What About Heart Disease
Hormone therapy might be right for you if youre younger than 60 or started menopause less than 10 years ago because it generally doesnt increase your heart disease risk at these times. In older women, hormone therapy can increase your risk of developing heart disease. Youre not a candidate for hormone therapy if youve had a heart attack or stroke in the past.
If youre still uncertain about whether hormone replacement therapy is for you, consult with Dr. Bruner. She can offer a comprehensive picture of the benefits hormone replacement provides and the risks involved.
When Should I Start Considering Hormones
You should talk to your doctor about hormone replacement therapy if you are experiencing menopause or have stopped menstruating. The average age of menopause is 51 years old but can start as much as 10 years earlier. Talking to your doctor is the best option for those who want to relieve symptoms such as mood swings, weight gain, and low energy levels.
If youve been experiencing menopause or have stopped menstruating, hormone replacement therapy is a treatment option that might be worth considering. With the right doctor and specialist to help with your decision-making process, HRT can provide relief from symptoms such as weight gain, decreased libido, low energy levels, mood swings, and more.
Hormone Replacement Therapy Is A Judgment Call It Raises Your Risk Of Breast Cancer But Can Make Menopause Bearable Take It Only As Long As You Must
Menopause the body changes that hit women as their reproductive system shuts down between the ages of 45 and 55 can be easy or hard. Most women have some symptoms, but they are severe in a smaller group.
Gynecologists generally say that for women who are suffering hormone replacement therapy may be worth the higher risk of breast cancer and possibly other dangers especially if they limit dosage and years of use.
If youre considering HRT, you need to weigh the pros and cons in your own circumstances.
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The Pros And Cons Of Hrt: Finding The Best Treatment For Your Symptoms
Hormone imbalances like low testosterone and hormonal changes like perimenopause and menopause can bring a host of physical and emotional symptoms that keep you from feeling your best. If youre struggling with hot flashes, mood swings, sleep problems, or low sex drive, you know how disruptive these symptoms can beand chances are that youre looking for relief.
Hormone replacement therapy is widely regarded as the best treatment for hormone imbalances and age-related hormone changes. By compensating for your bodys diminished hormone levels, HRT can restore balance and minimizeor eliminatehormone-related symptoms. But as with any medical treatment, its important to weigh the pros and cons of HRT to determine if its the right path for you. By learning more about HRT and connecting with a practitioner who specializes in hormone health, you can thoughtfully consider your options and choose a treatment plan that will help you achieve your health goals.
The Many Ways Estrogen Affects Your Skin
Does estrogen make your skin thinner? If so, why? Hormones have an impact on skin thickness as evidenced by the changes that occur during menstruation. When estrogen levels are lowest and thickens, the skin is thin and thin at the time of menstrual cycle. How does estrogen help with skin? estrogen replacement, which improves epidermal hydration, skin elasticity, and skin thickness, reduces skin wrinkles, and increases collagen content and quality, can be used to reverse these effects. Does estrogen keep your skin youthful? Furthermore, estrogen and collagen both decrease the amount of collagen and elastin in your skin. The hormone estrogen is responsible for making skin appear younger due to its ability to produce hyaluronic acid. Estrogen affects your body in a variety of ways, including your muscles, metabolism, and energy levels. What hormone tightens skin? When it is taken in excess, testosterone can cause skin irritation similar to estrogen. The higher the testosterone level, the firmer, tighter, and healthier the skin on womens bodies.
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How To Choose The Best Kind Of Hormone Therapy
There are many hormone therapy types to cure breast cancer such as
Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators
Even known as SERMs, these medications obstruct breast cancer cells from getting attached to estrogen. SERMs impede the effects of estrogen merely in breast tissue but not in other tissues within the body.
These drugs are traditionally only used in premenopausal women.
The commonly used SERMs consist
Tamoxifen
This medication stops estrogen from attaching to cells and thereby disables cancer from growing and dividing. People who have tamoxifen for a decade after breast cancer treatment are less supposed to see the cancer recurrence and more supposed to live longer in comparison to the ones who take the medicine for just 5 years.
Toremifene
This medication is approved only to cure breast cancer that has extended to other body parts and might not be useful in persons who have seen less success with tamoxifen.
Fulvestrant
This is an injected estrogen receptor-blocking medication that is usually used to cure advanced breast cancers. Different from other SERMs, it obstructs the effect of estrogen all through the total body.
Aromatase Inhibitors
AIs obstruct estrogen production from fat tissue, however, have no consequence on the estrogen made by the ovaries.
