol, leading to increased sensitivity or altered effects.
Skin changes beyond typical side effects: While skin changes are a known side effect, some women report more unusual changes like increased skin tags or changes in mole appearance.
Urinary incontinence: Although HRT is sometimes used to treat urinary symptoms, some women paradoxically report an increase in urinary incontinence.
Alterations in sense of smell: A small number of women have reported changes in their olfactory perception after starting HRT.
Joint pain: While HRT is often associated with reducing joint pain, some women report an increase in joint discomfort or new onset of joint issues.
Gastrointestinal changes: Some women experience changes in digestion, including increased acid reflux or changes in bowel habits.
It's important to note, however, that these effects are not universal and may only affect a small percentage of women using HRT. Additionally, the relationship between these effects and HRT is not always clear-cut and may be influenced by individual factors. Still, it's important that women discuss these hidden risks with their doctor before moving forward.
Who's a Candidate for HRT? Factors Your Doctor Considers
If you're considering hormone replacement therapy, your doctor will first consider several factors before approving the therapy.
Typically, they'll first consider your:
Age and time since menopause onset
Personal medical history and family health history
Specific symptoms and their severity
Risk factors for heart disease, osteoporosis, and breast cancer
Preferences for managing menopausal symptoms
It's crucial to discuss these factors with your healthcare provider to determine if HRT is appropriate for you. They can help weigh the potential benefits against the risks based on your individual circumstances.
Discover the Best Path For You: Consult a Pelvic Floor Therapist
Hormone replacement therapy can be an effective treatment for menopausal symptoms and certain hormone-related conditions. However, it's not suitable for everyone. If you're wondering if hormone therapy is right for you, this is one of your signs it's time to see a pelvic floor therapist first.
By contacting us to schedule an evaluation, you can become better informed about hormone therapy, its benefits, and its risks. At Health Elevated, I aim to ensure you get the best treatment that's right for you so that you feel empowered to live life on your terms.
I look forward to guiding you on this journey towards improved health and comfort.
