Use Caution With Soy And Other Phytoestrogens
Theres a tentative link between menopause symptoms and a high consumption of soy and other plant estrogens. But the research on this
Exercise can stabilize your blood sugar levels, give you more energy, and boost your mood.
And if you exercise regularly, the benefits increase.
For example, regular exercise can help reduce your risk of osteoporosis and improve your sleep quality in the long term. It aid in weight management. That may reduce hot flashes.
For maximum benefit, your exercise routine should include each of these four types of exercise:
Taking Estrogen With A Progestin Vs Estrogen Alone
Treating menopausal symptoms with estrogen and progestin together is known as estrogen-progestin therapy or combined hormone therapy. Although estrogen alone improves the symptoms of menopause, it increases the risk of cancer of the uterus . Adding a progestin to the estrogen lowers the risk of endometrial cancer back to normal. Because of this, EPT is given to women who still have a uterus . EPT can be given 2 ways:
- Continuous EPT means the same dose of estrogen and progestin is taken each day. Women often prefer continuous EPT because it rarely leads to menstrual-like bleeding.
- Sequential EPT means different amounts of each hormone are taken on specific days. There are different ways to do this. For example, estrogen can be taken by itself for 14 days, then estrogen plus progestin for 11 days, then neither hormone for 3 to 5 days. Other schedules involve taking progestin only every few months. This lowers the amount of progestin that you are exposed to. Monthly regimens are also thought to result in hormone levels that are more like the natural menstrual cycle. Cyclical EPT can produce bleeding like a menstrual period, but it can occur less often than monthly.
What Is The Best Hormone Replacement Therapy
- What?
- What is the Best Hormone Replacement Therapy?
When it comes to hormone replacement therapy, you have options. If youre an older adult female going through menopause, youre bound to experience some unpleasant changes in your body that a male could never understand. At this time, your hormone levels are all over the place. Theyre consistently inconsistent, and theyre dropping at an increasingly alarming rate. Some of these treatments are known to raise the level of a particular hormone that has seen a substantial decline. Unfortunately, this hormone may not be the only one that needs prompt attention. This is why its vital to take a closer look at the various types of HRT that are being offered today. What is best hormone replacement therapy, and what makes this one better than the other?
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Can Increase The Risk Of Blood Clots
Studies have shown that HRT may raise your risk of blood clots and stroke. This risk may be highest for people over 60 or who started menopause over a decade ago. The longer you take HRT, the greater the increase in your risk.
Because of this risk, health experts recommend the lowest possible HRT dose for the shortest period of time for people over 60 or who are 10 years past the onset of menopause.
Treating And Managing Symptoms Related To Midlife Hormone Flux: What To Know
Mood swings, hot flashes, and many of the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause are treatable. When you consult with a physician, bring a list of your experiences so far, and what you have done to cope. Also, check with your doctor before taking herbs and supplements, because some can interfere with your current medications, or are not recommended for women who have had breast cancer.
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How To Use Estrace
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start using this medication and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor. You may take it with food or right after a meal to prevent stomach upset.
If you are taking the extended-release tablets, do not crush, chew, or dissolve them. Doing so can release all of the drug at once, increasing the risk of side effects. Also, do not split extended-release tablets unless they have a score line and your doctor or pharmacist tells you to do so. Swallow the whole or split tablet without crushing or chewing.
The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.
Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day as directed. Follow your dosing schedule carefully. Do not increase your dose or take this medication more often or for a longer time than directed.
Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.
What Is Known About Hormone Therapy And The Risk Of Breast Cancer
Taking combined hormone therapy can increase your risk of developing breast cancer. Here are some important findings:
- Taking combination hormone therapy showed a rare increase of absolute risk of less than one additional case of breast cancer per 1000 person years of use.
- There was a nonsignificant reduction in breast cancer seen in women with hysterectomies on estrogen only therapy.
- If youve been diagnosed with breast cancer you should not take systemic hormone therapy.
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Experts Answer: Is Hormone Replacement Therapy Safe
30 May 2013
Each week, MyHealthNewsDaily asks the experts to answer questions about your health.
This week, we asked gynecologists, endocrinologists and oncologists: Is hormone replacement therapy safe? Here’s what they said.
Dr. K. Flood-Shaffer, associate professor in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Cincinnati in Ohio:
“Unfortunately, there is no simple yes or no answer to that question. But the good news is that there is definitely a place a safe place for hormones. The Women’s Health Initiative Study , which began to provide good data in 2004, was the first study to slow the unfettered use of hormones in the United States. The data is still being gathered and that is why there is so much confusion on the matter.
