Can You Have PCOS Without Knowing It?
PCOS can quietly disrupt your health without obvious warning signs. It’s wise to partner with a women’s health specialist to take a closer look at what your body may be telling you.
Facts and Myths About Treating Menopausal Symptoms With Hormone Replacement Therapy
Each year, more than 1.3 million women reach menopause, and while this is a natural phase in a woman’s life, the symptoms that accompany it can be challenging, and they can last for years. Some women sail through menopause with ease, but for many others, symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and brain fog have a major impact on their quality of life.
The board-certified OB/GYN providers at Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology offer individualized treatment for menopause tailored to each patient’s needs. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) remains the most effective treatment for troublesome menopause symptoms.
However, misconceptions surrounding HRT can leave women feeling confused and questioning its safety and benefits. Being able to separate the facts from the myths about HRT can help you make informed decisions about managing your menopausal symptoms.
Fact: Hormone replacement therapy effectively relieves menopausal symptoms
Its effectiveness in reducing the symptoms of menopause is one of the most well-established facts about hormone therapy. Supplementing declining estrogen helps balance the hormonal fluctuations that cause uncomfortable symptoms like night sweats and vaginal dryness.
Myth: Hormone replacement therapy is unsafe
While it's true that HRT isn’t suitable for everyone, it’s a misconception that it’s inherently unsafe. For decades, hormone therapy was the most prescribed treatment for menopause.
However, use declined significantly following the 2002 publication of the Women’s Health Initiative study that found taking estrogen plus progestin increased the risk of heart disease, stroke, and breast cancer in some women. This led to confusion over if, how, and when to use HRT.
Unfortunately, the study had some major flaws, one of which is that most of the participants were more than a decade past menopause, which greatly impacts health risks. In recent years, the original researchers have revised their finding and statement about HRT, but this hasn’t erased the harm of misinformation.
The takeaway is that HRT is a safe and effective option for many women, and our team can determine if it's a safe option for you.
Fact: Hormone replacement therapy can protect bone health
As estrogen levels drop during menopause, bone loss accelerates, putting women at an increased risk of osteoporosis. HRT helps maintain bone density and reduces the risk of spine, hip, and other osteoporosis-related fractures, providing an added layer of protection as you age.
Myth: There’s only one type of hormone therapy
Various forms and delivery methods of HRT are available — including patches, gels, creams, and oral pills — and the type of hormones used vary as well. The choice of therapy depends on a number of individual factors, including overall health, individual risk profile, and symptoms.
Our team has the expertise to help you find the right type, form, and dose to best manage your symptoms.
Fact: There are other options
A comprehensive, personalized assessment allows us to help you find the most suitable option for your needs. While hormone therapy is a highly effective treatment for relieving menopause symptoms, it isn’t suitable for every woman.
If you have indicators that make hormone therapy unsuitable for you, such as a history of blood clots or personal or family history of breast cancer, our team can discuss alternative treatments based on your symptoms.
The US Food and Drug Administration recently approved a new medication to treat moderate to severe hot flashes, for example. Sold under the brand name VEOZAH, the medication works by blocking receptors in the brain related to temperature regulation. Other nonhormonal treatments can address other symptoms.
Relief for your menopausal symptoms
Hormone replacement therapy helps many women relieve symptoms that disrupt their ability to feel good and function well. If you’re struggling with menopausal symptoms, our compassionate providers urge you to come in for a visit to have a detailed discussion about HRT.
It’s possible to thrive after menopause, and we’re here to help. Contact Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology to schedule a consultation today, and get back to feeling like yourself again.
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