What Is the Best Hormone Replacement Therapy for Alpha Thalassemia & Menopause?

Alpha Thalassemias is a medical condition in which a person is missing two or more genes that create protein chains--without the genes, one will not create enough proteins in the body. Blood transfusions, not hormone therapy replacements, are the most common treatment for alpha thalassemias.

Menopause is the condition when a woman--often gradually--stops her period, as her body produces less hormones and eventually stops producing eggs. This often occurs during middle age and after menopause, and a woman can no longer become pregnant.

Alpha Thalassemia

• As described, alpha thalassemia is a hereditary condition, caused when the body does not have the genes to produce a proper amount of protein. Sufferers of alpha thalassemias may display a variety of symptoms, from none at all to anemia or osteoporosis. After severe alpha thalassemias has been diagnosed in a patient, there are a variety of routes to take for treatment.

Menopause

• Menopause, as described above, is the period in a woman's life when she stops producing eggs and is therefore unable to become pregnant; this often occurs during middle age. During this physical transition, a woman produces less estrogen and her period stops. Symptoms can include more pronounced heartbeat, hot flashes and sweats, reduced sex drive, mood swings and irregular sleep patterns. Because of this, women may want to consider hormone replacement therapy in order to replace some of the estrogen they are losing during this crucial time for their health and well-being.

Hormone Replacement

• Hormone replacement therapies are not generally prescribed to patients with alpha thalassemias. Instead, these patients should consider blood transfusions and folic acid supplements--both these treatments will help to produce the red blood cells the body needs and combat the symptoms of severe thalassemias.

  However, estrogen hormone replacement therapies are often recommended for women who are dealing with difficult menopause symptoms. One's doctor must make the decision as to whether this is the best medical route to take, while estrogen replacement can reduce uncomfortable menopause symptoms, it can also lead to increased risks of breast cancer, strokes and blood clots. Lower doses of estrogen are often considered best, along with regular mammograms and Pap smears to monitor any health risks.

Considerations

• There are alternative treatments for severe menopause symptoms, aside from estrogen replacement therapy. These include antidepressants, meditation and other relaxation techniques, exercise and avoidance of mood-altering foods and drinks such as alcohol and caffeine. Some feel that these alternatives are preferable, as they may do not increase risk of life-threatening diseases such as cancer and heart disease.

Warnings

• Reduced estrogen levels that result from menopause can lead to serious health concerns such as bone loss/osteoporosis and heart disease or increased cholesterol levels. However, there are also risks associated with increased estrogen levels in the body brought on by estrogen replacement therapy such as blood clots and breast cancer.