Wellness
Hormone replacement therapy is an option of therapy for post-menopausal women, or women who have had an absence of vaginal bleeding from their menstrual cycle for more than 12 months, that may be experiencing menopausal symptoms like hot flashes or night sweats.
These symptoms of menopause could be related to the elevated risk of bone loss that can take place in order to replace what their ovaries used to make. About 75% of women will have some symptoms of menopause, including weight gain or hot flashes, which may be mild or not too bothersome and managed by minor changes like adopting a balanced diet or exercise plan.
However, about 25% of women will have an increased risk for severe postmenopause symptoms, from painful intercourse, urinary symptoms, and breast tenderness to incapacitating hot flashes that stop them in their tracks and cause serious disruptions to their sleep patterns. Most women in this category need some type of medical therapy, and hormone replacement therapy is the gold standard. It is one of the methods that will truly work.
At LifeGaines, we understand how challenging the journey through menopause can be. From navigating uncomfortable symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats to managing changes in bone health and emotional well-being, this phase of life often brings unique hurdles. Our team is dedicated to providing compassionate, expert guidance to help you regain balance, comfort, and confidence.
Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Cardiovascular Disease
Next to the postmenopause symptoms, the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) increases after menopause due to not having enough estrogen. Estrogen plays a protective role in heart health by maintaining healthy blood vessel function, reducing inflammation, and managing cholesterol levels.
The Role of Timing in Cardiovascular Benefits
Research shows that women who start MHT before the age of 60 or within 10 years of menopause experience a reduction in the risk of heart issues. During this “window of opportunity,” estrogen-only therapy may:
Improve Blood Vessel Elasticity
HRT enhances the flexibility of arteries, reducing stiffness and lowering the risk of heart attack.
Balance Cholesterol Levels
Hormone therapy lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol and increases HDL (good) cholesterol to support heart health.
Reduce Cardiovascular Inflammation
HRT decreases inflammation, helping to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis.
The Risk of Starting HRT Later in Life
However, starting estrogen therapy later—beyond age 60 or 20 years after menopause—may increase cardiac risk.
It is important to speak to your healthcare provider about the importance of timing and individualized care when considering introducing female hormones into your treatment plan.
What Are the Benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy for Menopausal Symptoms?
Taking HRT provides targeted relief for a wide range of symptoms experienced during menopause. It is especially beneficial for managing disruptive symptoms while offering additional health benefits under specific conditions.
Symptoms HRT Can Address
Menopause often comes with a variety of symptoms due to lost hormones, ranging from mild to severe, depending on health history and other chronic conditions.
If you begin HRT, here are some of the other symptoms treatment can address:
Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
Hot flashes and night sweats are among the most common symptoms of menopause. While 75% of women experience them, 25% report severe, debilitating episodes that disrupt their daily lives and sleep patterns.
Sleep Disruptions
Hormonal changes can lead to frequent sleep interruptions, leaving many women fatigued and less productive during the day. Experiencing evening sweats further exacerbates these disruptions, leading to a cycle of poor rest.
Vaginal Dryness
Reduced estrogen levels can result in many women having vaginal dryness and discomfort, often impacting intimacy and quality of life. Vaginal lubricants and vaginal cream, in addition to taking HRT, can help with this symptom.
Bone Health and Vaginal Symptom Relief
Menopause accelerates bone density loss, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures at a lower average age for women if left untreated.
Additional Benefits
Research shows that women who start MHT under the age of 60 or within 10 years of menopause experience fewer cases of diabetes and heart issues. Timing, however, is critical for achieving these benefits.
What Are the Benefits of Menopausal Hormone Therapy for Menopausal Symptoms?
Hormone replacement therapies relieve hot flashes and improve sleep with fewer sleep disruptions and better dream sleep. It also prevents bone loss and some of the more localized symptoms that women have, including vaginal dryness. Plus, there are a few other benefits. There are fewer cases of diabetes and less heart disease, but only in women that started when they were under the age of 60 or within 10 years of menopause.
In 2002, when the Women’s Health Initiative study came out, everyone was frightened of hormone replacement therapy because it showed risks of heart disease, dementia, blood clots, and stroke. However, what researchers and doctors have discovered in the past 15 years is that age and time for menopause really matter.
When Is the Right Time for Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Women who are under the age of 60 or are within 10 years of menopause are excellent candidates for hormone replacement therapy, especially if they are showing symptoms or are at high risk for bone loss already. Women that fall under these categories can safely take hormone therapy and doctors can minimize the risks.
Assessing Your Risks
Women who are older or further from menopause may actually have more risk from taking hormone replacement therapy. They could experience more heart disease, more dementia, more strokes, and blood clots.
To reiterate, how old you are when you start hormone replacement therapy and how far you are from menopause are really important.
The Best Candidates for HRT
So the best candidate for female hormone replacement therapy are women who are close to menopause. Women who are under the age of 60, or within 10 years of menopause, have reportedly experienced relief of their hot spells, felt improvements in their sleep, and reported fewer cases of heart disease and diabetes.
Women who shouldn’t start hormone therapy are women that are older than 60 or 70 or further than 20 years from menopause.
What Does Hormone Therapy Look Like?
With hormone replacement therapy, some doctors believe that the best therapy is what relieves your specific symptoms. They may attempt to use the lowest dose of therapy to alleviate certain symptoms. This is just one of the ways in which professionals can ensure that the benefits outweigh risks, in addition to working with your needs closely. There are plenty of benefits of hormone replacement therapy that you should consider as well when weighing the pros and cons of receiving this treatment.
The combination of hormone therapies used is wholly dependent on the patient – some people may require estrogen and progesterone, for example, because estrogen alone can promote overgrowth of the lining of the uterus and increase the risks of cancer.
However, someone who has had a hysterectomy does not need and should probably not take progesterone because it may actually increase the risks of breast cancer or uterine cancer. These are just some oversimplified examples of why it is crucial to consult with your doctor on your personal medical history to see if you are a good candidate for hormone therapy.
Which Therapy is Right for Me?
Hormone therapy is available in a few different forms and each one is administered a bit differently, depending on your individual situation. Multiple estrogen products are FDA-approved, including Estradiol, which contains estrogen bioidentical hormones made in your body prior to experiencing menopause. It is available as an oral tablet and also as a skin patch, gel, cream, spray, or vaginal ring. Similarly, progesterone comes in different forms as well – including an FDA-approved bioidentical that can also be administered orally.
Your medical provider will work with you to determine whether hormone therapy is right for you – and if so, which formulas, dosage, and method of intake are best in your individual circumstances.
You’re a Candidate for HRT – Now What?
If you are a good candidate for hormone therapy – it will generally be administered in the lowest dose for the shortest duration needed to achieve treatment goals. There is no set duration of therapy that is right for every person. That is why your medical provider should review your ongoing need for hormone therapy – you can request this to be done on an annual basis so that your doctor can take note of your current state of health and factor in any new information about hormone therapy that may have become available in the meantime.
Take the First Step Toward Better Health
If you’re curious about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or testosterone therapy, the team at LifeGaines is here to help. Whether you’re navigating menopause, addressing low testosterone, or exploring ways to enhance your quality of life, personalized care is just a call or click away.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
LifeGaines offers free consultations to discuss your needs, answer your questions, and explore the best treatment options for you. Call (561) 931-2430 for more information.
We’re Here for You
At LifeGaines, we understand how challenging hormonal changes can be, and we’re committed to supporting you with compassionate, expert care. Your journey to feeling your best starts with a conversation. Reach out today—we’d love to help you take the next step toward a healthier, happier you.
