You can take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) if you have menopausal symptoms, including during perimenopause and after your periods stop (postmenopause). Menopause is a natural and biological transition in a woman's life that marks the end of her childbearing age. In the United States, the average age of onset is 51, although it can occur in women's 40s. While some women have no symptoms when entering menopause, others may experience problems such as hot flashes and night sweats.
Often, they can be alleviated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Hormone levels can affect the body's internal “temperature control”. As a result, blood vessels can expand and create a heat wave that causes sweating and skin redness. Night sweats are also common in women during perimenopause or in the years leading up to menopause.
Everyone experiences mood changes from time to time, but during menopause, hormonal changes can cause them to occur more often. The intensity of mood changes can make it difficult to carry out daily activities. When estrogen is lost during menopause, women may experience thinning of their hair. Of course, hair loss can be due to other causes, such as genetics, age, diseases and nutritional deficiencies.
Carlo shares the most common signs that hormone replacement therapy might be right for you and what you should know before starting treatment. There is very little evidence about the initiation of hormone therapy in older women, since this research has not been carried out. However, most women who are otherwise physically fit continue to benefit from hormone therapy, even if it's been more than 10 years since menopause. If you've stopped menstruating, are in menopause and don't have any worrisome symptoms, the risks of taking hormones generally outweigh any health benefits.
If you have symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, trouble sleeping, vaginal dryness, pain when having sex, or lack of desire, you may be a candidate for receiving hormones.
