How Do You Know That You Need Hormone Replacement Therapy?

What Is Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)?

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is a medical treatment given to women experiencing certain conditions due to a decline in estrogen and progesterone levels. HRT is mostly used to relieve the symptoms of menopause and other conditions such as bone loss, breast cancer, and infertility.

Indications You Need Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT):

It is a misconception that anybody can take Hormone replacement therapy (HRT). In reality, HRT is not suitable for every woman. But for those it is reasonable, HRT can help treat and reduce symptoms of menopause. Here is a list of signs that show that you might need hormone replacement therapy (HRT):

● Hot flashes

When you age, your estrogen levels decrease considerably. It can cause moderate to severe hot flashes. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) with estrogen remains the most effective treatment to relieve troublesome menopausal hot flashes and night sweats.

● Night sweats

Night sweats are very commonly experienced by women who are undergoing perimenopause and menopause. These are normal phases of a woman's life. During this time, ovaries produce fewer hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. The imbalanced hormones cause the menstrual cycle to become irregular. HRT can help with this condition.

● Vaginal atrophy (vaginal dryness)

Vaginal atrophy is another very common symptom of menopause. Getting estrogen therapy can ease this female sexual health condition.

● Pain, burning, or itching during sexual intercourse

As the levels of estrogen fall when women approach menopause, it results in the thinning of vaginal tissues. It can cause sexual intercourse to become quite uncomfortable for most women. These symptoms can be reduced through estrogen therapy.

● Osteoporosis (loss of bones)

Menopause causes the bones to become thin, brittle, and weak. It increases the chances of bone loss or fractures. Usually, doctors recommend bisphosphonates to treat osteoporosis. But it might not help some women. These women can take help from estrogen therapy.

● Reduced sex desire

The decreased estrogen and testosterone during menopause can lead to changes in a woman's sexual drive. During this time, women may feel that they're not easily aroused and may be less sensitive to touching and stroking. Hormone therapy improves sexual functioning by restoring lubrication and reducing pain during sex.

● Mood swings

Being offended easily is one of the most common emotional symptoms of menopause. If you continue to feel irritable and sad as you approach menopause, it could be related to menopause. Short-term hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be a good option for some women.

● Insomnia (Sleep problems)

The menopausal deterioration of estrogen contributes to disrupted sleep by causing menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, anxiety, and depression. These can all lead to sleep problems. Recent research has shown that Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the first-line treatment for menopausal insomnia.

Female Sexual Health Conditions That May Cause Hormone Imbalance:

Hormones in women decline naturally as you continue to age. However, in some instances, some conditions may cause abnormally low levels of hormones. Such situations need treatment. Multiple female sexual health conditions are caused due to an imbalance in levels of hormones. And these conditions also appear to be benefitted from hormone replacement therapy. These conditions are listed below:

Menopause

Menopause is the period when women have stopped having periods for more than a year already. It is a natural process that occurs as a result of aging. Before menopause, women's ovaries shrink, causing the hormone levels to fluctuate. It can force women to experience menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, etc. Menopause is quite tricky for most women to deal with. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) can help women deal with it.

Surgical Removal of Ovaries

Suppose your ovaries have been removed surgically before 45. In that case, your body might not be producing enough estrogen that helps prevent diseases like cardiac issues, bone loss, various types of cancer, or mood swings. To avoid such problems, you may try HRT.

Early menopause

Early menopause is a female sexual health condition in which a woman experiences menopause before 45. Hence, the woman's body requires more estrogen to help protect the body. Women may try hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to prevent it.

Primary Ovarian Insufficiency

It is a condition in which women's ovaries lose their normal functioning before 45. If this happens, you may lack estrogen. To fulfill the need for estrogen in your body, you can take hormone replacement therapy.

Other female sexual health conditions that can be treated through Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) include breast cancer, infertility, and endometrial hyperplasia.