Hormone therapy, particularly estrogen therapy, has tremendous benefits for women. We feel more alive and in harmony with the world when our hormones are in balance. Unfortunately, there are also some known health risks of hormone therapy, such as increased risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, breast cancer, and blood clots. Here are some excellent ways to reduce those risks while maintaining a healthy treatment course.
Minimize your dosage
The ideal balance in your hormone therapy is to find the minimum effective dosage your body needs. All of our bodies are unique, which is why one standard dosage level is neither effective nor safe for all women. It’s best to take only the minimum dosage for the shortest amount of time needed. If you’re experiencing menopause, your body may require a longer treatment plan than if you were under the age of 40.
Make healthy changes to your lifestyle
There are basic, easy changes you can instill to help your body naturally fight off any unnecessary health risks due to hormone therapy, such as:
- Get a good night’s rest, at least seven, if not eight or nine hours is highly recommended;
Quit smoking; - Eat for a healthy diet, including balanced portions and timing of your meals;
- Exercise regularly. Even a short, brisk walk for 8-10 minutes a day is a good start;
- Reduce stress wherever you can;
- Monitor your cholesterol levels and your blood pressure.
Find the best treatment plan and delivery method for your body
Pill treatments may not be the most effective method for your body, but a patch or vagina cream may be just what your body needs. If you’re experiencing symptoms only in your vaginal area, some doctors recommend starting with a low dosage of estrogen in a vaginal cream. (Source) If one form of treatment is ineffective, it’s worth finding the treatment that’s most natural for your body. You and your doctor need to be a team working to find the right treatment.
At ReVital, we want to value your lifestyle with care and attention, not a one-size-fits-all approach that may not work for your body. Our ReVital team put together a FREE eBook available here to help you understand the different types of hormone therapy available for women today. Download your FREE eBook today and schedule your next appointment with our ReVital team.