Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and Estrogen Replacement Therapy (ERT) are the standard treatments recommended by health care providers.
Estrogen Replacement Therapy is highly recommended by professionals for women who have had their ovaries removed
(surgical menopause).
Hormone Replacement Therapy, in the form of estrogen alone or combined with progestin, is taken by 14 million U.S. women.
Many physicians have prescribed HRT to prevent chronic conditions such as heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women in the United States.
However, many concerns about the risks and benefits of HRT and ERT are still controversial, and studies have surfaced with findings that these therapies have caused some dangerous side effects and have even led to cancer related problems.
The choice to go on Hormone Therapy is a personal one. The North American Menopause Society, as well as The Food and Drugs Administration, recommend to use the smallest doses for the shortest possible period of time. Talk to your doctor about taking short-term Hormone Replacement Therapy. Even short-term hormone therapy carries some risks, including blood clots and gallbladder inflammation.
Hormone Replacement Therapy can be very effective in relieving menopausal symptoms, but it's not for everyone. If you are concerned about HRT, discuss your concerns with your doctor and get a clear picture of the benefits and also the risks of the treatment. At menopausal age it's more critical than ever to feel you can confide in your doctor and trust that he will find appropriate solutions. Give your doctor complete information about your symptoms. Then, both of you will decide whether to go on medication and the risk of potential side effects. If Hormone Replacement Therapy is not right for you, there are other treatments that may offer relief.
Coping with Menopause Naturally
Menopause is the transitional change in a woman's life when the fertility cycle stops. It is an entirely natural process, and a welcome change in her body, totally appropriated for the non-reproductive years.
Hormone changes are the essence of this natural process. The symptoms of menopause will fade once the body adjusts to the lower levels of hormones. Menopause is not a disease, and the whole idea of supplementing or artificially replacing the hormones is contrary to nature and contrary to health. Today, with the great knowledge of herbal medicine, managing menopause naturally and drug free becomes a solution for health and happiness for the golden years.
