Menopause Symptoms: What They Are and How Hormone Replacement Therapy Works
Menopause symptoms can vary greatly from person to person. Generally, hormonal changes during menopause can lead to various physical and emotional side effects such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, low libido, sleep disturbances, and mood swings.
A 2023 study published in Menopause: The Journal of the Menopause Society found that a high number of women experiencing severe menopausal symptoms were left untreated or had no documented prescription medication, and approximately 50% of women delayed seeking care for more than six months.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), also known as menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), is an FDA-approved effective treatment for alleviating menopausal symptoms. However, many doctors are hesitant to prescribe it, and many women are concerned about taking it.
HRT involves the use of estrogen and progestin, aimed at relieving symptoms and providing long-term health benefits. Depending on the patient’s symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle, they may be prescribed systemic therapies (delivered through pills, skin patches, gels, injections, and sprays) or local therapies (administered through creams, tablets, or vaginal rings).
Not everyone is a good candidate for HRT—individuals with a history of certain medical conditions such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, and heart disease may not be suitable for the treatment. However, discussions are ongoing about the potential benefits and risks associated with HRT for these groups.
Moreover, HRT has been a topic of controversy since the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), which linked hormone therapy to increased risks of certain diseases. Subsequent studies have shown that younger women and those close to menopause may benefit from HRT, with lower risks and positive health outcomes.
Despite potential benefits, some doctors remain hesitant about prescribing HRT due to inadequate understanding of menopause, lack of awareness of modern hormone therapy options, and difficulty in establishing standardized approaches to diagnosis and treatment.
In conclusion, menopause is inevitable, but suffering doesn’t have to be. Patients and doctors should have open and informed conversations about menopause symptoms, and explore available treatments to ensure that women can lead healthy, fulfilling lives through menopause and beyond.
