Why Take Hormone Replacement Therapy?

The decision to take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a personal one. HRT involves taking hormone medications to supplement or replace the hormones that your body may no longer produce in sufficient quantities.

Benefits of hormone replacement therapy include:

• Relief of perimenopausal or menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood swings, and sleep disturbances.
• Prevention of osteoporosis. Oestrogen plays a crucial role in maintaining bone density and the decline in oestrogen levels after menopause increases the risk of osteoporosis. Oestrogen can help to slow down bone loss and reduce the risk of fractures associated with osteoporosis.
• Management of genitourinary symptoms such as vaginal dryness, vaginal atrophy and discomfort during intercourse, which may occur due to the decline in oestrogen levels. Hormone therapy can improve vaginal lubrication and elasticity, making sexual activity more comfortable and decreasing the likelihood of urine infections.
• Potential cardiovascular benefits. Beginning HRT around the time of menopause may have cardiovascular benefits for some women, including a decreased risk of heart disease. However, the relationship between HRT and cardiovascular health is complex and depends on various factors, including age, health history, and the type of hormones used.
• Individualised approach: HRT can be tailored to meet individual needs. For instance, women who have undergone a hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus) may only need oestrogen therapy, while women with an intact uterus usually require a combination of oestrogen and progesterone to reduce the risk of endometrial cancer. Progesterone provides hormonal balance ensuring that oestrogen does not become dominant.

Hormone therapies are not suitable for everyone. Bioidentical hormones and body-identical hormones have a different safety profile when compared with non-identical hormones such as oestradiol valerate and progestins. Regular monitoring and follow-up with a healthcare provider are crucial to ensure the safe and appropriate use of hormone therapies.