The Many Positives of HRT

What is HRT?

During the reproductive years of a woman, the ovaries produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen does the work of regulating the monthly menstrual cycle of a woman and secondary sexual characteristics like breast development and function. It also rises at different times in the menstrual cycle in order to prepare the body for reproduction and fertilization. Progesterone also rises in a cyclical fashion for preparing the uterus for any possible pregnancy and to prepare the breasts for lactation. As a woman reaches menopause, typically around 50 years old, her body starts producing less and less estrogen and progesterone. It is estimated that 40 million women will reach menopause in the 20 years to come.

The decreased levels of estrogen during menopause can cause hot flashes, vaginal dryness, sleep disturbances or some other bothering side effects. The dryness of tissue surrounding the vagina and urethra sometimes causes pain during sexual intercourse or urination, and HRT that is hormone replacement therapy helps to relieve these and other menopausal symptoms. Hormone replacement therapy is synthetic estrogen and progesterone designed to replace the depleting hormone levels of a woman.

Benefits of HRT -

Research has shown that the treatment may also help in preventing osteoporosis, heart disease, short-term memory loss, depression and other diseases in post-menopausal women. It is highly effective at relieving menopausal symptoms and may provide protection against conditions such as osteoporosis.

In July 2002, the National Institutes of Health stopped a large study on HRT, called the Women's Health Initiative as the combined estrogen/progestin regimen of the therapy caused 8 cases of invasive breast cancer for every 10,000 women on treatment that is a 26 percent increase in breast cancer risk compared to women who do not take treatment.

Though these numbers are alarming, some experts believe that limited, short-term use can be safe among some women who are not at high risk of breast cancer or any other disease. Therefore, the patients and physicians should make the decision about treatment together, based on what the individual medical situation is.