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Am I a Good Candidate for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)?
Most women go through menopause in their 40s or 50s. Menopause marks the end of your monthly menstrual cycle after not getting your period for 12 months. Many women experience bothersome menopausal symptoms during the years leading up to menopause, during menopause, and even post-menopause.
Symptoms include:
- Hot flashes
- Vaginal dryness
- Mood swings
- Sleep disturbance
- Weight gain
- Pain during sex
Symptoms can range from mild to severe and can even interfere with your quality of life. Fortunately, treatments can help minimize your symptoms. Hormone replacement therapy, HRT, is one of them.
While HRT is very effective, it’s not the right treatment for all women. At Female Health Associates of North Texas in Fort Worth, board-certified urogynecologist Dr. Jeffrey Hantes can help determine if you’re a good candidate for HRT and recommend a personalized treatment plan to help you minimize your most problematic menopausal issues.
Here, Dr. Hantes shares some factors to consider before HRT.
Age
It’s best to take HRT within 10 years of starting menopause and before age 60. Studies show that the benefits outweigh your risks if you take it soon after menopause. However, your risk increases for specific conditions, such as breast cancer and blood clots, if you take HRT at age 60 or older or more than 10 years after the end of your last period. Fortunately, however, the older you get and the further away from the onset of menopause, the more likely your symptoms will diminish.
Health history
If you or your family has a history of certain conditions like breast cancer, heart disease, stroke, blood clots, liver disease, or osteoporosis, Dr. Hantes will discuss the pros and risks of taking HRT. Together, you and he can weigh the risks and benefits to determine if HRT is appropriate and, if so, what dose and form to take.
Your symptoms
Treatment for symptoms, such as hot flashes, pain with sex, sleep problems, and mood disturbances is only necessary if they’re problematic and interfere with your life. Depending on your symptoms and their severity, Dr. Hantes can prescribe HRT to match your unique needs.
If menopause symptoms interfere with your daily activities, relationships, and enjoyment of life, HRT can potentially improve your mood, boost your energy, improve your sex life, and help you get a good night’s sleep.
To learn more about treatment for hormonal imbalances, contact us at Female Health Associates of North Texas to make an appointment with Dr. Hantes. You can reach out by phone or online. We’re here to help!