Hormone replacement therapy for women has changed in recent years. Hormone therapy helps replace the hormones your body may no longer be producing. Years ago, doctors readily prescribed hormone replacement therapy for women with no hesitation. As our understanding of hormone treatments and their effect on our bodies evolved, so has our approach to prescribing hormone therapy. For example, hormone therapy is no longer recommended for disease prevention, such as heart disease or memory loss.
There are many benefits of hormone therapy for women. It all depends on the purpose and extent to which our bodies will receive and respond to specific hormone treatments. There are two main hormone treatments for women: low-dose vaginal preparations and systemic hormone therapy.
Low-Dose Vaginal Preparations
Low-dose vaginal preparations often involve estrogen designed to treat vaginal and some urinary symptoms. The preparations typically come in tablet, cream, or ring form. Unfortunately, low-dose vaginal preparations do not alleviate hot flashes, night sweats, or prevention of osteoporosis.
Systemic Hormone Therapy
One of the most common forms of systemic hormone therapy is systemic estrogen. It is the most effective treatment form for menopausal night sweats and hot flashes. It used to be highly recommended for preventing osteoporosis, but many physicians now prescribe bisphosphonates instead. Systemic estrogen can also help relieve vaginal symptoms during menopause, such as burning, dryness, itching, and pain during intercourse.
As with any medical treatment, there are also risks involved. You may have questions and concerns about the different hormone treatments. Our ReVital team has created a FREE eBook available here to help you learn more about how hormone replacement therapy works. This is a great conversation starter for you and your doctor or one of our ReVital team members. We’re here to care for you and help you feel vibrant and at peace with your body. Download your FREE eBook today and schedule your next appointment with ReVital.