With
the advances in medical science, many of the conditions that were
impossible to be treated earlier are now treated with ease. One such
breakthrough treatment is the hormone
replacement therapy
for women. Hormone replacement therapy is routinely prescribed by
doctors to help treat menopausal symptoms and also to reduce the risk
of heart disease and osteoporosis.
What
is hormone
replacement therapy?
It
is a treatment that augments the body's natural hormone levels in the
form of either estrogen-alone therapy or as estrogen with
progesterone therapy. Hormones are the special chemicals that a human
body makes and performs the job of controlling how different parts of
the body work. The two main female hormones produced by the ovaries
are estrogen and progesterone. When a woman enters menopause, the
amount of natural estrogen and progesterone the ovaries produce drop
sharply. This leads to symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, mood
changes, and sleep problems. In many women it also increases their
risk of developing osteoporosis later on in life.
Following
are some of the reasons why a woman's body may not produce enough
estrogen.
Menopause:
This is one of the most common reasons for low estrogen being
produced in women's bodies. This is the time when the woman's
menstrual cycle slows down and eventually comes to a complete
standstill. During this stage, the ovaries slowly stop making these
hormones.
Removal
of ovaries: If a woman
has her ovaries removed, the estrogen levels drop. Menopausal
symptoms start as soon as the ovaries are removed as there is no more
production of estrogen.
Other
reasons: In some cases,
putting a lot of strain on the body by means of strenuous exercise
can cause the estrogen levels to drop. For some women a drastic loss
in weight can cause a sharp drop in the estrogen levels.
How
does hormone replacement therapy help?
The
hormone
replacement therapy
helps the body to process calcium which is important for
strengthening of the bones, helps maintain healthy cholesterol
levels, and keeps a woman's body functioning in a healthy manner.
There
are different ways to take hormone replacement therapy. The most
common way is through a pill. However, in some cases it is also given
as a skin patch, cream, or ointment. In some cases, a pellet that
contains estrogen is put beneath the skin and fatty layer of the
abdomen or buttocks. The pellet then releases estrogen into the body
for 4 to 8 months. The amount of hormone replacement needed to reduce
the symptoms varies from woman to woman.
Hormone
replacement therapy is best done under the supervision of your
doctor. After assessing your symptoms and medical history, your
doctor can give you the ideal solution to help deal with your
menopausal problems.
Healthy
Habits offers hormone replacement therapy under
the able care of their qualified medical practitioners.
