Some of the effects of menopause can range from uncomfortable to troublesome and are a reason why many women are turning to hormone replacement therapy. Hormone replacement therapy is a treatment in the form of medication that uses either estrogen or a combination of estrogen and progesterone to reduce or eliminate symptoms of menopause.

Hormone replacement therapy works by replacing estrogen in a woman’s body. Estrogen is a key hormone not just for fertility; it helps the body process calcium, which is important for strong bones, maintains healthy cholesterol levels, and keeps the vagina healthy. Because estrogen is important for many functions in the body, hormone replacement therapy benefits more than those women who are having acute symptoms of menopause.

Menopause is defined as the time of your last menstrual period. It is not considered the last until a woman has not had a period for one year. This one year span must taken into account if the woman has been ill, pregnant, breast-feeding, or using certain medications.

There are more than 50 types of hormone replacement therapy available. One option is cyclical hormone replacement therapy, which mimics the normal menstrual cycle. In that case, oestrogen is taken every day, with progestogen for 12 to 14 days. So, when should you seek out hormone replacement therapy clinics? Here is a list of symptoms that HRT might be helpful for.

Acute Symptoms of Menopause

One of the major reasons women seek out hormone replacement therapy is due to the severe symptoms of menopause. When the body produces less estrogen and progesterone, certain symptoms can occur because of the fluctuation in hormone levels. These include hot flashes, which are sudden sensations of warmth, often accompanied by flushing and sweating, sleep disturbance, and vaginal dryness.

When these symptoms become so severe as to inhibit well-being, it is possible to receive hormone replacement therapy to reduce or eliminate the symptoms. They work by replenishing the hormones in the body so that the symptoms are alleviated. Hormone treatment can make life, then, a little more bearable.

Loss of Bone Mass

Because estrogen influences the amount of calcium that is processed, loss of bone mass is cited as a possible effect of menopause. While much of bone loss is due to the natural aging process, menopause can have an effect and lead to osteoporosis, which is a condition of significantly weakened bones. This can lead to bones breaking more easily than in others.

Hormone replacement therapy clinics offer specialized advice and diagnosis to see if HRT is right for you. Often, the initial consultation can aid in your understanding of your condition and give you the information needed to make the decision about which therapy, if any, to pursue. Hormone replacement therapy clinics may also offer more tailored options for treatment of your condition. They serve both men and women for a variety of health related afflictions.