While many women are familiar with infertility solutions such as in vitro fertilization, very few are familiar with hormone treatments that can help women adjust after their years of fertility. Hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, has many benefits associated with it. There are also risks, however, so you should speak with your doctor before deciding to go through with HRT. Below are some of the benefits that HRT can provide if you and your doctor decide that its benefits outweigh the risks.
Hormone replacement therapy for early and regular menopause
The average age for menopause is 51, however, some women can experience menopausal symptoms as late as in their 60s, or as early as in their 30’s. Despite the increase in life expectancy compared with earlier generations, the average age for menopause has remained the same. Hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, can provide relief from menopausal symptoms. However, it should be used for no longer than 5 years.
Hormone replacement therapy can delay the onset of dementia or Alzheimer’s
While there are no treatments to cure dementia or Alzheimer’s, there are treatments to help delay the onset of these diseases. Hormone replacement therapy can help to delay the aging process of your cells, thus slowing down any dementia or Alzheimer’s. It is best to speak with your doctor if you are looking into HRT for this reason, as the effects of HRT on these diseases are debated.
Hormone replacement therapy can reduce risk for osteoporosis
Hormone replacement therapy can actually reduce your risk for osteoporosis. Despite these potential benefits, HRT is not recommended for long periods of time. If you exceed the recommended treatment length, HRT may actually have the reverse effect, causing your bones to deteriorate quicker than they usually would. Again, it is best to speak with your doctor to determine which treatment options are best for you.
Reduce risk of cancer of the colon and rectum
Hormone replacement therapy can also reduce your risk for cancer of the colon and rectum. HRT should likely not be used solely for this reason and this benefit should be seen as a positive on top of the reason you are considering HRT. Again, HRT could have negative effects if used for longer than the recommended period of time.
Hormone replacement therapy versus bioidentical hormone therapy
If you are considering hormone replacement therapy, you should also consider bioidentical replacement therapy. Bioidentical replacement therapy matches the hormones that are found in your body to the treatment that you’ll be receiving. Similar to HRT, bioidentical replacement therapy also has its risks, so its best to do your research before deciding on any type of therapy.
Before you decide on hormone replacement therapy, you should discuss its risks with your doctor. If you have high blood pressure or a high risk for breast cancer, you will absolutely want to discuss HRT with your doctor. The benefits of HRT can outweigh the risks if used for short-term treatment only.