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Menopause occurs when your menstrual cycle stops because of low hormone levels and typically starts between the ages of 45 and 55 but can start earlier. It often comes with a variety of negative symptoms that can be very distressing. But that’s where hormone replacement therapy comes in. This life-changing treatment can give you the relief you deserve.
What is HRT?
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a medication that typically contains female hormones (oestrogen and progesterone) and is taken to replace estrogen that your body stops making once you start menopause. It can be very helpful in alleviating symptoms of menopause, like hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, insomnia, and vaginal dryness.
There are main types of HRT:
- Systemic hormone therapy: This is estrogen that comes in a pill, patch, ring, cream, gel, or spray. The body absorbs the estrogen and addresses a number of menopausal symptoms.
- Low-dose vaginal products: Low-dose vaginal estrogen comes in a cream, tablet, or ring and provides a minimal amount of estrogen. It’s often used to treat the vaginal or urinary symptoms of menopause.
Who is a Good Candidate for HRT?
Many women going through menopause can be good candidates for HRT, but some criteria we look for at MAIA in Downers Grove include:
- Having moderate to severe hot flashes
- Experiencing vaginal dryness, itching, burning, or discomfort during sex
- Night sweats
- Looking to prevent bone loss or fractures and osteoporosis
- Experiencing early menopause
- Have an estrogen deficiency
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HRT is not appropriate for everyone. It may not be for you if:
- Have or had breast cancer, ovarian cancer, or uterine cancer.
- Have abnormal vaginal bleeding.
- Have had blood clots
- Have a history of stroke, heart attack, or an increased risk for heart disease
- Are pregnant
- Have gallbladder or liver disease
HRT Treatment Options
There are a couple of different HRT treatment options, and which one is right for you depends on your symptoms and overall health.
Estrogen Therapy
Estrogen therapy involves taking only estrogen. Your provider will often prescribe a low dose of estrogen to begin with and up the dose as needed. This is most often recommended for those who have had a hysterectomy. Estrogen comes in many forms, including:
- Pills you take by mouth
- Patch you apply to the skin
- Gel placed inside the vagina
- Ring you wear inside the vagina
- Cream you apply to the vagina
- Tablet you place inside the vagina
- Spray you apply to your arm
Combination Therapy
Combination therapy combines estrogen and progesterone and often comes in a pill, patch, or IUD that’s placed in the vagina. This type of HRT is recommended most for those who have not had a hysterectomy, as the uterus needs progesterone.
What to Expect with HRT
When you start HRT with our providers at MAIA, Dr. Wolowick or Dr. Mitchell will start you on the lowest dose and then adjust it as needed until your symptoms are under control. People who stop producing estrogen before the age of 40 often take a higher dose to replace what their ovaries would typically produce at that age.
With estrogen-only therapy, you typically take it (or apply it) once a day.
Combination therapy can be taken in two different ways. With continuous-combined therapy, you take estrogen and progesterone once a day every day. With cycle therapy, you take estrogen every day and progesterone 12-15 days each month.
Schedule A Conversation
Don’t let menopause rule your life! With hormone replacement therapy, you can finally achieve the relief you’re looking for. Take the first step and schedule a consultation at MAIA today! Call our Downers Grove, IL office at 630-320-6703 or use our online contact form. We happily serve the Naperville, Downers Grove, Chicago, and Aurora, IL areas.
