What exactly is menopause?
When a woman’s period stops, she enters menopause, which is a normal, natural transition in her life. As a result, some people refer to menopause as “the transition of life” or “the change.”
During menopause, a woman’s body gradually produces less oestrogen and progesterone. This is most common between the ages of 45 and 55. When a woman has not had her period for 12 months in a row, she has achieved menopause.
What are the signs and symptoms of menopause?
At menopause, every woman’s period will come to an end. Some women may experience no additional symptoms at all. As you approach menopause, you may experience:
• Period changes—time between phases or flow may differ.
• Hot flashes (also known as “hot flushes”)—feeling hot in the face, neck, or chest, with or without sweating.
• Night sweats, which can cause difficulty sleeping and make you feel exhausted, worried, or tense.
• Vaginal changes—the vagina may dry up and narrow, making intercourse uncomfortable.
• Bone thinning, which can result in height reduction and bone fractures (osteoporosis).
Who requires treatment for menopausal symptoms?
• Without treatment, many of these alterations will fade away for some women.
• Some women will seek treatment to alleviate their symptoms and avoid bone loss. If you select hormone therapy, you can use oestrogen alone or oestrogen combined with progestin (for a woman who still retains her uterus or womb).
What exactly is menopause hormone therapy?
Menopausal hormone levels may cause hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and thin bones. Women may be administered oestrogen or oestrogen combined with progestin to aid with these issues (another hormone). Hormone therapy, like all drugs, has advantages and disadvantages. Discuss hormone therapy with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. If you opt to utilise hormone therapy, start with the lowest effective dose. Also, just utilise hormones for as long as you need them.
Who should not use menopausal hormone therapy?
Women who are:
• They believe they are pregnant.
• Have vaginal bleeding issues.
• Have had specific types of cancer.
• Have suffered a stroke or a heart attack.
• Have a history of blood clots.
• Suffer from liver illness.
What are the advantages of hormone therapy for menopause?
• Hormone therapy may aid in the relief of hot flashes, nocturnal sweats, vaginal dryness, and dyspareunia (pain associated with sexual activity).
• Hormones may lessen your risk of developing thin, brittle bones (osteoporosis).
What are the dangers of hormone therapy?
Hormone therapy may raise the risk of blood clots, heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, and gall bladder illness in some women. Estrogen enhances a woman’s risk of developing endometrial cancer if she has a uterus (cancer of the uterine lining).
The addition of progestin reduces this risk.
How long should I continue using hormone therapy to treat menopausal symptoms?
• Consult with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. Treatment of menopausal symptoms should be discussed with your healthcare professional, as there are numerous FDA-approved hormones for treating menopausal symptoms.
Does it matter what type of hormones I use for menopause?
Yes. The FDA recommends that women take FDA-approved hormone treatments. Hormone therapy approved by the FDA are tested for safety and efficacy.
Are compounded “bioidentical hormones” safer or more effective than FDA-approved menopausal hormone therapy?
Many marketed “bioidentical hormones” are compounded medications that have not been approved by the FDA. The FDA has no proof that compounded “bioidentical hormones” are safer or more effective than FDA-approved hormone therapy.
The FDA has approved medications that include hormones that are identical to those produced naturally by women during their reproductive years.
Is estriol considered a “safer type of oestrogen”?
The FDA has no proof that medications containing estriol are safe and effective, or that they are “safer forms of oestrogen.” There are no FDA-approved estriol-containing medicines. Marketed estriol-containing medications are compounded drugs that have not been approved by the FDA.
Has the FDA authorised any additional menopausal treatments?
Yes. The FDA approved: in 2013.
• A non-hormonal treatment for moderate to severe hot flashes associated with menopause. • A medication to treat moderate to severe dyspareunia (pain during sexual activity) caused by menopausal vaginal changes.
Are herbs and other “natural” goods effective in treating menopausal symptoms?
The FDA does not know if herbs or other “natural” products are beneficial or safe at this time.
Hormones and Menopause
Should I only use oestrogen to avoid thin bones?
You certainly can, but there are other medications and things you can do to improve your bones. Consult with your healthcare practitioner.
Should I use hormone therapy to protect my heart and avoid strokes?
No, hormone therapy should not be used to prevent heart attacks or strokes.
Should I take hormone therapy to prevent Alzheimer’s disease or memory loss?
No, hormone therapy should not be used to prevent memory loss or Alzheimer’s disease.
Do hormones prevent ageing and wrinkles or boost my sexual desire?
Hormone therapy has not been proved in studies to prevent ageing and wrinkles or to boost sex drive.