Menopause happens to all women, and many choose to manage their menopausal symptoms with hormone therapy or complementary and alternative medicine.
Being informed about your treatment options will enable you to make the best choice for yourself, making your menopausal transition as smooth as possible.
What is hormone replacement therapy (HRT)?
Hormone replacement therapy HRT is an effective treatment prescribed by healthcare professionals to replace the hormones that the body stops producing during the menopause.
Female hormone levels drop rapidly during menopause. This deficit can have significant effects on the mental and physical health of women.
Typical menopausal symptoms include:
- vaginal dryness
- hot flushes
- night sweats
- mood swings
- urinary symptoms
- reduced sexual desire
- brain fog
HRT can help during menopausal transition, but clinical studies also show that it can protect against loss of bone mineral density and heart disease, which commonly affect postmenopausal women.
Reasons women may wish to avoid traditional HRT
Taking hormone replacement therapy is a personal choice, and women have many reasons to decide against managing their menopause with medication.
These reasons range from their medical history to a personal preference for alternative therapies.
Perceived risks of hormone replacement therapy
Early studies indicated that HRT could increase the risks of breast cancer, endometrial cancer, raised blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease in some women.
However, more recent research suggests that HRT is safer than previously thought for most menopausal and perimenopausal women.
A history of breast cancer
Women who have had breast cancer that is sensitive to female hormones are not considered suitable for hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
High blood pressure issues
Many women with high blood pressure have been advised that they are unsuitable for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) as it could increase their blood pressure.
More recent research suggests that when delivered via skin patch, gel, or spray, HRT has beneficial effects on blood pressure.
A preference for alternative therapies
Many of us prefer to avoid medication as much as possible, and many women turn to complementary and alternative medicine to treat menopause symptoms.
Few menopausal symptoms
We are all unique, and some women sail through the menopause without suffering from severe hot flashes, night sweats or any other typical menopausal symptoms.
When this is the case, women don’t feel that they need any medical intervention.
What are bioidentical hormones?
Unlike traditional HRT, which is made from synthetic chemicals, bio-identical hormones are plant-based and derived from yams and soya extracts.
Our patients thrive on bioidentical hormones derived from plant oestrogens, which have the same chemical and molecular structure as naturally occurring human hormones, reducing the risk of side effects.
Complementary and alternative therapies that may be useful during menopause
Women facing the challenges of menopause symptoms find relief with all sorts of alternative treatments.
Popular herbal remedies
Black cohosh
Many women find that this herbal supplement reduces the number and severity of their hot flushes.
Evening primrose oil
Evening primrose oil is valued by many women who find that it alleviates the hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings and dry skin they experience during menopause.
Talking therapy for support during menopause
Some women are prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to help with the anxiety and mood swings common during this phase of life.
However, a combined approach of HRT and talking therapy is often a better option. Many find that counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy is helpful.
Lifestyle tweaks
Many of the milder menopausal symptoms can be alleviated by using relaxation techniques, taking plenty of exercise and eating a good diet.
All these lifestyle tweaks support health by helping you to maintain a healthy weight, regulate blood pressure and improve mood.
Find out more about Bio-identical Hormones at The Menopause Clinic
We are the menopause experts offering Bio-Identical HRT to help you manage your menopause. Our private HRT clinic is CQC registered.
To book an appointment, please call 01706 691683, email info@themenopauseclinic.com, or book online here.
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