Hormone therapy and menopause
During the menopausal transition, levels of oestrogen and progesterone in the body start to fluctuate and decline. The more dramatic the decline, the more symptoms you're likely to feel and the greater their severity. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can provide relief from severe symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, mood swings and sleep problems. HRT is a treatment that can reduce or eliminate these symptoms by stabilising hormone levels in the body.
HRT can reduce menopausal symptoms in many women, quickly and safely. - Dr. E.A.H. Knauff, gynaecologist
How does hormone therapy work?
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) replaces the sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone that your body produces less of as you go through menopause. By stabilising hormone levels and evening out fluctuations, menopausal symptoms will reduce or even go away altogether.
For many women, HRT is a godsend. They report that it helps reduce symptoms like sleep problems, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, pain in muscles and joints, and that they feel happier and more energetic. In short, hormone therapy can make menopause a much smoother transition.
HRT medicines contain both female sex hormones: oestrogen (oestradiol) and progesterone. By replenishing oestrogen levels, HRT effectively reduces menopausal symptoms. However, oestrogen also builds up the lining of the uterus. Progesterone protects the lining of the uterus from the stimulating effects of oestrogen. This is important, because a surplus of oestrogen can cause heavy bleeding and increase the risk of endometrial cancer. Are you postmenopausal or have you had a hysterectomy? Then it may not be necessary to take progesterone.
Your doctor will work with you to determine which dose of hormones is correct for you. HRT is usually started at a low dose and gradually increased. It can take time to find the right type and dose. The average length of time that women use HRT to ease menopausal symptoms is around five years.
What symptoms does hormone therapy help with?
Since the 1960s, hormone therapy has been widely used as a treatment for relieving all kinds of menopausal symptoms. According to various international organisations, including The Menopause Society, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) remains the most effective treatment for vasomotor symptoms, such as hot flashes. In as little as a few days of starting HRT, these symptoms may begin to improve. HRT can also help with:
- Vasomotoric symptoms (hot flashes and night sweats).
- Vaginal discomfort such as dryness, itching or pain.
- Sleep problems .
- Control and prevention of osteoporosis.
- In some women, HRT has also proven to be beneficial for symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding, migraines and mental problems (mood swings, stress and depression).
Are there any risks or side effects?
Hormone replacement therapy is considered the most effective treatment for menopausal symptoms, but it is not without risk. However, this applies mostly to women who begin HRT more than 10 years from the onset of menopause. The risks include:
- Increased risks of breast cancer and endometrial cancer with long-term use (five years or more).
- A small increase in the risk of heart and vascular disease (e.g., thrombosis).
- A small increase in the risk of stroke. Smoking and having high blood pressure or high cholesterol increases this risk.
HRT is not recommended in women with a known or past history of breast cancer or other hormone-related cancers, thrombosis, liver disease or abnormal menstrual bleeding, or in women who have had a previous stroke.
Side effects of hormone therapy
It is common to have side effects in the first few months of taking HRT. Once you are on the right dose and your body has adjusted to the hormones, the side effects should go away. Side effects that may occur include:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Breakthrough bleeding
- Breast tenderness or soreness
What types of hormone therapy are there?
HRT is available in various forms such as tablets, ointments and suppositories, each offering different doses and combinations of hormones. HRT can contain different types of oestrogen and progesterone: bioidentical hormones and synthetic hormones.
The choice of dosage form and type of hormones depends on various factors, such as the nature of your symptoms. Most HRT treatments that are prescribed contain bioidentical oestrogen (oestradiol), which has exactly the same effect as natural oestradiol. They often also contain a bioidentical progesterone or a synthetic progestin (such as levonorgestrel or dydrogesterone). It is difficult to say what type of HRT will work best. Some women may respond better to bioidentical options, others to synthetic options or a combination of both.
Start your treatment with expert guidance
Like any medical treatment, hormone therapy has risks and side effects. Therefore, HRT should always be prescribed and monitored by a healthcare professional. You can start your HRT treatment with expert guidance from a SeeMe-nopause doctor.
How does it work? Select your preferred product based on your symptoms and various other options. Add the product to your shopping cart and complete the medical questionnaire. A doctor will review your order within 48 hours to ensure the treatment is the right option for you. The pharmacy will ship your order to your home within three working days.
What do we know about the risks and benefits of HRT?
Suffering from menopausal symptoms? Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may help. What do we know about HRT? What are the risks or health benefits?
FAQ
Who is SeeMe-nopause?
SeeMe-nopause was founded on the initiative of a group of women and is part of the eHealth Ventures Group, a leading organisation specialising in digital health solutions with platforms in 14 countries.
With a team of doctors and menopause specialists, we provide access to information and supplements. We will also offer medicinal products and therapies in the near future. Our goal is to give women the tools they need to not only survive but thrive through perimenopause and beyond. More about us.
How do I know if your information is reliable?
Our recommendations are based on scientific research and always reviewed by our independent Medical Advisory Board. This is how we help you navigate your journey through menopause safely and responsibly.
Sources
- Hendriks, N. (2019). The Menopause Taboo: How To Navigate Through Menopause Safely With Body Identical Hormones.
- Briden, L. (2021). Hormone Repair Manual: Every Woman’s Guide to Healthy Hormones After 40
- NHG-werkgroep. (2022). NHG-richtlijnen: de overgang. https://richtlijnen.nhg.org/standaarden/de-overgang.
- The North American Menopause Society. (2022). Hormone therapy position statement. https://menopause.org/wp-content/uploads/professional/nams-2022-hormone-therapy-position-statement.pdf.
- Harvard School of Public Health. (2023). Hormone therapy benefits may outweigh risks for many younger menopausal women. https://hsph.harvard.edu/news/hormonal-therapy-menopause/
- Mikkola TS, Savolainen-Peltonen H, Venetkoski M, Ylikorkala O. (2017). New evidence for cardiac benefit of postmenopausal hormone therapy. Climacteric. PMID: 28042727.
- Canonico M, Carcaillon L, Plu-Bureau G, Oger E, Singh-Manoux A, Tubert-Bitter P, Elbaz A, Scarabin PY. (2016). Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy and Risk of Stroke: Impact of the Route of Estrogen Administration and Type of Progestogen. PMID: 27256671.
- Lega IC, Fine A, Antoniades ML, Jacobson M. (2023). A pragmatic approach to the management of menopause. https://www.cmaj.ca/content/195/19/E677
- Zhang GQ, Chen JL, Luo Y, Mathur MB, Anagnostis P, Nurmatov U, Talibov M, Zhang J, Hawrylowicz CM, Lumsden MA, Critchley H, Sheikh A, Lundbäck B, Lässer C, Kankaanranta H, Lee SH, Nwaru BI. (2021). Menopausal hormone therapy and women's health: An umbrella review.PMID: 34339416.
- Bailey E, Seladi-Schulman J. Medical News Today. (2023). Menopause: New study lists the benefits of hormone replacement therapy. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/managing-menopause-hormone-therapy-is-back#Benefits-of-HRT-menopause-treatment
- “The 2022 Hormone Therapy Position Statement of The North American Menopause Society” Advisory Panel. (2022). The 2022 hormone therapy position statement of The North American Menopause Society. PMID: 35797481.
89059736001
02-11-2023