“That being said, hormones are also NOT a ‘forever’ medication. Women who have a clear cut indication for hormones and no contraindications , the careful, judicious and temporary use of hormones is considered safe. Women must see their gynecologist, family physician or internist to discuss their own personal situation and risk factors and have a very individualized plan devised for them under close supervision with their physician.”
Dr. Joseph Ragaz, medical oncologist and clinical professor of medicine in the School of Population & Public Health at the University of British Columbia in Canada:
How Do The Hormones Used In Mht Differ From The Hormones Produced By A Womans Body
The hormones used in MHT come from a variety of plants and animals, or they can be made in a laboratory. The chemical structure of these hormones is similar, although usually not identical, to those of hormones produced by womens bodies.
Non-FDA-approved hormone products, sometimes referred to as bio-identical hormones, are widely promoted and sold without a prescription on the Internet. Claims that these products are safer or more natural than FDA-approved hormonal products are not supported by credible scientific evidence. The FDA provides more information about these products on its Menopause page.
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Hormone Replacement Therapy May Cause Side Effects Tell Your Doctor If Any Of These Symptoms Are Severe Or Do Not Go Away:
- headache
- changes in sex drive or ability
- nervousness
- brown or black skin patches
- acne
- swelling of hands, feet, or lower legs
- bleeding or spotting between menstrual periods
- changes in menstrual flow
- dark-colored urine
- light-colored stool
Hormone replacement therapy may increase the risk of developing endometrial cancer and gallbladder disease. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking this medication.
Hormone replacement therapy may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone .
How Should This Medicine Be Used
Hormone replacement therapy comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day. To help you remember to take hormone replacement therapy, take it around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take this medication exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without talking to your doctor.
Activella, FemHrt, and Prempro come as tablets containing estrogen and progestin. Take one tablet every day.
Ortho-Prefest comes in a blister card containing 30 tablets. Take one pink tablet once daily for 3 days, then take one white tablet once daily for 3 days. Repeat this process until you finish all the tablets on the card. Begin a new blister card the day after you finish the last one.
Premphase comes in a dispenser containing 28 tablets. Take one maroon tablet once daily on days 1 to 14, and take one light-blue tablet once daily on days 15 to 28. Begin a new dispenser the day after you finish the last one.
Before taking hormone replacement therapy, ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient and read it carefully.
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Stroke And Heart Attacks
The latest analysis from Women’s Health Concern regarding the risk of heart disease and stroke for women taking HRT states that:
- the risk of stroke is increased in women who smoke and are overweight
- women starting HRT and aged below 60 are not at an increased risk of stroke
- HRT is not recommended for women with a history of stroke or deep vein thrombosis
Speak to your GP if you are taking HRT and are worried about the risk of stroke or heart disease.
Is This The Same Thing As Hormone Replacement Therapy
Many experts now use the term hormone therapy instead of hormone replacement therapy. The word replacement suggests that something is gone thats supposed to be there, said Dr. Mattatall.
But perimenopause and menopause are natural parts of aging, even if they come with difficult symptoms, she pointed out. There was a historical misogynist view that older women are supposed to be hormonally like they were in your 20s, she said. Thats unfair, she added. Theres nothing wrong with you in menopause. If you have these symptoms, we have therapies that can help.
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Estrogen Treatment: Topical Creams Gels And Sprays
- What are they? Estrogen gels , creams , and sprays offer another way of getting estrogen into your system. As with patches, this type of estrogen treatment is absorbed through the skin directly into the bloodstream. The specifics on how to apply these creams vary, although they’re usually used once a day. Estrogel is applied on one arm, from the wrist to the shoulder. Estrasorb is applied to the legs. Evamist is applied to the arm.
- Pros. Because estrogen creams are absorbed through the skin and go directly into the bloodstream, they’re safer than oral estrogen for people who have liver and cholesterol problems.
- Cons. Estrogen gels, creams, and sprays have not been well-studied. While they could be safer than oral estrogen, experts aren’t sure. So assume that they pose the same slight risk of serious conditions, like cancer and stroke.One potential problem with using this type of estrogen treatment is that the gel, cream or spray can rub or wash off before it’s been fully absorbed. Make sure you let the topical dry before you put on clothes. Always apply it after you bathe or shower.
Because the estrogen is absorbed right through the skin, don’t let other people in your family touch these creams or gels. If they do, they could get dosed with estrogen themselves. For the same reason, make sure your hands are clean and dry after applying the medication.
Menopause Symptoms And Hrt
Menopause symptoms that may be relieved by HRT include:
- hot flushes and night sweats
- vaginal dryness
- hair loss or abnormal hair growth
- dry and itchy eyes.
