HRT, or hormone replacement therapy, is a method of treating menopuase symptoms. Generally, the patient’s age, personal and family medical history, and the severity of their symptoms are all considered before beginning an HRT regimen. 

If you suspect that you might benefit from hormone replacement therapy, feel free to schedule an appointment with our experts in the field of obstetrics and gynecology in South Miami, Florida, today.

Furthermore, if you would like to learn more about the benefits and possible risks of hormone replacement therapy, this article will have the answers you’re looking for. 

HRT: Understanding the Roles of Progesterone and Estrogen

Both of these compounds are essential female hormones that are produced in the ovaries. 

Estrogen is responsible for several bodily functions, such as:

  • Influencing the body’s calcium uptake, which is pivotal for bone health
  • Thickening the uterine lining, preparing it for the chance of fertilized egg implantation
  • Regulating blood cholesterol levels
  • Helping prevent osteoporosis
  • Improving overall vaginal health

Progesterone, similarly to estrogen, also plays a crucial role in several bodily functions, such as: 

  • Helping with becoming pregnant and maintaining pregnancy
  • Improving sleep and mood
  • Helping with blood pressure regulation

HRT to Treat Menopause

Menopause Word on Wooden Block. Flat Lay View on Light Pink Background.

As women begin their transition into menopause, their ovaries tend to produce less of these crucial hormones, and these hormonal changes can cause several unwanted symptoms, such as:

  • Cold flashes
  • Night sweats
  • Hot flashes
  • Urinary urgency
  • Insomnia
  • Depression, irritability, mood swings
  • Dry skin, eyes, and mouth

HRT can effectively treat menopause symptoms by boosting hormone levels and relieving some of those symptoms. Assessing whether it’s the proper treatment for you should be done with an experienced healthcare provider who will help you better understand the benefits, the risks, and the possible HRT side effects.

Types of Hormone Replacement Therapy

Generally, providers recommend two many HRT types, which are:

  • EPT or Estrogen Progesterone/Progestin Therapy: Also known as combination therapy, containing estrogen and progestin (synthetic progesterone) doses. 
  • Estrogen Therapy: In this type of HRT, patients only take estrogen, usually in the form of a pill or a patch that should be used daily. Also, providers may prescribe estrogen as vaginal rings, creams, gels, or sprays. Patients only need to take the lowest doses that relieve their symptoms efficiently.

The Uterus and HRT

Regarding hormone replacement therapy, a lot of women wonder whether having or not having a uterus can make a massive difference in which type of HRT the patient should take. Experts agree that the presence of the uterus will, in fact, affect the kind of therapy patients should opt for.

For those with a uterus, the better option is to take estrogen and progesterone together. The risks of hormone replacement therapy when taking estrogen alone while having a uterus can become more prominent. There’s a more significant chance for malignant tumor formation in the uterine lining (the endometrium). 

As you may know, during a woman’s reproductive years, the endometrium sheds its cells during menstruation. After menstruation stops, the endometrium no longer does this, and taking estrogen alone can lead to cell overgrowth in the uterus, which may turn cancerous. When progesterone is introduced alongside exogenous estrogen, the risks of endometrial cancer are reduced as progesterone thins the endometrium. 

After a hysterectomy or uterine removal, women usually won’t need to take progesterone. This is also essential, as it may lead to fewer long-term risks of hormone replacement therapy than estrogen and progesterone taken together.

Most Prominent HRT Products

There are several options when it comes to postmenopausal hormones, and these are only a few supplements: 

Estrogen

  • Creams 
  • Pills 
  • Vaginal Rings
  • Patch
  • Vaginal Tablets
  • Sprays

Combination HRT

  • Patches
  • Pills

DHEA or Vaginal Dehydroepiandrosterone

  • Vaginal Insert

The Benefits of HRT

For the most part, HRT is recommended to relieve menopause symptoms, such as:

  • Vaginal dryness that may lead to painful sex
  • Hot flashes
  • Night flashes, itchy, dry skin, and other symptoms related to menopuase

Apart from treating menopause symptoms, HRT may also have other health benefits, such as: 

  • An improved overall sense of mental well-being and improved mood in some women
  • Improved bone density, and reduced risks of developing osteoporosis
  • Lowered colon cancer and diabetes risk
  • Some improvements in joint pain management
  • Decreased tooth loss
  • The slightly lower death rate for women in their 50s who take HRT

Risks of Hormone Replacement Therapy and HRT Side Effects

HRT is indeed able to help women get through menopause, but the treatment still has its associated risks. These may include: 

  • Increased risks of stroke and blood clots
  • Increased risks of endometrial cancer in the circumstances discussed above
  • Increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s when taken mid-life 
  • Long-term use may increase breast cancer risks

When assessing the side effects, HRT may come with the following downsides:

  • Monthly bleeding under specific circumstances
  • Mood swings
  • Irregular spotting
  • Tender breasts
  • Headaches
  • Fluid retention
  • Black or brown spots on the skin
  • Skin irritation under HRT patches
  • Increased breast density

Still, patients should remember that HRT side effects are usually mild and manageable. When the issues become bothersome, you can always discuss adjusting the dosage or changing your HRT regimen with your provider to address side effects. The worst thing patients can do in these cases is to alter their regimen or stop their medication altogether without consulting their doctor.

HRT and Heart Disease

Some women may wonder whether HRT will lead to heart disease. Currently, the medical community has attempted to answer this question via larger studies. There’s research that shows positive results, and there are also trials that came back with adverse effects. 

Still, based on the available data, the American Heart Association has stated that HRT isn’t recommended to prevent heart problems.

HRT and Breast Cancer

The risks of hormone replacement therapy may include breast cancer development as well, mostly when estrogen therapy is combined with progesterone. Still, it’s essential to consider the following findings:

  • Progesterone and estrogen therapy showed only a rare increase when assessing absolute risk. This means that the malignancy will develop as a direct result of HRT in less than one in a thousand women.
  • Estrogen therapy alone will lead to nonsignificant breast cancer chance reduction in women who have undergone hysterectomy. 
  • Women with a previous history of breast cancer should not take HRT.

Who Should NOT Consider HRT?

Text Hrt Replacement Therapy on Light Box.

Therapy typically isn’t recommended if the patient:

  • Had or has endometrial or breast cancer
  • Has abnormal vaginal bleeding
  • Has a high risk for blood clot formation
  • Has a history of heart attacks, strokes, or generally increased risk for different vascular problems
  • Is pregnant
  • Has liver disease

An Individual Decision You Don’t Have to Make Entirely Alone

Opting for HRT should be a personalized decision as it is not for everyone. Before starting it, patients should discuss the benefits and the risks with their providers. They should carefully assess every aspect of the treatment to see whether the benefits outweigh the risks. 

Still, with the help of a knowledgeable team of experts, patients will be able to make a more informed decision. Also, partnering up with professionals will mean better symptom management and monitoring.

As such, if you want to learn more about HRT, contact us today.