 Hormone Replacement
Therapy
There comes a time in a woman's life when hormones begin to change in a way
that can effect her overall health. At time when serious decisions have to be made
concerning hormone replacement therapy. At Albany
OB-GYN,
our Board Certified Gynecologists, can talk with you and answer your concerns about
hormone replacement therapy. They will evaluate your health history and recommend what is
best for you.
Each of our bodies contains their own "chemical plants".
Those "chemical plants", also known as glands, produce hormones that control
when and how certain organs work. In women, the hormone estrogen plays
a key role in the reproductive system. Produced by the ovaries, estrogen also
affects a woman's bones, heart and blood vessels.
When a woman reaches menopause, the amount of estrogen the body
produces is greatly decreased. Estrogen loss can also occur after a woman has had
surgery to remove her ovaries. Prior to menopause, some women may produce too-little
estrogen. This low production of estrogen could be caused by extreme weight loss
from anorexia nervosa (an eating disorder) or from too much exercise. In such cases, a
woman's monthly period would stop.
Signs of Low Estrogen Production
Estrogen depletion could be signified by:
• Hot Flashes in which a sudden feeling of
heat spreads over all or part of a woman's body. About
75% of women going through menopause complain of hot
flashes. This often occurs at night
and disrupts sleep. Hot flashes may come and go for
several years.
• Vaginal dryness which can cause painful
sex, results from the vagina becoming thinner and
less flexible. Vaginal itching, burning or discharge
may also occur. Some women may find an
increased need to urinate although if urination is
painful, it could be a sign of urinary tract infection.
• Emotional changes can occur with lower
estrogen levels. Mood swings (extreme highs and lows)
are pretty common among women whose estrogen levels
are lower
.
For more information about menopause or other hormonal changes, please
fill out our information request or consult your physician.
Women with lower estrogen levels are at greater risk of fractures and heart
attacks. Estrogen in women appears to help prevent heart disease. Reduced estrogen levels
causes bone loss to occur in women, therefore increasing the risk of fracture. To prevent
some of the health problems caused by reduced estrogen supply estrogen, many women elect
to take hormone replacement therapy.
Benefits and Risks of Hormone
Replacement Therapy Hormone replacement
therapy can relieve the symptoms of low estrogen. However, as with any medication, there
are risks involved. A woman's medical history and the severity of her symptoms determine
whether or not she is a candidate for hormone replacement therapy.
One concern about estrogen replacement is the increased risk of cancer of the
endometrium. Women who have had their uterus surgically removed do not have to be
concerned about this cancer. However, women with their uterus in tact, are at risk.
It is thought, though, that taking progestin with estrogen, reduces this risk. In fact,
women taking both estrogen and progestin have a lower risk of endometrial cancer than
women taking no hormones. It is still unclear, however, what effect progestin has on heart
disease. If you are unsure if hormone replacement therapy is right for you, please fill
out our information request form or consult your physician.
As with any treatment, the benefits of hormone replacement therapy must be
weighed against the risks. While this treatment prevents some health problems facing women
during and after menopause, the risks must also be considered. If you are at a point in
your life where you feel hormone replacement is necessary, speak with your physician about
your symptoms and concerns. Your physician will be able to outline your treatment
options and together, you can make the right decision concerning your health.
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