Menopause is a natural stage in a woman’s life, but it is often accompanied by physical and psychological changes that affect the quality of life. While some women pass this stage smoothly, others suffer from disturbing symptoms.
Calls for hormonal therapy are increasing to relieve these symptoms, supported by the support of celebrities and influencers on social media who described it as a “magic elixir”, according to the New York Times. But is hormonal therapy really suitable for all women? What are the medical considerations that must be taken into account before using it?
What happens to a woman’s body when menopause?
According to the American medical website “WebMD”, ovaries begin upon reaching the age of forties or fifties in producing less amounts of hormones estrogen and progesterone, which are responsible for organizing the menstrual cycle and many other vital functions in the body. This may cause symptoms in some women, including:
- Hot gifts and night sweating.
- Sleep disturbances.
- Vaginal dryness, painful intercourse and urinary tract infections.
- Mood changes such as anxiety, stress and depression in some cases.
- Bone weakness, joint pain and increased risk of osteoporosis.
What is hormonal treatment for menopause?
Hormonal therapy for menopause, or what is known as hormonal therapy, is a way to compensate for the lack of sexual hormones after menopause, which helps to alleviate the symptoms associated with this stage.
Treatment is either by giving estrogen alone to women who have undergone hysterectomy, or with a mixture of estrogen and progesterone for women who have not been subjected to eradication, as progesterone helps prevent the thickness of the endometrium, and thus reduces the risk of endometrial cancer.
Experts, according to the American New York Times, pointed out that hormonal therapy is classified into two main types based on the extent of its effect in the body and the way it is used:
- The hormonal therapy (the treatment that is transmitted through the bloodstream, reaches the cells and affects them throughout the body): is used to relieve some of the symptoms that affect the entire body, and are available in multiple forms such as grains.
- Topical hormonal therapy: applied topically to the vagina through creams, vaginal rings or suppositories, with the aim of relieving topical symptoms such as dehydration.
Who can benefit from hormonal therapy?
According to the website “Web Med”, doctors usually recommend hormonal therapy in the following cases:
- Women who suffer from severe and disturbing symptoms of menopause affect the quality of their lives.
- Those who entered early menopause (before the age of forty) as a result of ovarian removal or early ovarian failure (ovarian stopping early).
- Women who suffer from osteoporosis or have a family history of infection.
It is not recommended for those who have a satisfactory history that includes:
- Demand, heart attacks, and strokes.
- Heart, liver or gallbladder diseases.
- Cartes sensitive to estrogen, such as breast, uterus, or ovaries.
- Unconscious vaginal bleeding.
- Problem smokers.
Although hormonal therapy is a medical option that may improve the quality of life after menopause, the decision to use it must be based on an accurate assessment of the health condition away from media exaggerations or unjustified fears. Therefore, it is always recommended to discuss the benefits and risks with the specialist.