|  | Family Health | Womens Health

Hormone Treatment Therapy

Hormone treatment therapy, also called hormone replacement therapy, is a way of replacing hormones no longer being produced in a woman's body. Normally the loss of hormones occur during menopause, although some women may need hormone replacement after a hysterectomy.

  1. Hormones

    • Your ovaries produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone. When you enter menopause, ovaries reduce production, resulting in an end to your periods and fertility. The decrease in hormone production may also result in mood changes, hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Estrogen and progestin are typically prescribed together because estrogen alone may increase the risk of uterine cancer. Women who have had a hysterectomy can take estrogen without progestin.

    Benefits

    • Hormone therapy is effective in relieving hot flashes, painful intercourse and vaginal burning and itching related to menopause. Hormone therapy may help reduce bone loss due to osteoporosis and decrease the risk of colorectal cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic.

    Risks

    • The Women's Health Initiative conducted a study of 10,000 women taking a combination estrogen-progestin hormone replacement and concluded in 2002 that menopausal women taking the hormones were at an increased risk for heart disease, stroke, blood clots and breast cancer.

    Who Can Take Hormones

    • The risks associated with hormone therapy is still low. Each woman should discuss her medical history with her doctor to determine if short-term hormone treatment will be to her benefit. Women who suffer severe hot flashes, vaginal pain and mood swings may find relief in hormonal treatment.

    Who Should Not Take Hormonal Treatment

    • Women who have had breast cancer, blood clots or heart disease should not take hormonal replacement therapy for menopausal symptoms. Your doctor may prescribe anti-depressants for erratic mood swings and hot flashes. He may also suggest lubricants for vaginal dryness.

    How To Take Hormones

    • Once the decision has been made by you and your doctor to proceed with hormonal treatment, you will be given a choice of ways to take them. Hormones may be given in pill, gel or patch form. A slow-releasing hormonal suppository may be inserted into your vagina or an estrogen cream may be provided to apply to vaginal tissues. The lowest dose available is normally prescribed and should only be taken as long as symptoms are severe. Discuss with your doctor what hormonal treatment plan is best for you.

Womens Health - Related Articles