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Hormone Alternatives for Menopause

According to the Mayo Clinic, hormone therapy (HT) is still used as a safe and effective short-term alternative for menopausal symptoms. However, certain risks exist if hormone therapy is used for long-term treatment.

  1. Symptoms

    • Bothersome symptoms of menopause vary from woman to woman, with hot flashes being the most common. Other symptoms include mood swings, frequent urination, vaginal dryness and night sweats.

    Hormone Therapy

    • Hormone therapy (HT) uses a combination of estrogen and progestin; HT is recommended for women who still have a uterus as progestin helps protect the uterus. This therapy is used for both hot flashes and vaginal discomfort.

    Estrogen Therapy

    • Women who no longer have a uterus can use estrogen alone; this type of therapy is known as 'estrogen therapy.' Estrogen therapy helps reduce hot flashes, vaginal dryness and protects bones from weakening.

    Vaginal Estrogen

    • Vaginal estrogen treatment releases a small amount of estrogen directly to vaginal tissue to relieve dryness. It comes in a cream, ring or tablet form.

    Warning

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, long-term use of HT can increase the risks of serious health conditions; these include heart disease, stroke and breast cancer.

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