Hormone management is a great way to help with menopause symptoms. It usually involves taking medication that contains estrogen to replace the hormones that are no longer being produced. Hormone management can also help prevent bone loss. A lot goes into managing your hormones during or after menopause. NCCRM offers menopause specialist Raleigh, NC, services that can help with this, along with fertility treatments, GYN procedures, and more. Hormone therapy should be tailored to each person and the patient should be monitored closely during the whole process.
Options for Hormone Replacement Therapy During Menopause
There are two types of hormone therapy: systemic hormone therapy and low-dose vaginal products. Systemic hormone therapy comes in a pill, patch, ring, gel, cream, or spray. It contains a high dose of estrogen and can be used to treat menopausal symptoms. Low-dose vaginal products are usually lower in estrogen. This kind of treatment is to treat vaginal or urinary symptoms that usually come about due to menopause. If you haven’t had your uterus removed, taking progesterone or progestin along with your estrogen treatment is important. This is to prevent complications from the doses of estrogen.
Hormone Replacement Therapy for Menopause: Risks
A few risks and complications could arise while taking hormone therapy. The increase in hormones can cause blood clots and strokes. There is also an increased risk of breast cancer with 5 or more years of taking the hormones. However, the risk is lowered after the hormone therapy is stopped. Heart disease is also a possible risk.
Most of these risks also depend on other factors, such as:
- Age: women who are 60+ or more than 10 years older than they were when they started menopause are more likely to develop a condition as stated above.
- Health history: personal and family history of medical conditions are major factors in the type of hormone therapy that you’re going to receive
- Type of hormone therapy: the types of hormones you’re taking (estrogen alone or with progestin) can impact the risks and complications.
Hormone Replacement Therapy for Menopause: Benefits
Hormonal management can help relieve quite a few symptoms. Severe hot flashes, bone density loss or fractures, and early onset of menopause are things that hormone therapy can help with. Estrogen therapy can also help decrease your risk of mood changes, heart disease, stroke, dementia, and osteoporosis. Getting GYN procedures from NCCRM can help prevent early menopause. Frequent checkups and screenings with a menopause specialist Raleigh, NC, are imperative to maintaining good reproductive health.
Alternatives to Hormone Replacement Therapy for Menopause
Some people choose not to take hormones or cannot take hormones because of another medical condition. However, you can manage the symptoms with other things. Hot flashes can be helped by limiting caffeine and alcohol intake and practicing relaxing techniques that can limit stress and anxiety. Painful intercourse and vaginal dryness can be relieved by lubricant or medications.
Trust Menopause Specialists in Raleigh, NC at NCCRM
Before settling on hormone therapy or method, talk to your healthcare provider at NCCRM. We can help you figure out the best treatment methods for you and your situation. Everyone is different, and we have unique treatment plans for each of our patients. Review your plan with your healthcare provider frequently, and discuss any changes, questions, or concerns regarding GYN procedures with them early. From hysterectomies to ovarian rejuvenation, we want to make sure that we have a plan that benefits you the best.