Common AIs consist
Ovarian Ablation or Suppression
Surgical ablation is carried on by the removal of ovaries. Without the manufacturing of estrogen from the ovaries, one will move into permanent menopause.
What Is Hormone Replacement Therapy For Women
Hormone replacement therapy for women helps to balance hormones in the body when they are not at their optimal levels. This therapy is relieving several symptoms in a patient who is experiencing hormone imbalance. Some of these symptoms may include gaining weight, low energy levels, and mood swings. HRT can be administered through different methods including pills, hormone pellets, lozenges, creams, patches, or by injection. It is important to remember that HRT may or may not cure several different conditions. Including obesity, low energy levels, and fatigue.
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What Are The Pros Of Bioidentical Hormone Therapy
For men and women with hormones that have seemingly gone off balance due to menopause or andropause, BHRT is an excellent option to help reduce the symptoms such as exhaustion, hot flashes, and sleep troubles. Not only does the treatment help with balancing your hormones, but it also helps with the prevention of osteoporosis and side effects from fibromyalgia. Due to BHRT being a natural solution, it has become a big hit to women and men between the ages of 35 and 45 looking to help with these particular conditions. Once the treatment starts, it is a very short time frame in which the patient starts to see improvements in their symptoms.
Just Because It Seems More Natural Become Better Informed
Given these significant differences in experiences, Dr. Jiang has serious doubts that women who opt for bioidentical custom compounds are not adequately informed about the lack of clinical evidence regarding the safety and effectiveness of these products. Nor are they sufficiently made aware that this form of hormone delivery is not subjected to the same level of regulation that is required to meet.
Pellet therapy and other compounded hormone products are regulated only be the rules governing vitamins and nutritional supplements, which means very little. They dont have to meet the same rigor as medications reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration , so theres no assurance that what is promised in the bottle is what youll get, or even that it will work as you expect. Rather, these hormonal products gain the attention of the FDA only after there is evidence of harm demonstrated in the people taking these unregulated products.
The study findings should raise red flags for any woman looking to have her doctor prescribe the compounded pelleted hormone therapy. And if you still decide to go this route, Dr. Jiang says: Women on pellet therapy need to be carefully monitored for their estrogen and testosterone levels.
You should understand that that are bioidentical and offer individualized options to women, he continues. There are FDA-approved hormone supplements available that are identical to human reproductive hormones, in a variety of dosages and delivery methods.
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Cons Of Et Skin Patches
While patches are considered to be slightly safer than some of the other forms of treatment, like the pill, its still too early to tell, says WebMD. The safest thing to do is to assume that they all carry similar risks of cancer and stroke, and that they might all cause some form of mild side effect like painful and swollen breasts, vaginal discharge, headache, and/or nausea. Theres also a potential risk that the patch could irritate the skin where it is applied, notes the source. In addition, women with increased lipids, using the patch is a better alternative.
WebMD also warns that patches cannot be exposed to extreme heat levels or direct sunlight, so forget wearing them in a bathing suit, a tanning bed, or a sauna!
Vaginal Rings Creams And Other Suppositories
Vaginal suppositories, rings, and creams are administered directly to the vaginal region. These are a very common treatment for women facing vaginal dryness, itching, pain, and burning. Vaginal rings need to be replaced once every quarter. Tablets, on the other hand, are to be used daily for 2 weeks, following which they should be used only twice a week.
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Weighing The Pros And Cons
- Based on current research findings, it’s not advisable to take hormones as a preventive measure or over a long period of time.
- If you have severe menopause-related problems, it’s a good idea to carefully weigh the pros and cons of hormone therapy together with your doctor.
- If you decide to use hormones, the treatment should be as short as possible, using the lowest dose possible.
Menopause And Hormone Replacement Therapy
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Who Shouldn’t Take Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy is not usually recommended if you:
- Have or had breast cancer or endometrial cancer.
- Have abnormal vaginal bleeding.
Less common side effects of hormone therapy include:
- Fluid retention.
- Skin discoloration .
- Increased breast density making mammogram interpretation more difficult.
- Skin irritation under estrogen patch.
What Are Some Common Signs Of Hormone Deficiency
If you have a hormone deficiency, there are a number of side effects you may experience. Most adults who experience a hormone deficiency are currently in the midst of andropause or menopause or have already gone through these aging processes. The physical symptoms of deficiency can include sleeping issues, chronic fatigue, bone density loss, skin dryness, hair thinning and loss, and unexplained weight gain.
In women, hormone deficiency can cause vaginal dryness, while men may experience erectile dysfunction. Sex drive typically decreases in both genders. In addition to physical symptoms, there are mental and emotional concerns associated with hormone imbalance.
