If you’re like most women, you’re likely dreading the onset of menopause. Not only does it cause uncomfortable symptoms, it can last for several years before it finally ends. But don’t lose hope just yet — hormone replacement therapy is a treatment that reduces your symptoms so you can feel like yourself again.
At Collaborative Women’s Care, located in Miami, Florida, our team offers comprehensive care when it comes to your gynecologic and obstetric needs. Dr. Eduardo Valdes is our expert OBGYN, who’s happy to offer hormone replacement therapy (HRT) when your menopause symptoms get to be too much.
Menopause marks the end of a woman’s child-bearing years. It occurs when your body slows production of both estrogen and progesterone, both of which are needed to conceive and carry a child. You’re not considered menopausal until you’ve gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual cycle.
Perimenopause is the time leading up to menopause. This can start anywhere from your mid-to-late forties into your early-to-mid fifties. Every woman is different, but perimenopause can last several years.
During this time, your body goes through a significant amount of change regarding your menstrual cycle. You may bleed heavier than normal, or go months without a period, only to get it again.
Unfortunatly, menopause comes with a number of uncomfortable symptoms. Everyone’s symptoms vary, from mild to severe and intermittent to almost constant. You may experience one or two of the symptoms, or seem to have them all at once.
The symptoms of menopause occur due to the big change in reproductive hormones. This can lead to issues such as:
Painful intercourse is another common symptom during menopause, which can take a toll on your sex life. Although these symptoms may eventually subside, you shouldn’t have to live day in and day out with the discomfort of menopause.
HRT is a treatment often used for menopause symptoms. During menopause, your estrogen and progesterone go on a roller coaster ride, with levels that are all over the place. This is what leads to your uncomfortable symptoms. There are several types of hormone therapy, which include:
Estrogen therapy alone is usually recommended if you’ve undergone a hysterectomy, or removal of your uterus. Typically, the dose is very low, and comes in several forms, including:
Estrogen therapy isn’t recommended if you still have your uterus, because it increases the chances of certain types of uterine cancers. For this reason, estrogen is paired with progestin if you still have your uterus.
Dr. Valdes and his team often prescribe combination therapy. This treatment combines both low-dose estrogen and progestin together to reduce your symptoms of menopause. This is safer for long-term use than estrogen therapy alone. Types of combination therapy include:
Dr. Valdes takes many things into account when prescribing hormone replacement therapy, including your overall health, how long you’ve had your symptoms, and the severity of your symptoms.
For many women, the symptoms of menopause go away after some time. But if you aren’t one of the lucky ones, HRT can help. Dr. Valdes discusses your symptoms and your hormone replacement options at your appointment.
HRT is also a good choice if you’re in menopause and at a high risk for osteoporosis. Estrogen helps to prevent bone loss associated with osteoporosis. HRT has also been shown to decrease your risk of cardiovascular disease.
If your menopausal symptoms are causing mood swings and depression, HRT can also help. When your hormones are more balanced, the rest of your body follows suit, and your mood should even out.
If you’re dealing with uncomfortable menopausal symptoms, don’t hesitate to call our office in Miami, Florida today at 305-200-3878. You can also schedule a consultation using our convenient online booking tool.
