As amedical professional, you've seen the difference that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has had on the lives of your patients. Here, we'll explore some of the key benefits of HRT to help you explain to your patients how they can start feeling like themselves again.
During menopause, changing hormones can cause a number of unpleasant symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood swings, and more.HRT can offer significant, lasting, life-changing relief to women who are experiencing distressing symptoms of menopause that interfere with their day-to-day lives.
AtTrocar Supplies, our HRT systems help you deliver essentialhormonal therapy to your patients, offsetting their menopause symptoms and allowing them to thrive.
Explaining the research-proven benefits of hormone therapy to your patients can help them feel more comfortable about starting HRT. Many women find that HRT can help them return to their normal activities that became difficult due to menopause symptoms.
Research-backed benefits of hormone replacement therapy include:
Relief from vaginal dryness, leading to more comfortable sex
Relief from hot flashes and night sweats
Increased estrogen levels, which can decrease the risk of conditions like osteoporosis
Decreased risk of bone fractures
Decreased risk of diabetes
Fewer mood swings
Improved sleep
While there are some risks associated with taking any medication, most women find thatHRT is well-tolerated. Risks associated with HRT can include an increased risk of uterine cancer, heart disease, blood clots, stroke, gallbladder disease, and breast cancer. Research shows that the likelihood of developing these conditions in relation to HRT treatment is lower for women who startHRT before age 60 or within 10 years of menopause, live a healthy lifestyle, and work with their providers to find the type of HRT that makes the most sense for their needs.
The amount of time that it takes to see a change after starting hormone replacement therapy is different from one person to another. Many women find that they begin tonotice a difference a few weeks after beginning their therapy, with the full results showing within three months.
The effects of HRT begin to show up gradually and may continue to increase over time. Women who do not notice a positive change after four to six months should reach out to their healthcare professional to troubleshoot and discuss whether they should try a different type of HRT.
A 2022 study showed that women who experienced menopause and used HRT had a lower risk of heart disease and/or death due to a cardiac event. While using HRT can help boost your heart health, it's important to continue with any other medications and/or lifestyle changes your doctor has suggested to support your cardiovascular wellness.
Osteoporosis, a disease that causes the bones to thin, affects one out of every three women. Hormone replacement therapy has been shown to lower the risk ofspine and hip fractures, as it adds estrogen to the body, which can strengthen the bones.
While the jury is still out on whether HRT directly affects cognition, many women find that they feel more clear-headed. Some women also find that their memory improves and. that they experience lower levels of brain fog. While this may be related to the hormonal changes associated with HRT, it may also be related to the improved sleep that often comes after years of menopause symptoms that make it hard to get high-quality rest.
Simply put, many women feel better after they begin usinghormone replacement therapy. HRT can help women manage low mood and mood swings associated with hormonal changes during menopause. Starting hormone therapy can also help to improve sleep, boost energy levels, and help to temper night sweats, which can make it easier to get a good night's sleep.
Many women who are experiencing symptoms associated with menopause can benefit from beginning hormone replacement therapy. Since there are some risks associated with HRT, it's important that each woman carefully weighs the risks and benefits of the treatment with her doctor before getting started. In many cases, it's also important for women to have regular follow-up visits to ensure that their hormones are responding well to treatment.
HRT can be a good fit for women who:
Experience early menopause: Women who stopped menstruating for at least 12 months prior to the age of 45, those who have had their ovaries removed surgically, and those who lost ovarian function before age 40 may benefit from hormone replacement therapy.
Experience hot flashes: If you're experiencing moderate to severe hot flashes, HRT may be able to alleviate your symptoms, improving your day-to-day functioning as well as your sleep.
Show menopause symptoms that negatively affect their quality of life: Women who experience vaginal symptoms, including itching, burning, and pain during sex, may benefit from HRT.
Are at high risk for fractures: The estrogen in HRT can help protect the bones from osteoporosis. If you're at high risk for fractures, your doctor may recommend HRT as a line of defense in keeping your bones strong.
To get started withhormone replacement therapy, patients need to reach out to their doctor to talk about the changes they're experiencing due to perimenopause or menopause. It's important to go over risk factors, discuss any lifestyle changes that need to be made to safely make HRT a part of a health routine, and talk about side effects that may occur once hormone replacement therapy begins. Patients should be encouraged to have regular follow-up appointments with their doctor to ensure that they're continuing to see their desired results.
If you're ready to start offering your patients reliable, safe HRT, reach out to Trocar Supplies today!
