It can take up to 3 months for menopausal symptoms to go away when you start hormone therapy, although they usually get better faster than this. Some changes may be subtle, and you may not realize that your symptoms are going away until you look back in time.
Estrogen-only therapy often causes
symptoms such as headache, breast tenderness, and nausea. However, it is usually the progesterone that is part of combined hormone replacement therapy that has side effects; some types of progesterone can cause low mood, irritability, acne, fatigue or headaches.Other people may find that HRT actually makes them feel more tired. This may be a temporary side effect or it may last longer. Fatigue is the general tiredness and lack of energy that can occur with hormone therapy. It makes a person feel more tired than usual and can interfere with daily activities and sleep.
It usually gets worse when you are receiving other treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Fatigue may improve over time, but it can sometimes last a long time after hormone treatment. You may feel more tired when you are taking hormone therapy. For women struggling with persistent fatigue and other disturbing menopausal symptoms, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can provide much needed relief.
Hormone replacement therapy involves supplementing the body with hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, which decrease during menopause. Hormone replacement therapy treats fatigue, hot flashes, mood changes, and sleep disorders by restoring hormone levels to a more balanced state. If side effects are severe or don't resolve, schedule another visit with your doctor, as changing the type or dose of hormone therapy may help. However, most side effects improve over time, so it is recommended to continue hormone therapy for at least three months so that everything stabilizes.
Drugs such as modafinil, rifampicin and bosentan are expected to decrease the effects of HRT, as is the popular supplement, St. John's Wort. For example, estrogens used in hormone replacement therapy are the most active form of estrogen and, in excess, may overstimulate the body and cause energy loss, while insufficient levels of hormones may not adequately treat menopausal fatigue. If hormone therapy alone isn't enough or if you have specific symptoms or side effects, additional or alternative medications for menopausal symptoms may help.
For example, some hormone replacement treatments can interfere with medications for epilepsy and make the condition less controlled. If side effects don't go away within 3 months or cause you a lot of discomfort, you may need to reconsider your HRT. To help with side effects, a GP might suggest changing the dosage, the type of hormone therapy you're taking, or the way you're taking it. If you take combination hormone replacement therapy on an ongoing basis, it's common to have irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting in the first 4 to 6 months of taking it.
Combined hormone replacement therapy (estrogen and progesterone) is associated with a higher incidence of breast cancer, although it is very rare. As a result of menopausal symptoms, such as night sweats, hot flashes, skin changes and joint stiffness, many women decide to start hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to ease discomfort and improve their overall well-being. Hormone replacement therapy comes in several forms, such as pills, patches, creams, or injections, allowing women to choose the method that best suits their preferences and medical needs. In most cases, it is recommended to follow the prescribed HRT treatment plan for at least three months.
You may gain some weight during menopause and as you age, but this usually happens regardless of whether you take HRT or No.
