Hormones like estrogen and progesterone are vital to a woman’s body. These hormones are essential for reproduction and the menstrual cycle, and they also play a role in bone health, brain function, mood, sleep, and more. As women age, their bodies produce less of these hormones and stop menstruating. This new stage of life, called menopause, can cause a number of unpleasant symptoms. Hormone replacement therapy can address these symptoms for better quality of life. Here’s what you need to know about hormone replacement therapy for women:
What Is Hormone Replacement Therapy for Women?
Hormone replacement therapy, often referred to as HRT, is the most effective treatment for relieving symptoms of menopause and hormone imbalance in women. As the name suggests, this therapy is intended to replace some of the hormones that have decreased in the body, whether due to menopause, hysterectomy, PCOS, or other hormone issues. HRT can restore the balance of estrogen and progesterone to alleviate uncomfortable and disruptive symptoms. A compounding pharmacy can work with your healthcare provider to formulate the right combination of hormones that your body needs.
Signs of Hormone Imbalance in Women
The goal of hormone replacement therapy for women is to improve quality of life that has been disrupted by symptoms of hormone imbalance such as that caused by menopause. Symptoms can range from mild to extremely disruptive depending on the individual. Some of the common signs and symptoms of menopause and hormone imbalance in women include:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Insomnia
- Low energy
- Bone loss
- Vaginal dryness
- Memory problems
- Muscle, joint, or body aches
- Mood swings
- Discomfort during sexual activity
- Getting upset more easily
- Feeling out of control or unproductive
Benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormone replacement therapy for women can help alleviate the symptoms of hormone imbalance and menopause. It can help improve sleep, sexual activity, and quality of life. According to recent studies, HRT may even reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, bone loss, and cognitive decline. If you start HRT before you reach menopause, your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease is reduced by half. Other benefits may include a lower risk of colon cancer, improved mental well-being, decreased tooth loss, reduced joint pain, and even a lower death rate.
Is Hormone Replacement Therapy for Women Safe?
Hormone replacement therapy is considered safe for most women. Like all medications, HRT does come with a list of possible side effects and risks. The most common side effects include PMS-like symptoms such as headaches, breast tenderness, mood swings, and stomach aches. Your medical history could put you at a risk of developing more serious complications, such as blood clots, breast cancer, liver disease, pulmonary embolism, or deep vein thrombosis. Some of these risks can be mitigated by using certain forms of HRT. Your healthcare provider should thoroughly examine your medical history to determine if the benefits of HRT outweigh any potential risks and to decide which option is best for you.
Hormone Replacement Therapy at Midtown Express Pharmacy
Here at Midtown Express Pharmacy, our compounding pharmacists can create customized hormone formulations to meet your body’s unique needs. We can tailor hormone replacement therapy for women in the form of oral capsules, topical creams, and vaginal creams so you can find relief from uncomfortable symptoms and enjoy life to the fullest. If you’re interested in learning more about how you could benefit from HRT and how to get started, please reach out to us today!
