Hormone replacement therapy aims to help women who experience a drop in estrogen and progesterone levels during menopause.
According to Medical News Today, HRT for women includes two hormones: estrogen and progestogen.
Some HRT treatments only have estrogen. This form is used for women who have had a hysterectomy and therefore do not need progesterone because there is not a risk of endometrial cancer.
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The hormones come from plants or pregnant horse urine.
Some doctors may recommend Tibolone, which is a synthetic hormone. It uses both hormones typical in HRT and mimics their effects.
Estrogen helps to maintain bone density and skin temperature. A drop in the hormone level can cause hot flashes, cognitive difficulties, moodiness, sleep problems, and other issues.
HRT can help with depression when anti-depressants do not work,
The Telegraph reported.
Progesterone prepares the womb for pregnancy, helping to protect its lining. It also protects from the development of endometrial cancer.
The three main types of HRT are the kind with only estrogen, cyclical or sequential HRT, and continuous HRT.
Cyclical HRT is used for women with menstrual cycles, but with symptoms similar to those experienced during menopause. This is typically known as perimenopause. Doses are typically given following a menstrual cycle or for two weeks every 13 weeks.
Continuous HRT is for post-menopausal patients and is taken continuously.
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HRT can be administered as a cream or gel, taken in tablets, or received with a skin patch.
The therapy became popular in 2002 as it was nicknamed the “Elixir of Youth.” Later, however, studies showed HRT leads to a greater risk of cancers, including breast and ovarian cancer, and stroke,
according to the Mayo Clinic.
Since then, however, new guidelines have been released for the administration of the treatment. Specifically, HRT should be used for short term consumption. Women should not take HRT for more than five years.
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