Hormone Replacement Therapy Q & A
What is hormone replacement therapy?
As you age, your body naturally produces fewer hormones. This is especially true after menopause and in the years leading up to it, known as perimenopause. Hormone replacement therapy uses medications containing the female hormones estrogen and progesterone to replace what your body no longer makes.
What does hormone replacement therapy treat?
Estrogen and progesterone affect more than just your ovulation and menstrual cycles. When these hormone levels drop, you may experience vaginal discomfort and other common symptoms that occur during menopause.
Hormone replacement therapy relieves symptoms that result from hormone imbalances, such as:
- Vaginal dryness
- Vaginal itching and irritation
- Difficulty sleeping
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Mood swings
- Thinning hair
- Decreased sexual desire
- Pain during sex
- Weight gain
- Urinary incontinence
- Decreased skin elasticity
- Decreased bone density
Additionally, hormone replacement therapy may reduce your risk of osteoporosis, a bone disease that becomes more common after menopause.
Who is a good candidate for hormone replacement therapy?
Your provider at Coeur OBGYN may recommend hormone replacement therapy if you struggle with troublesome symptoms of menopause or perimenopause. This therapy may also be helpful for women who had their ovaries removed during a surgical procedure, such as a hysterectomy.
This treatment may not be right for you if you have a history of one or more of the following conditions:
- Severe migraines
- Heart disease
- Hypertension
- Blood clots
- Stroke
Additionally, women who are or may become pregnant or have a history of endometrial, breast, or ovarian cancers shouldn’t use hormone replacement therapy.
How can I get hormone replacement therapy?
Your physician at Coeur OBGYN performs a physical exam and reviews your symptoms and medical history to make sure you’re a good candidate for hormone replacement therapy. They may take blood tests to check your hormone levels. Then, they develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
Various types of hormonal medications deliver different hormones, such as estrogen-only or combined estrogen/progesterone therapy. You can receive hormone replacement therapy in different ways, including:
- Creams or gels
- Skin patches
- Vaginal ring
- Tablets
- Injections
Your knowledgeable provider helps you decide what form of hormone replacement therapy is right for you. To learn more, call Coeur OBGYN or book an appointment online today.
Hormone Replacement Therapy Q & A
What is hormone replacement therapy?
As you age, your body naturally produces fewer hormones. This is especially true after menopause and in the years leading up to it, known as perimenopause. Hormone replacement therapy uses medications containing the female hormones estrogen and progesterone to replace what your body no longer makes.
What does hormone replacement therapy treat?
Estrogen and progesterone affect more than just your ovulation and menstrual cycles. When these hormone levels drop, you may experience vaginal discomfort and other common symptoms that occur during menopause.
Hormone replacement therapy relieves symptoms that result from hormone imbalances, such as:
- Vaginal dryness
- Vaginal itching and irritation
- Difficulty sleeping
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Mood swings
- Thinning hair
- Decreased sexual desire
- Pain during sex
- Weight gain
- Urinary incontinence
- Decreased skin elasticity
- Decreased bone density
Additionally, hormone replacement therapy may reduce your risk of osteoporosis, a bone disease that becomes more common after menopause.
Who is a good candidate for hormone replacement therapy?
Your provider at Coeur OBGYN may recommend hormone replacement therapy if you struggle with troublesome symptoms of menopause or perimenopause. This therapy may also be helpful for women who had their ovaries removed during a surgical procedure, such as a hysterectomy.
This treatment may not be right for you if you have a history of one or more of the following conditions:
- Severe migraines
- Heart disease
- Hypertension
- Blood clots
- Stroke
Additionally, women who are or may become pregnant or have a history of endometrial, breast, or ovarian cancers shouldn’t use hormone replacement therapy.
How can I get hormone replacement therapy?
Your physician at Coeur OBGYN performs a physical exam and reviews your symptoms and medical history to make sure you’re a good candidate for hormone replacement therapy. They may take blood tests to check your hormone levels. Then, they develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
Various types of hormonal medications deliver different hormones, such as estrogen-only or combined estrogen/progesterone therapy. You can receive hormone replacement therapy in different ways, including:
- Creams or gels
- Skin patches
- Vaginal ring
- Tablets
- Injections
Your knowledgeable provider helps you decide what form of hormone replacement therapy is right for you. To learn more, call Coeur OBGYN or book an appointment online today.