Many patients report feeling more anxious, depressed, and prone to mood swings. They may also experience memory loss, forgetfulness, and a general feeling of confusion or brain fog, which can affect their daily responsibilities and interactions and make them feel discouraged as the aging process continues.
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What Is Known About Hormone Therapy And The Risk Of Heart Disease
Scientists continue to learn about the effects of HT on the heart and blood vessels. Many large clinical trials have attempted to answer questions about HT and heart disease. Some have shown positive effects in women who started HT within 10 years of menopause some have shown negative effects when started greater than 10 years of menopause. Some studies have raised more questions about the potential benefits of HT.
Based on the data, the American Heart Association issued a statement for use of HT. They say:
- Hormone therapy for the sole purpose of preventing heart disease is not recommended.
Am I An Ideal Candidate
If you are an adult man or woman who is concerned about the side effects of hormonal imbalance, you may be a good candidate for hormone therapy. An ideal candidate is generally healthy and is either currently experiencing andropause or menopause or has recently completed these stages. In addition, most patients are age 40 or older. You should have realistic, informed expectations about the results you can expect from treatment. You should also be free from any medical conditions which could interact negatively with hormone therapy.
In order to ensure optimal results, one of our doctors will review your health and medical history during an initial consultation to determine whether this treatment is right for you.
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Estrogen Side Effects And Risks
Hormone therapy is not without its risks. In fact, hormone therapy is not used as widely as it once was because research began revealing complications with long-term use, such as cancer and heart risks.
However, thanks to these studies, doctors and medical researchers have a better understanding of who will benefit most from estrogen therapy and who should try other treatments.
The risk factors and side effects associated with estrogen use include:
- Blood clots: Estrogen increases your risk of blood clots, which can cause stroke, heart attack, and even death.
- Cancer: Estrogen may increase your risk of certain cancers, specifically breast cancer. Talk with your doctor about your personal health history, your family history, and your risk of breast cancer.
- Birth defects: If youre using estrogen or hormone therapy and become pregnant, your pregnancy may end prematurely. If youre able to carry a pregnancy to full term, birth defects are common for babies born to women using estrogen.
- Dense breast tissue: Women who take estrogen may develop dense breast tissue. Dense tissue makes reading mammograms harder, so detecting breast cancer in its early stages may be difficult.
Who Is Hormone Pellet Therapy For
Although hormone pellet therapy is usually used by women to ease menopause symptoms, both genders can benefit from it. Research has shown that it can help relieve the symptoms of hormone imbalances in men, such as fatigue, sleep issues, weight gain, brain fog, low mood and libido, anxiety, and more.
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Pros Of Hormone Therapy
Some of the major benefits of taking hormone replacement pellet therapy include:
Provides relief from uncomfortable or painful symptoms Offers protection to bones by slowing down bone loss that would otherwise lead to osteoporosis Lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease Reduces the risk of contracting cancer of the colon Lowers the risk of macular degeneration and vision loss, which happens when the macula deteriorates with advanced age Decreases the risk of stroke and dementia
Its Not Suitable For Everyone
While BHRT can be an effective treatment for many women, its not suitable for everyone. If you have a history of cancer, heart disease, or stroke, you should not take BHRT. Additionally, BHRT is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. If you have any other health conditions, its important to speak with your doctor before starting BHRT. While BHRT may not be right for everyone, it can be a helpful treatment for many women who are experiencing symptoms of hormone imbalance. If youre considering BHRT, speak with your doctor to see if its right for you.
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Traditional Vs Bioidentical Hormones
There is one big difference between conventional hormone replacement therapy and BHRT. Bioidentical hormones are chemically identical to the ones you produce naturally. Traditional hormone replacement therapy uses synthetic hormones like urine from pregnant horses.
It is arguably the safest and most effective because its immediately recognized by your body. However, many experts still believe HRT and BHRT effectiveness, risks, and benefits are similar.
Does Estrogen Help Sagging Skin
Skin aging is accelerated by a variety of external factors, including a decline in natural hormones, inadequate nourishment, tobacco smoke, and UV radiation. With extraordinary measures taken to preserve youth radiance, the population is revolting against unsightly skin aging. This article introduces a new generation of younger women that are available to the general public for the first time. Estrogen, in addition to slowing the rate of skin aging, increases the synthesis of collagen, which serves as the skins natural skin support structure. Aging is caused by collagen loss, which is thought to be related to estrogen deficiency at menopause. Skin aging can be prevented by applying topical estrogens, which have been shown to be safe and effective. Although estrogen is a weak estrogen when administered orally, it can provide potent anti-aging effects when administered as a topical treatment.
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