After your gynecological examination, your doctor may recommend hormone replacement therapy. Hormone replacement therapy helps you get rid of the symptoms of menopause. It replaces hormones that are no longer produced by the ovaries. If you can start hormone therapy before menopause, depending on the situation. If you are on birth control pills, you will stop taking them when starting hormone therapy.
Estrogen is usually given together with progestin (a synthetic version of the hormone progesterone). In this way, the risks of using estrogen alone are eliminated. Progestin can be taken every day with estrogen, or progestin can be taken on certain days while estrogen is taken on certain days.
Hormone therapy is usually prescribed in pill form. Sometimes estrogen can also be given in the form of patches that stick to the skin. Estrogen creams used in the vagina can reduce dryness, but they do not work for other symptoms.
Benefits
Many symptoms of menopause can be relieved by using estrogen. Estrogen is most commonly used for hot flashes, but also for vaginal dryness.
Hormone therapy, including progestin, reduces the risk of endometrial cancer. Estrogen also minimizes changes in organ tissues that can cause urinary tract problems.
Hormone therapy also protects you against heart disease. Thanks to estrogen, HDL in the blood rises. HDL cholesterol prevents cholesterol from accumulating in the walls of the heart.
Estrogen also prevents bone loss. Hormone therapy is the most effective way to prevent postmenopausal bone loss and prevent osteoporosis (bone loss).
Hormone replacement therapy is also protective against Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's is more common in women than men.
Risks
Like all treatment methods, hormone therapy has some risks. The use of estrogen alone may increase the risk of endometrial cancer, as it causes thickening of the endometrial layer. Taking progestins reduces this risk. The disadvantage of using progestin is that monthly bleeding can start again in menopausal women. Although these bleedings are only for a short time, many women do not want to experience menstrual bleeding again.
The biggest concern about hormone therapy is whether it increases the risk of breast cancer. Many studies have been done on this subject, and most of them have not found an increased risk phenomenon. However, a slight increase in risk is considered to be present. Considering the risk factors for hormone therapy, you should make a joint decision with your doctor by discussing the balance of benefits and harms.
Staying Healthy
Good Nutrition
Eating well before, during and after menopause is a very important issue for your health. Your diet needs to be very varied to ensure you are getting all the essential nutrients. Follow a low-calorie and low-cholesterol diet program. Don't forget to get enough calcium to strengthen your bones. 1000 mg per day for women over 50 years of age who use hormone therapy; Those who do not use hormone therapy should take 1500 mg of calcium. If you have trouble getting enough calcium from dairy products or vegetables, a calcium pill can be used.
Exercise
Exercise becomes very important, especially as you get older. Regular exercise slows bone loss and improves overall health. It is beneficial to implement a regular exercise program such as walking or aerobics.
As a result ...
Menopause is a natural event. Today, women spend 1/3 of their lives in the post-menopausal period. Physical changes during menopause shouldn't stop you from enjoying life. To get the best results;
- Exercise regularly
- Follow a balanced diet program with adequate calcium.
- Consult your doctor for hormone therapy.
- Do not forget to go to your doctor for routine checkups.
Tags
