{"id":1664,"date":"2023-03-01T12:11:29","date_gmt":"2023-03-01T12:11:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/?p=1664"},"modified":"2023-04-04T12:23:06","modified_gmt":"2023-04-04T12:23:06","slug":"treating-menopause-with-hrt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/treating-menopause-with-hrt\/","title":{"rendered":"Treating Menopause with HRT"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">HRT, or hormone replacement therapy, is a method of treating menopuase symptoms. Generally, the patient&#8217;s age, personal and family medical history, and the severity of their symptoms are all considered before beginning an HRT regimen.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you suspect that you might benefit from hormone replacement therapy, feel free to schedule an appointment with our experts in the field of <\/span><a href=\"\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">obstetrics and gynecology in South Miami, Florida<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, today.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Furthermore, if you would like to learn more about the benefits and possible risks of hormone replacement therapy, this article will have the answers you&#8217;re looking for.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>HRT: Understanding the Roles of Progesterone and Estrogen<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Both of these compounds are essential female hormones that are produced in the ovaries.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Estrogen<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is responsible for several bodily functions, such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Influencing the body&#8217;s calcium uptake, which is pivotal for bone health<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Thickening the uterine lining, preparing it for the chance of fertilized egg implantation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Regulating blood cholesterol levels<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Helping prevent osteoporosis<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Improving overall vaginal health<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Progesterone, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">similarly to estrogen, also plays a crucial role in several bodily functions, such as:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Helping with becoming pregnant and maintaining pregnancy<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Improving sleep and mood<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Helping with blood pressure regulation<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>HRT to Treat Menopause<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1666\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2023\/04\/HRT-to-Treat-Menopause.jpg\" alt=\"Menopause Word on Wooden Block. Flat Lay View on Light Pink Background.\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2023\/04\/HRT-to-Treat-Menopause-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2023\/04\/HRT-to-Treat-Menopause-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2023\/04\/HRT-to-Treat-Menopause-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2023\/04\/HRT-to-Treat-Menopause-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2023\/04\/HRT-to-Treat-Menopause-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2023\/04\/HRT-to-Treat-Menopause-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2023\/04\/HRT-to-Treat-Menopause.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As women begin their transition into menopause, their ovaries tend to produce less of these crucial hormones, and these hormonal changes can cause several unwanted symptoms, such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Cold flashes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Night sweats<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hot flashes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Urinary urgency<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Insomnia<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Depression, irritability, mood swings<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Dry skin, eyes, and mouth<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">HRT can effectively treat menopause symptoms by boosting hormone levels and relieving some of those symptoms. Assessing whether it&#8217;s the proper treatment for you should be done with an experienced healthcare provider who will help you better understand the benefits, the risks, and the possible HRT side effects.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Types of Hormone Replacement Therapy<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Generally, providers recommend two many HRT types, which are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>EPT or Estrogen Progesterone\/Progestin Therapy:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Also known as combination therapy, containing estrogen and progestin (synthetic progesterone) doses.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Estrogen Therapy:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> In this type of HRT, patients only take estrogen, usually in the form of a pill or a patch that should be used daily. Also, providers may prescribe estrogen as vaginal rings, creams, gels, or sprays. Patients only need to take the lowest doses that relieve their symptoms efficiently.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>The Uterus and HRT<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Regarding hormone replacement therapy, a lot of women wonder whether having or not having a uterus can make a massive difference in which type of HRT the patient should take. Experts agree that the presence of the uterus will, in fact, affect the kind of therapy patients should opt for.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>For those with a uterus<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, the better option is to take estrogen and progesterone together. The risks of hormone replacement therapy when taking estrogen alone while having a uterus can become more prominent. There&#8217;s a more significant chance for malignant tumor formation in the uterine lining (the endometrium).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As you may know, during a woman&#8217;s reproductive years, the endometrium sheds its cells during menstruation. After menstruation stops, the endometrium no longer does this, and taking estrogen alone can lead to cell overgrowth in the uterus, which may turn cancerous. When progesterone is introduced alongside exogenous estrogen, the risks of endometrial cancer are reduced as progesterone thins the endometrium.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>After a hysterectomy <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">or uterine removal, women usually won&#8217;t need to take progesterone. This is also essential, as it may lead to fewer long-term risks of hormone replacement therapy than estrogen and progesterone taken together.