Menopause is a complex physiologically conditioned process of restructuring a woman’s body, during which reproductive and menstrual functions fade away. Hormonal changes affect many life systems. The basis of these problems is a decrease in the level of estrogen produced by the ovaries. These processes cause the cessation of menstruation, excessive sweating and excessive irritability, endocrine disorders, the appearance of wrinkles on the skin and general aging of the body.
Hormonal itself is not pathology, but in most women it proceeds very intensively, which significantly reduces the quality of their life. Taking medications that compensate for female sex hormones is the optimal method of combating hormonal insufficiency.
Hormone therapy: harmful effects on the body
The issue of the safety of taking hormonal drugs began to alarm the public since 2002, when the report of a study by the World Health Organization was published. It was found that long-term use of hormone replacement drugs significantly increases the risk of developing breast cancer cells, stroke and heart attack. One of the main reasons that cause concern is the ambiguity of the dosage.
The hormonal level in the human body is not constant, it can fluctuate greatly during stressful situations or depending on other factors. Therefore, it is necessary to start using hormonal drugs during menopause very carefully, taking into account the individual characteristics of the body, constantly monitoring and adjusting the dosage. Often, neither doctors nor patients have time for a thorough study and constant monitoring, so average doses are prescribed. As a result, excessive use of hormonal drugs can cause serious damage to health. However, do not forget that the human body is smart enough and able to remove excess substances.
The benefits of using hormonal drugs
In conditions of insufficient production of estrogens, complex changes occur that accelerate the aging of the body. Against the background of these changes, malignant and benign tumors, psychoemotional disorders, atrophic changes in muscles and skin, etc. occur. In order to prevent these diseases, it is necessary to undergo a course of hormone treatment. It is important that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) drugs are correctly selected. Timely and individually selected HRT helps to stabilize and reduce weight, but a prerequisite for this is increased physical activity, smoking cessation and limited consumption of alcoholic beverages.
There are several options for hormone replacement therapy:
- Short-term therapy aimed at eliminating the primary signs of menopause, such as hot flashes, sweating, excessive irritability, headaches. The duration of the course takes from 3 to 6 months, repeated treatment is allowed.
- Long-term therapy, designed to prevent and eliminate later symptoms (itching and burning in the vagina, high blood pressure, dry skin, brittle hair and nails), metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases.
Disputes concerning the benefits and harms of hormone therapy do not subside, it is important to remember that if treatment is started in a timely manner, prescribed after consultation with an experienced doctor and carried out under supervision, the use of hormone replacement drugs during menopause will not cause side effects. With HRT, a sufficient amount of estrogens enters the body, an imbalance of the hormonal background is excluded, which allows not only to prolong the feeling of youth, but also to improve the quality of life in general.