Revitalize Your Life With Hormone Replacement Therapy for Women

As women age, hormonal changes can significantly impact their quality of life. From hot flashes to a decreased libido, the changes can disrupt daily routine-- enter hormone replacement for women. Hormone replacement therapy offers women everywhere a solution to restore their hormonal imbalance through various methods.

Understanding hormonal changes in women

Women produce estrogen, progesterone, and even testosterone. These hormones regulate menstruation, fertility, bone density, metabolism, and mood stability. However, as women approach perimenopause and menopause, the levels of each hormone start to decline. This decline results in a range of symptoms that can significantly impact the body, including:

• Bone loss. Estrogen is a key player in bone strength; when decreased, women are at an increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
• Decreased libido. Reduced sexual satisfaction or interest can result from fluctuating hormone levels.
• Fatigue and energy loss. Lack of motivation, energy, chronic fatigue, and a struggle to stay focused are common for many women.
• Hot flashes. Sudden surges of feeling hot or sweating can occur throughout the day and night, with seemingly no relief.
• Mood swings. Considering all three hormones contribute to moods when they fluctuate, women can experience irritability, anxiety, and even depression.
• Sleep disturbances. During the fluctuation of hormones, it can be difficult to fall or stay asleep as energy levels will also go up and down.
• Vaginal dryness. This form of dryness can lead to pain or discomfort during intercourse, though it is not a result of a lack of desire during menopause.
• Weight gain. Estrogen contributes to weight fluctuations; therefore, if its levels are unstable, so is a woman's weight.

What is hormone replacement therapy?

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a medical treatment that uses synthetic or bioidentical hormones to restore hormonal balance in women experiencing menopause or other conditions that cause hormonal imbalances. Hormone replacement for women seeks to interrupt the above symptoms. While there are various forms of HRT, they are divided into two subgroups: estrogen-only therapy and combined estrogen and progestin therapy.

The doctor will recommend estrogen-only therapy to women who have had a surgical procedure that removes their uterus, known as a hysterectomy. This is because if only their uterus is removed, they do not require progesterone replacement. Estrogen can be administered as pills, patches, gels, creams, sprays, or rings that can be inserted into the vagina.

Combined estrogen and progestin therapy is for women whose uterus is still intact. As the name suggests, estrogen is combined with progestin to protect the uterus from the potential risks of estrogen alone. Similar to estrogen-only therapy, combined therapy can be administered through various methods, including pills, patches, gels, creams, and insert rings.

Potential risks associated with HRT

While there are many benefits associated with hormone replacement for women, there are potential risks to consider. Here are a few, though keep in mind some side effects are more rare than others:

• Bloating
• Blood clots
• Breast tenderness
• Cardiovascular disease
• Certain forms of cancer
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Stroke

Some of these risks can be a result of a patient's age, medical history, and HRT type. If women are around 60 years of age or begin HRT within 10 years of the onset of menopause, they are less likely to have any of the symptoms prolonged. Additionally, if a patient has a history of or is predisposed to any of the above diseases, the medical spa may reconsider HRT, considering the adjustment of hormones can have an impact. Moreover, risks vary depending on the HRT method, whether or not it is estrogen or combined estrogen and progesterone. The doctor will explain the risks associated with the recommended type and how it may react to the patient's body specifically.

To mitigate these risks, the medical spa practitioners will advise an appropriate care plan for each case, but there is a general baseline for patients to follow. This can include monitoring ongoing evaluations (follow-up appointments), minimizing the amount of medication one takes, and committing to living an overall healthier lifestyle. A healthier lifestyle can be as simple as limiting alcohol intake, quitting smoke, and maintaining a balanced diet.

Begin revitalizing your life with an evaluation today

Hormone replacement for women can help take a step toward reclaiming their vitality and improving their overall health. However, know that deciding to undergo HRT should not be taken lightly, but under the direct care of specialized professionals. This is where we come in. If you are interested in discovering your options for living an internally balanced life, contact us today to schedule an evaluation.

Request an appointment here: https://floridacosmeticcenter.com or call Florida Cosmetic Center at (321) 415-9826 for an appointment in our Celebration office.

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