HRT – Oestrogen Only Treatment for Dealing with Menopausal Symptoms

The fact that you’ve landed on this link says that you seek information on HRT, and this is a great place to start. So, let’s begin with the basics!

The term HRT stands for Hormone Replacement Therapy and is mainly used to relieve symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness. When you reach out to a healthcare professional, they will take your age, family medical history, the severity of your symptoms, and even your own medical history into account and then decide on whether or not you should go for the treatment.

Introduction to HRT

HRT is usually recommended for women facing menopausal symptoms on or before the age of 40. As one transitions to menopause, the ovaries stop making enough oestrogen. This leads to uncomfortable symptoms such as painful sexual intercourse, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, night sweats, depression, leaking pee, mood swings, insomnia, and more. This is when HRT – oestrogen only treatment is recommended.

As you might have guessed, HRT replaces the hormones in the body – the ones the body isn’t making enough of. Once the hormone levels start rising, people find relief from the painful symptoms.

Types of hormone replacement therapy

The two main types of HRT include HRT – oestrogen only and combination therapy – which includes oestrogen and progesterone. This usually depends on the healthcare provider, who’ll discuss the treatments with you and recommend the one that he/ she thinks would work the best for you. 

The oestrogen therapy begins with a low dose of oestrogen. This can either be in the form of a pill to be taken orally but can also come in a range of other options, such as a patch or gel to be applied on the skin, a ring or a tablet that has to be inserted into the vagina, or even a cream that has to be applied to the vagina.

As for the combination therapy, it combines doses of oestrogen and progesterone. This usually comes in a pill or patch form but can also come in an IUD that has to be placed in the vagina.

Benefits of HRT – oestrogen only

• Systematic oestrogen therapy is considered to be the most effective way of dealing with menopausal hot flashes and night sweats. In fact, it lowers the severity and frequency of hot flushes by as much as 85%.
• Oestrogen therapy is also great for easing other menopausal symptoms such as dryness of the vagina, itching and burning sensation down under, and discomfort during intercourse.
• HRT – oestrogen only, protects against bone-thinning diseases, such as osteoporosis. While there are a few medications that are explicitly used to deal with osteoporosis, oestrogen treatment can help, particularly when other treatments aren’t of much use.
• If you have had your ovaries surgically removed before you were 45 or stopped having periods by the same age, or lost normal function of your ovaries by the age of 40, your body might experience less oestrogen than normal women during menopause. In such situations, oestrogen therapy helps in lowering certain health risks such as stroke, dementia, heart disease, and even osteoporosis.

These are the reasons why women under the age of 45 going through menopause are advised to take oestrogen until the age of 50 – the average age of menopause. The decision to continue the medication/ treatment beyond the age of 50 has to be reviewed annually by a healthcare professional.

How long should the HRT continue?

Usually, women who go for hormone replacement therapy continue it for five years or less, but it doesn’t particularly have a set time limit. In fact, it depends on the severity of the symptoms, the type of HRT your health practitioner recommends and your own preference.

If you are not sure, feel free to connect with a health practitioner to reevaluate your treatment plan. Find out if it’s still safe to continue taking HRT.

That said, in some cases, HRT – oestrogen only may not be a viable option. Some of those instances are mentioned below.

• Have a history of ovarian cancer, breast cancer, or even uterus (womb) cancer
• Have a history of stroke or other heart ailments
• Have liver disease
• Have a history of blood clots
• Have high blood pressure
• Are breastfeeding or pregnant

Connecting with a healthcare provider for HRT

Navigating early menopausal symptoms can be overwhelming. Whether you are facing hot flashes, disrupted sleep, or mood swings, the changes your body goes through during this period are quite a handful and need proper care. That said, while the idea of seeking help can seem a little daunting, connecting with a healthcare professional can truly make a difference.

Let’s face it – no two bodies are the same, and when it comes to HRT – oestrogen only, a tailored approach is an absolute must! HRT can sure bring about great relief but it isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach/ solution. The mode of administration, dosage, and risks – all have to be evaluated based on your lifestyle and your unique medical history.

A healthcare professional doesn’t just prescribe; he or she will also listen to your problems, assess your situation, and guide you every step of the way. More importantly, consulting with a healthcare professional gives you a safe space – a place where you can discuss your concerns frankly, and that in itself is quite empowering.

So, don’t hesitate to reach out. Only a professional healthcare practitioner can help you understand your options and prescribe HRT – a solution for long-term health.