How Hormone Replacement Therapy Can Help With the Side Effects of Menopause

Menopause is a fact of life for most women in their 40s and 50s, marking a permanent end to periods. But while there are definitely positive aspects to menopause, this major “change of life” is also associated with some unpleasant side effects.

At Feminine Urgicare, our team is dedicated to helping women manage menopause symptoms and enjoy a higher quality of life. At our practice, many women benefit from bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to supplement the declining levels of estrogen that lead to most menopause symptoms. Here’s how HRT can help you.

The “side effects” of menopause

Menopause happens when your ovaries stop producing estrogen — the so-called “female sex hormone” that plays a significant role in a woman’s reproductive health. 

However, while estrogen may be most closely associated with periods and pregnancy, its effects are far more profound and far-reaching — and that’s why declining levels of estrogen cause so many unexpected and unwanted side effects.

Some menopause symptoms are familiar. For instance, most women know menopause can cause hot flashes, night sweats, and irritability or moodiness. But that’s just the beginning. Many women have other symptoms, including:

• Weight gain
• Sleep problems
• Fatigue
• Decreased libido
• Pain during sex
• Vaginal dryness, itching, or burning
• Increase in urinary tract infections
• Urinary incontinence
• Low energy levels
• Changes in hair growth
• Dry, itchy skin
• “Brain fog” involving problems with memory or concentration
• Increased risk of osteoporosis (weak bones)

While 51 is the average menopause age, symptoms can begin years before your periods completely stop and persist for years afterward.

Benefits of HRT

Menopause symptoms are directly related to the decline in hormones normally produced in your ovaries. When your ovaries “retire,” hormone production declines, leaving you at a higher risk of developing the symptoms listed above. 

HRT uses bioidentical hormones that are chemically identical to the hormones your body is no longer producing. When you receive HRT, your body uses those bioidentical hormones to perform the same functions that rely on natural estrogen. It also eliminates excess hormones in the same way, preventing “build up” that can increase the risk of unwanted side effects.

HRT is prescribed just like any other medical therapy. We test your hormone levels, perform an exam, and review your symptoms and lifestyle to prescribe an optimal dose for your unique needs. Over time, we adjust the dose when needed to ensure you get all the benefits HRT has to offer.

Like birth control, HRT comes in different forms, including: 

• Topical gels 
• Patches 
• Injections 
• Pellets 
• Pills 

That means you can select the method that suits your health needs, lifestyle, and personal preferences.

Find relief for your menopause symptoms

Menopause may be a natural occurrence, but that doesn’t mean it’s a pleasant experience. HRT can help you navigate the changes in your life while maintaining your comfort and health. 

To learn more about HRT, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Feminine Urgicare in Paramus, New Jersey, today.