Other therapies, including vaginal oestrogen products, antidepressants or other medications, may be used depending on the symptoms and risk factors. Seek advice from your doctor.
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Does Hormone Replacement Cause Weight Gain
Another question that worries menopausal individuals is does hormone therapy cause weight gain? Scientific researches and clinical studies prove that hormone therapy for menopause weight gain is possible.
Hormone therapy for weight loss has its pros and cons. In most cases, women manage to get rid of the excessive fluid accumulation which is an inevitable part of fat-burning fitness programs. The increase of hormones that are responsible for the fat-to-energy transformation help to reduce belly fat and control the situation with floating. If a woman or a man relies only on hormone therapy weight loss, the outcome can be unsatisfying.
Weight management is a process that demands a complex approach. Hormone therapy weight loss involves specialists who understand what the transition period is, its impact on the human body, and can find and delete barriers that prevent midlife people from normal life. Hormone replacement for weight loss needs a specific program that navigates a patient telling what and how to do and to take to achieve the desired results. Hormone replacement therapy and weight loss cannot exist separately without dieting, workload, variety of physical activities, and stress management programs.
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What Is Menopause Hormonal Therapy
During menopause, the amount of oestrogen produced by a womans body drops and this can cause symptoms associated with menopause such as hot flushes, night sweats, sleep problems, muscle and joint pains, mood changes, vaginal dryness and discomfort with sex. Read more about menopause.Menopause hormonal therapy is the use of hormone therapy to replace the oestrogen that your ovaries no longer make during and after menopause. It can help relieve some of the symptoms of menopause. Hormone therapy may have either oestrogen alone or oestrogen plus progestogen, depending on what is best for you. Menopause hormonal therapy is not recommended in certain situations, such as for women who have a history of breast cancer, are at risk of heart disease, or have had a blood clot or are high risk of having a blood clot. Ask your doctor whether menopause hormonal therapy is right for you there are also other non-hormone options that can help with menopausal symptoms.
- For women who still have their uterus, MRT will have both oestrogen and progestogen. This is because oestrogen alone can overstimulate the cells lining your uterus, causing an increased risk of endometrial cancer . To counter this risk, women who have a uterus are advised to take progestogen together with oestrogen.
- In women who have had their uterus removed surgically , MRT will have oestrogen alone.
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What Types Of Therapy Are There
HRT can be given by tablets, patches, creams or gels under advice from a GP, or a Menopause specialist. HRT can take different forms: Oestrogen only suitable for women who do not have a uterus . Cyclical combined which is both oestrogen and progesterone together and re-introduces monthly periods. Continuous combined these prevent periods and may either be oestrogen and progesterone combined or Tibolone a synthetic medication that has combined effects of oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone.
Women with an intact uterus must take combined HRT, replacing both oestrogen and progesterone, to prevent thickening of the lining of the womb and therefore reduce the risk of endometrial cancer of the womb. If a woman has had a hysterectomy then HRT can be oestrogen only.
Hormone Replacement Therapy : Is It Right For You
Hormone replacement therapy is a treatment in which hormones are prescribed to treat certain medical conditions. It is most commonly used to treat symptoms of menopause. The hormones used in HRT are synthetic , but they function like natural hormones.
Hormone TherapyPostmenopausal hormone therapyoften referred to as hormone therapyis a broad term that describes the use of estrogen, or estrogen-progestin in combination, to replace the hormones no longer produced by the body after menopause. The goal of hormone therapy is to relieve menopausal symptoms. It can also help prevent bone loss.
Common symptoms that tend to occur during menopause and have been shown to respond to hormone therapy include:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Vaginal dryness and atrophy
At one time, hormone therapy was also used for prevention of coronary heart disease and osteoporosis however, results from large-scale randomized trials by the Womens Health Initiative in 2002 showed that HRT raised the risk of breast cancer, heart attack, blood clots and stroke. The clinical trials were stopped, and women tossed away their hormones.
If youre starting to feel confused, youre not alone. Even researchers sometimes struggle with sorting out the seemingly conflicting reports to find answers. What is the best age for women to start HRT? How long should treatment last? Is a combination HRT always better than estrogen alone?
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What Other Information Should I Know
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. You should have a complete physical exam, including blood pressure measurements, breast and pelvic exams, and a Pap test at least yearly. Follow your doctor’s directions for examining your breasts report any lumps immediately.
If you are taking hormone replacement therapy to treat symptoms of menopause, your doctor will check every 3 to 6 months to see if you still need this medication. If you are taking this medication to prevent thinning of the bones , you will take it for a longer period of time.
Before you have any laboratory tests, tell the laboratory personnel that you take hormone replacement therapy, because this medication may interfere with some laboratory tests.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.