Benefits of Hormone Replacement, relief from menopausal symptoms

Hormone replacement is therapeutic and useful for a wide assortment of menopausal symptoms. For example, in menopausal women, it helps regulate the flow of estrogen and in the process decreases the occurrence of hot flashes and night sweats. There are many other benefits of hormone replacement as well. However, there is a significant body of evidence that suggests hormone replacement therapy can be risky and shouldn’t be used long term (Woman’s Health Initiative). The benefits of hormone replacement include protection from bone loss, colorectal cancer, and from heart disease.

Prolonged use of hormones may increase the risk of heart disease. In addition, hormone replacement may make sexual relationships better and more satisfying for menopausal women because it combats vaginal dryness and discomfort frequently experienced by menopausal women. As hormones produced in the ovaries decline after menopause, changes in the vagina as a result can make intercourse uncomfortable. Estrogen provides benefits of hormone replacement by keeping the vagina more elastic and reduces thinning and drying of the tissue.There are changes in the urinary track as well as a result of the loss of naturally occurring hormones. As a result of those changes many women experience problems of leakage and sometimes incontinence. The benefits of hormone replacement in this case are that the urinary tract is kept subtle and women have fewer problems as a result. While there is some important ways that hormone replacement therapy eases menopause, women who are considering it should be mindful of the risks. During the landmark 2002 study by the Woman’s Health Initiative it was discovered that women on hormone replacement therapy were more likely to exhibit blood clots, stroke, heart disease and breast cancer. There are some alternative treatments that provide a measure of relief for menopausal symptoms such as the use of biological identical hormones, natural phytoestrogens such as soy, and herbal formulas when the benefits of hormone replacement are desired without the risks.

Comments are closed.