Hormone Health & HRT

Up to 80% of women will experience some symptoms of menopause, and about 30% of those women will seek medication therapy for these symptoms. The most common symptoms include:

• “Hot flashes” (which can include facial flushing, heart racing, and/or anxiety)
• Night sweats
• Mood changes

In the event of mild symptoms, consider a healthy/balanced diet that may include an increased soy intake, avoidance of spicy foods, decreasing stress, consistent exercise, and discontinuation of any tobacco products. 

HRT for Severe Menopause Symptoms

If your symptoms start to worsen and are affecting your work/daily life, it’s time to reach out to your provider. Your provider can offer you a few options to help with your symptoms.

For more severe symptoms, you might consider HRT, or Hormone Replacement Therapy. HRT is a treatment that aims to alleviate menopausal symptoms by replacing the hormones (primarily estrogen and sometimes progesterone) that the body produces in lower amounts during and after menopause.  It comes in various forms, including pills, patches, gels, and creams, each delivering hormones through different routes.  HRT aims to restore hormonal balance, thereby reducing symptoms.

Pros & Cons of HRT

However, it's important to note that HRT carries potential risks, and the decision to use it should be made in consultation with your provider. Some of the benefits include:

• Reduced menopausal symptoms
• Improved sexual satisfaction
• Decreased risk of hip fracture and colorectal cancer

Whereas some of the risks include:

• Increased breast cancer risk (particularly with greater than 5 years of use)
• Increased risk of blood clots, heart disease and/or stroke

Non-Hormonal Remedies for Menopause Symptoms

For women experiencing menopausal symptoms who are not candidates for or prefer not to use hormone replacement therapy (HRT), several effective non-hormonal options exist.  These include

• SSRIs - selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and other antidepressants, which can help manage mood swings and hot flashes
• Gabapentin - an anticonvulsant medication, is sometimes used to alleviate hot flashes
• Clonidine - typically prescribed for high blood pressure, may also provide relief from hot flashes in some women
• Lifestyle modifications - regular exercise, stress reduction techniques, a balanced diet, and quitting smoking remain crucial components of managing menopausal symptoms naturally

The best approach will depend on individual symptoms and preferences. Reach out to your CHI Health Women’s Health provider for more information or to schedule an appointment.