We all know that menopause is a natural part of life, but that doesn’t make navigating the symptoms any less difficult. Hot flashes, sleep issues, mood changes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness can all take a toll on your everyday life.
If you’re tired of disruptive perimenopause or menopause symptoms, discuss hormone replacement therapy (HRT) with your doctor. In the helpful guide below, you’ll learn what HRT is and when it’s time to explore it for yourself.
What is Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Hormone replacement therapy is a treatment that replaces the hormones in your body that you produce less of due to menopause or a hormonal condition, such as estrogen. The type of HRT that’s right for you depends on:
- The symptoms you’ve been experiencing
- If you’ve had a hysterectomy
- If you have a uterus
There are multiple different forms of HRT to suit different symptoms, health histories, preferences, and health needs, including:
- Pills
- Gels
- Injections
- Patches
In most cases, estrogen-alone HRT is provided to women who’ve had a hysterectomy and don’t have a uterus. Estrogen with progestin is typically recommended for women with a uterus, as the progestin helps protect the uterine lining from the estrogen.
If you’re exploring HRT because you’re experiencing vaginal dryness and discomfort, your doctor may recommend a low dose of local vaginal estrogen applied directly to the vaginal tissue.
Why Does Menopause Cause Such Uncomfortable Symptoms?
The symptoms associated with menopause can be so uncomfortable that it’s not long before people are searching ‘hormone replacement therapy near me’ and visiting their closest clinic for HRT. But why?
During menopause, your ovaries are slowly reducing their production of estrogen and progesterone. The changes and plummeting levels begin to affect the parts of the body that need them, such as the brain regions that regulate your body temperature, sleep, and mood.
Brain and temperature control: Your brain’s thermostat can become confused when estrogen levels begin to decline, resulting in sudden hot flashes and night sweats.
Mood and sleep: Estrogen is a powerful regulator in the brain. When estrogen levels start to fluctuate, they alter your key neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine, which are responsible for emotional balance, stress, and sleep. As a result, many people experience anxiety, mood swings, and sleeplessness.
Skin and tissue problems: Lower estrogen can be associated with thinner, drier, and less stretchy skin and tissues in the vagina.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Just because experiencing discomfort and a range of symptoms is common during perimenopause and menopause doesn’t mean you should put up with them. Talk to a qualified healthcare professional if your symptoms are starting to affect your quality of life.
Hot flashes are affecting your daily life
Out of all uncomfortable symptoms associated with menopause, hot flashes are among the most recognizable. If sudden feelings of being flushed, hot, and sweaty are affecting your sleep, social activities, and work, don’t hesitate to discuss treatment options with a healthcare professional. HRT in the form of systemic estrogen therapy may be an effective treatment option for you.
You’re navigating persistent fatigue and low energy
As you enter perimenopause, or menopause is now in full swing, it can sometimes feel as though your energy levels have plummeted. It doesn’t matter how you spend your days; you can feel flat and continuously fatigued. While such symptoms can have multiple causes, a doctor can help determine whether menopause is to blame and discuss the most appropriate treatment options.
You’re having mood swings or feelings of depression and anxiety
Many women stop feeling like themselves once menopause begins. They notice mood swings and can even feel sad, anxious, or depressed for seemingly no reason. Given the potential for these symptoms to worsen, seeking professional help is crucial. A doctor can determine whether menopause is the cause and suggest HRT as a treatment where appropriate.
You’re experiencing vaginal dryness or discomfort
One of the lesser discussed symptoms associated with menopause is vaginal skin dryness and irritation. As estrogen levels drop, vaginal tissues become thinner and drier.
If you’ve noticed that sex is uncomfortable or the skin has become irritated, talk to a healthcare professional. When the primary discomfort relates to dryness, localized vaginal estrogen applied directly to the tissue can be a valid treatment option.
You’re worried about your bone health
Estrogen contributes to our bone health. As those levels drop, the body starts to break down bone faster than it can rebuild it – an approximate 10-20% loss for many people in the first few years of menopause. This fast bone density loss increases the risk of osteoporosis.
Receiving systemic estrogen therapy as a form of HRT may be an option for reducing your menopausal symptoms and helping prevent bone loss. Your doctor can also discuss other helpful ways to take care of your bone health, such as:
- Getting adequate calcium
- Boosting your vitamin D intake
- Eating enough protein
- Performing weight-bearing exercises like walking, jogging, dancing, or climbing stairs
- Doing resistance training, such as resistance bands or lifting weights
- Not smoking
- Limiting alcohol
- Performing bone density scans
What Happens During Hormone Replacement Therapy?
If you’ve decided to explore HRT to alleviate your discomfort as you journey through menopause or your hormonal condition, you can expect the following:
- An appointment with a trusted healthcare professional to discuss your medical history and symptoms.
- Administering hormones to alleviate the symptoms associated with hormone imbalances. Therapy options can include estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone for men, administered via pills, patches, gels, or injections.
- Personalized and monitored care to ensure correct dosages and minimize side effects.
- Improvements within a few weeks to months.
- Regular follow-up appointments to assess efficacy and adjust treatment where necessary.
Hormone Replacement Therapy Near Me: Eclipse Clinic in Waxahachie, TX
When your hormonal changes are beginning to affect your enjoyment of everyday life, it’s time to do something about it. Hormone replacement therapy provides meaningful relief for many people experiencing menopause and other hormonal conditions.
Ready to learn more? Contact Eclipse Clinic in Waxahachie, Texas. Our experienced team is here to help you understand your situation and provide solutions that could help you live life to the fullest once more. Schedule your consultation today.