When actress Halle Berry delivered her resounding speech at Capitol Hill a few months ago, she echoed the sentiment of millions of women.
The 58-year-old Oscar winner proudly shouted, “I’m in menopause” as she urged the advancement of menopause care. Her rallying call supported legislation pushing for $275 million dedicated to research and education on menopause.
If the bill is passed, the federal government will spend the funds on clinical trials and hormone therapy. The potential boost to menopause research comes a few decades after hormone replacement therapy (HRT) fell out of favor, says The Conversation.
In recent times, scientific studies have underscored the benefits of the therapy in treating menopause. Below, we’ll discuss how HRT is evolving for the better.
What is Hormone Replacement Therapy?
HRT treats menopause symptoms, from hot flashes to vaginal dryness. Sometimes, the therapy is referred to as hormone therapy (HT).
Most people transitioning to menopause have higher levels of estrogen, thus creating a hormonal imbalance. The condition leads to mood swings, hot sweats, insomnia and other symptoms.
Cleveland Clinic describes HRT as a replacement for the hormones that your body doesn’t make enough of. Once the hormone levels rise, people experience symptomatic relief.
When the Going Gets Hot
Hundreds of medical centers across the U.S. offer HRT, and depending on your location, hot flashes can cause incredible frustration in warmer states.
In Rockwell, Texas, summers get extremely hot, reaching 95 to 105°F. The decrease in estrogen causes the body’s internal thermostat to become more sensitive, hence the hot flashes and night sweats.
Medical experts suggest consulting a physician specializing in women’s health to inquire about hormone replacement therapy in Rockwall.
Hot flashes can be an uncomfortable inconvenience. However, there are ways to manage it before visiting a professional.
Wearing lightweight clothing during the hot summer and drinking enough water offers some relief. A handheld fan also comes in handy when the weather becomes unbearable.
When speaking to a physician, EVEXIAS Medical Centers suggests they tailor a treatment plan to address your specific health concerns and symptoms.
Debunking the HRT Myths
There’s been much debate surrounding HRT. The confusion comes in what is myth and fact. The taboo associated with menopause further permeates the silence.
One of the biggest threats against women seeking treatment is the widely held belief that HRT is dangerous. The Australian Women’s Weekly reports that while HRT historically had known risks, presently it is safer and more effective.
A women’s health doctor tells the publication that like any medication, HRT has potential side effects. In terms of benefits, it can stabilize severe symptoms like hot flashes and mood swings linked to menopause.
Another misconception is that HRT is only meant for women, yet it can be beneficial to everyone at different stages of their lives. And HRT does not cause weight gain, the reason being that women tend to gain a few pounds in midlife.
The Evolution of HRT
Fortunately, doctors are prescribing hormonal therapy more frequently now that science has debunked many untruths.
The therapy can be administered via skin patches, tablets, gels, hormone pellets or vaginal suppositories. However, patients with underlying conditions like a history of cancer should avoid HRT treatment.
Synthetic or bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) has also become more commonly prescribed. The method uses hormones chemically identical to those produced by the body, offering a more natural approach.
To this day, healthcare providers aren’t fully aware of how to effectively treat menopause. But a new study sheds more light on how the benefits of HRT outweigh the risks.
The research published in JAMA found that hormone therapy has lower adverse effects in women below age 60. The analysis was based on two decades of data, including the Women’s Health Initiative study.
Initial findings resulted in thousands of women stopping Prempro, a combination of estrogen and progestin. The treatment was found to have higher risks of breast cancer and stroke.
Referring to the controversial Women’s Health Initiative study, clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology Dr Lauren Streicher tells NRP that the findings were flawed. Some of the risks identified were linked to the type of hormones that women were given.
Rethinking HRT
Menopausal experts believe it’s time to rethink HRT because they know much more now than they did before.
More importantly, they’ve discovered that different types of hormones can be safer when delivered in a smaller dose.
Now that people like Halle Berry are spotlighting conversations around menopause, the proposed legislation will encourage further awareness of menopause detection and diagnosis.
A professional writer with over a decade of incessant writing skills. Her topics of interest and expertise range from health, nutrition and psychology.
