Hormone Replacement Therapy

By Jake Alexandre


Hormone replacement therapy is when a patient undergoes treatment to replace hormones that the body has stopped producing, or to supplement a hormone that the body is not producing in sufficient quantity. Hormone replacement therapy is done on patients with certain types of cancer. The most common use of hormone replacement therapy is among women who are going through menopause.

In hormone replacement therapy to overcome the stress of menopause; two female hormones are replaced that a woman's body no longer produces because of menopause. These hormones are oestrogen and progesterone. The oestrogen hormones used for hormone replacement therapy is taken either from plants, or from the urine of pregnant mares. The progesterone hormone uses a substance produced artificially by a chemical process known as progestogen as it is easier for the woman body to absorb.

The second type of hormone replacement therapy is for transgender, transsexual and gender variant people. This type of hormone replacement therapy includes hormone replacement therapy for people who want to change their gender from female to male, and male to female.

The other type, continuous combined HRT, is recommended for post-menopausal women who have not had their period for the last one year. Oestrogen and progesterone are given to such women every day without a break. The third common type of hormone replacement therapy is oestrogen-only HRT, which is usually recommended to those women who have got their ovaries and womb removed by hysterectomy. These women are treated with only oestrogen, and they do not need to take progesterone as they do not have wombs. There is no risk of endometrial cancer.

Women have to undergo a series of tests to determine exactly which hormones are being insufficiently produced by their body, and are then prescribed a hormone replacement therapy. Women with breast cancer, blood clotting and history of heart diseases are advised against going for hormone replacement therapy. Women who are not bothered by menopause symptoms should not opt for hormone replacement therapy. You can discuss this with your doctor and opt for other medications.

Some studies suggest that if estrogen hormones are taken in the early years of menopause, it may help in protecting the heart. If you do decide to go for hormone replacement therapy you should take the minimum recommended dosage, and for the smallest period of time needed to overcome your symptoms. Once you feel you have recovered, go back to your doctor and let the doctor perform tests to verify whether the therapy can be stopped or should be continued. There are several ways in which hormone replacement therapy can be administered, and it's up to you to select the way its most convenient for you to take. Hormone replacements can be in the form of pills, gel, patches, suppositories and cream. You and your doctor can decide which would suit you the best and will be convenient for you.




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1 comment:

  1. An online hormone replacement therapy clinic will also provide on-going access to Doctors and medical personnel to ensure proper administration and efficacy. Options for treatment vary, but they can include various protocols and methodologies to ensure proper on-going patient care. online hrt therapy is an option for both new and existing patients. New patients considering hormone therapy can have all of their questions answered and make a determination as to whether they are an appropriate candidate for therapy. Existing patients who are already on a hrt therapy protocol can seamlessly migrate to an online hrt clinic without having to interrupt their current protocol. Existing hrt patients will still be required to complete a hormone blood test panel. Existing male patients will need to ensure that the blood test is taken 5 days after prior administration of a hormone therapy protocol. Existing female patients will be asked to take their blood test within days 12 to 23 of their respective hormone cycle. This will ensure that a proper level is measured as it relates to hormones.

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