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Most Prominent HRT Products<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There are several options when it comes to postmenopausal hormones, and these are only a few supplements:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Estrogen<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Creams\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pills\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Vaginal Rings<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Patch<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Vaginal Tablets<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sprays<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Combination HRT<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Patches<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pills<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>DHEA or Vaginal Dehydroepiandrosterone<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Vaginal Insert<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>The Benefits of HRT<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For the most part, HRT is recommended to relieve menopause symptoms, such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Vaginal dryness that may lead to painful sex<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hot flashes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Night flashes, itchy, dry skin, and other symptoms related to menopuase<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Apart from treating menopause symptoms, HRT may also have other health benefits, such as:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">An improved overall sense of mental well-being and improved mood in some women<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Improved bone density, and reduced risks of developing osteoporosis<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Lowered colon cancer and diabetes risk<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Some improvements in joint pain management<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Decreased tooth loss<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The slightly lower death rate for women in their 50s who take HRT<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Risks of Hormone Replacement Therapy and HRT Side Effects<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">HRT is indeed able to help women get through menopause, but the treatment still has its associated risks. These may include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Increased risks of stroke and blood clots<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Increased risks of endometrial cancer in the circumstances discussed above<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer&#8217;s when taken mid-life\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Long-term use may increase breast cancer risks<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When assessing the side effects, HRT may come with the following downsides:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Monthly bleeding under specific circumstances<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mood swings<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Irregular spotting<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tender breasts<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Headaches<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Fluid retention<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Black or brown spots on the skin<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Skin irritation under HRT patches<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Increased breast density<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Still, patients should remember that HRT side effects are usually mild and manageable. When the issues become bothersome, you can always discuss adjusting the dosage or changing your HRT regimen with your provider to address side effects. The worst thing patients can do in these cases is to alter their regimen or stop their medication altogether without consulting their doctor.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>HRT and Heart Disease<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Some women may wonder whether HRT will lead to heart disease. Currently, the medical community has attempted to answer this question via larger studies. There&#8217;s research that shows positive results, and there are also trials that came back with adverse effects.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Still, based on the available data, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">American Heart Association<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> has stated that HRT isn&#8217;t recommended to prevent heart problems.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>HRT and Breast Cancer<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The risks of hormone replacement therapy may include breast cancer development as well, mostly when estrogen therapy is combined with progesterone. Still, it&#8217;s essential to consider the following findings:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Progesterone and estrogen therapy showed only a rare increase when assessing absolute risk. This means that the malignancy will develop as a direct result of HRT in less than one in a thousand women.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Estrogen therapy alone will lead to nonsignificant breast cancer chance reduction in women who have undergone hysterectomy.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Women with a previous history of breast cancer should not take HRT.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Who Should NOT Consider HRT?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1667\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2023\/04\/Who-Should-NOT-Consider-HRT.jpg\" alt=\"Text Hrt Replacement Therapy on Light Box.\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2023\/04\/Who-Should-NOT-Consider-HRT-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2023\/04\/Who-Should-NOT-Consider-HRT-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2023\/04\/Who-Should-NOT-Consider-HRT-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2023\/04\/Who-Should-NOT-Consider-HRT-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2023\/04\/Who-Should-NOT-Consider-HRT-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2023\/04\/Who-Should-NOT-Consider-HRT-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2023\/04\/Who-Should-NOT-Consider-HRT.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Therapy typically isn&#8217;t recommended if the patient:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Had or has endometrial or breast cancer<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Has abnormal vaginal bleeding<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Has a high risk for blood clot formation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Has a history of heart attacks, strokes, or generally increased risk for different vascular problems<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Is pregnant<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Has liver disease<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>An Individual Decision You Don&#8217;t Have to Make Entirely Alone<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Opting for HRT should be a personalized decision as it is not for everyone. Before starting it, patients should discuss the benefits and the risks with their providers. They should carefully assess every aspect of the treatment to see whether the benefits outweigh the risks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Still, with the help of a knowledgeable team of experts, patients will be able to make a more informed decision. Also, partnering up with professionals will mean better symptom management and monitoring.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As such, if you want to learn more about HRT, contact us today.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>HRT, or hormone replacement therapy, is a method of treating menopuase symptoms. Generally, the patient&#8217;s age, personal and family medical history, and the severity of their symptoms are all considered before beginning an HRT regimen.\u00a0 If you suspect that you might benefit from hormone replacement therapy, feel free to schedule an appointment with our experts  [&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1665,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[371,369,373,372,370],"class_list":["post-1664","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-menopause","tag-estrogen-therapy","tag-hormone-replacement-therapy","tag-hrt-side-effects","tag-risks-of-hormone-replacement-therapy","tag-treat-menopause-symptoms"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1664","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1664"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1664\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1665"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1664"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1664"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1664"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}