Many factors can affect the effectiveness of hormone therapy, from changes in health and lifestyle to human errors and bad habits. When you first start hormone replacement therapy, you may notice a noticeable improvement at first, but then not as much as you expected, or some symptoms may come back. This may be because your own hormone levels are decreasing over time, so you may need more to replace the amount of hormones that are missing in your body. It is recommended that women stop smoking if they are using hormonal hormone therapy, as it may increase the risk of health problems.
Smoking can also interfere with the effectiveness of oral hormone replacement therapy. Smoking, estradiol metabolism and hormone replacement therapy. The main drug treatment for menopausal and perimenopausal symptoms is hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which replaces hormones that are at low levels. MBBS RCGP (201) DRCOG DFSRH, general practitioner and a specialist in menopause. In menopause, ovulation stops permanently and estrogen levels decrease, which can lead to mood changes and other annoying symptoms.
Other symptoms include hot flashes and night sweats, known as vasomotor symptoms or VMS, as well as insomnia, vaginal dryness and heart palpitations. A change in the dose of hormone therapy may not always be the most effective treatment approach if other factors are involved, such as underlying health problems or changes in medication. So, if you're feeling tearful, tired, or a little sad, this isn't necessarily a sign that hormone therapy isn't working, but simply that your body is acclimating. In most cases, it is recommended to follow the prescribed HRT treatment plan for at least three months.
We can help you determine your dosage, discuss different types of hormone therapy, and organize the necessary private blood tests to ensure that your treatment is the right one for you. In some cases, it can be difficult to know if hormone therapy is effective in controlling menopausal symptoms, as it alone causes similar unwanted side effects. If you're having trouble with the side effects of hormone replacement therapy, it may be tempting to stop taking it suddenly, but this isn't usually recommended and may cause menopausal symptoms to return. Depending on the patient's symptoms or the side effects of medications, the doctor may recommend switching between systemic and localized HRT.
They are usually short-lived and go away on their own as the body gets used to the medication, but some side effects of HRT may be persistent. If you find it difficult to control the side effects of HRT or feel that it isn't helping you alleviate menopausal symptoms, it's a good idea to thoroughly review your HRT treatment plan with a healthcare professional. In addition to these side effects, some women also notice changes in their mood and emotions, especially in the first few weeks of starting hormone therapy. Unfortunately, for a small number of women, HRT doesn't resolve their symptoms, even when blood tests show optimal estrogen levels.
If hormone therapy alone isn't enough or if you're having problems with specific symptoms or side effects, additional or alternative medications for menopausal symptoms may help. Other factors, such as poor diet, alcohol and caffeine, and lack of exercise can aggravate menopausal symptoms, which could mask the impact that hormone therapy is having. If you're being treated for menopausal or perimenopausal symptoms, you'll need to go back to the doctor or nurse who prescribed hormone replacement therapy for a follow-up review after 3 months. In these cases, it may be recommended to switch to a transdermal form of TRH that is absorbed through the skin.
