Is HRT Right For Me?
Hormone Replacement Therapy – What’s it all about, and do I need it? If you’re a woman of a certain age you’ve probably heard about, if not considered Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Understanding the menopause, its causes and symptoms, is the first step. Yes, there are pros and cons, benefits and risks.
But where do you start if you’re considering a course of Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Here are some of the facts and figures, and what to expect when the time comes, hopefully making understanding the menopause a little less daunting.
Understanding the Menopause: Facts, Figures and Flushes
Around 80% of women will experience menopause. Surprisingly, only 15% will seek Hormone Replacement Therapy. With around 9.5 million women falling into the age bracket that experiences menopause (45-55 yrs), that’s still quite an impressive number of women choosing to go down the HRT route.
If you’re reading this it’s likely that you are already acquainted with some of the symptoms of menopause. But it always helps to know you’re not alone, so here’s a brief reminder of some of the physical and psychological symptoms you can expect:
- Mood changes, mood swings
- Anxiety and depression
- Skin changes – from dry to oily to acne
- Problems sleeping at night
- Fatigue during the day (no surprise, if you experience the last one)!
- Hot flushes
- Aching Joints
- Weight Gain
It’s a cheerful list isn’t it? For some women, these symptoms are a mild inconvenience. For others they can be pretty debilitating. Those who fall into the latter category are the ones who will benefit most from Hormone Replacement Therapy, but not all will choose to take up the offer.
For those who do, what can they expect? Well, as everyone’s hormone levels fluctuate at different rates, the most important thing to do is to get your levels checked. This will lead to a more effective and personalised treatment plan, avoiding the ‘one size fits all’ prescription that many women are still offered.
Your menopause experience is as individual as you are. To get the very best treatment it’s advisable to undergo blood tests to identify the correct treatment required to re-balance your hormone levels. The specialist facility at re-enhance will help you find the right hormone replacement treatment, helping you to get back to living a balanced and harmonious existence. Call us today to arrange a consultation and get your personalised HRT journey started.
