HRT - this abbreviation stands for hormone replacement therapy. It is usually performed in women who have reached menopause. This is a rather complicated topic that has gathered a lot of myths and prejudices around itself. Unfortunately, HRT is far from always adequately perceived in the post-Soviet space, in contrast to the West. So, according to statistics, only 0.2% of Russian women accept it today.
What is menopause?
Almost all modern women are literally afraid of the onset of menopause. However, in reality, there is nothing wrong with it, because in the translation from the Greek language this word means “step”. It should be perceived as a new round of life, and not a period that you just need to “survive”. Thanks to the possibilities of modern medicine (namely hormone replacement therapy), it can be enjoyed.
Menopause is most often accompanied by many unpleasant symptoms. They arise due to a deficiency of female sex hormones. In particular, we are talking about estrogen. The work of many vital organs of a woman’s body depends on the level of this hormone. This applies not only to the genitourinary system, but also to the brain, heart and blood vessels. Under conditions of estrogen deficiency, their work is deteriorating. In this regard, women of mature age are faced with the so-called hot flashes, excessive sweating, frequent headaches, changes in blood pressure, depressed mood, insomnia and many, many other symptoms. These signs and manifestations depend on a large number of factors, in particular, the age of the patient and the characteristics of her health. According to statistics, only 20-30% of the fair sex relatively easily overcome this difficult period of their lives. It should be noted that many of them do not feel the tides. This only indicates the presence of a stable autonomic system, but does not confirm the absence of any problems during hormonal adjustment. That is why you should visit a gynecologist during menopause even when ailments do not occur. Hormone replacement therapy for menopause may be required even if at first glance everything is going well.
Androgens and estrogens
In the female body there are many different hormones that regulate a variety of aspects of life. Their imbalance can lead to the most unexpected consequences. An overabundance and lack of androgens (male hormones) and estrogens (female) equally affect health. Moreover, this is true not only in childbearing age, but also in the climatic period.
Low levels of androgens in women can cause a loss of interest in sex. This is due to the fact that testosterone (the main male hormone) is responsible for sexual arousal. Along with this, these violations can provoke a significant increase in cholesterol. In this case, the blood becomes thicker, and the capillaries become fragile. The combination of these negative factors can lead to problems with blood pressure and constant hot flashes.
Androgens in women have a significant effect on physical activity. With their deficiency, decreased performance and increased fatigue are noted. In addition, drowsiness and weakness may appear throughout the body.
It is also worth noting that the lack of male hormones can affect the hairline. This applies not only to the whole body, but also to the head. Hair can thin out significantly.
Estrogens are the main hormones in women. Their reduced production is considered one of the main causes of aging in the fair sex. The lack of estrogen leads to the fact that during the menopause, the fair sex begins to gain weight. Of course, a slowing metabolism also contributes to this, but a decrease in hormone production also plays a role. A lack of estrogen can create a predisposition for changes in blood pressure and hot flashes. Finally, the low level of this hormone in a woman often causes unpleasant symptoms such as discomfort and burning in the area of the mammary glands.
What is HRT for?
The aging of the female body is a complex process. Usually it begins at the age of 40 - just with the onset of menopause. The essence of hormone replacement therapy in menopause is to make up for the lack of their own hormones, which were previously produced naturally in the female body. The introduction of estrogen of animal and artificial origin. Thanks to this, it is possible to avoid unpleasant symptoms that are caused by a lack of their own sex hormones, as well as slow down the aging process. This significantly improves the well-being of a woman and helps her maintain self-confidence.
Bad myths
Many are unreasonably afraid of HRT. Despite the rapid development of science, some still tend to believe in various myths and stereotypes, depriving themselves of a higher quality of life. Patients who consider hormone replacement therapy unnatural, can refuse it even when they need it. Thus, in addition to chronic stress, fear of losing a job and noticeable signs of aging, all menopausal symptoms additionally “collapse” on a woman aged 45-55. As a result, quality of life may deteriorate by an average of 79%.
Some patients refuse HRT because they are confident in the addiction that they will cause in the future. You need to understand that these drugs are not narcotic substances that can cause persistent dependence. They only make up for the hormone deficiency that occurs with age for physiological reasons. Properly selected therapy does not affect the natural processes occurring in the body. It only helps a woman survive hormonal adjustment with the greatest possible comfort. At the same time, you can stop taking medications at any time. Only a preliminary consultation with a doctor is required.
"Mustache and beard" is a very old myth, which, unfortunately, many contemporaries continue to believe in. It used to be that taking hormones causes just such side effects. The roots of this myth "grow" from the middle of the last century, when new drugs - glucocorticoids were actively introduced into medical practice. For some reason, many ignore the fact that they made a real breakthrough in medicine. But their side effects, due to which women acquired masculine features (a rough voice, an excessive amount of hair on the body and face), were remembered very well. Also, the fact that many elderly women who had never taken HRT and had never heard of it, appeared noticeable thick hairs on the chin and above the upper lip. This is due to the fact that, first of all, the production of estrogen fades, and the production of male hormones - then.
In fairness, it is worth noting that since then, medicine has stepped very far forward. That is why the attribution of "old" side effects to new generation medicines is, at least, unreasonable. Hormones contained in specialized drugs are almost identical to natural. The drugs themselves are becoming more effective, and their side effects are less pronounced.
Indications
HRT is required by very many women. The main reason for her appointment is premature ovarian exhaustion. In simple terms, we are talking about the early onset of menopause - up to 40 years. At this age, the extinction of ovarian function should not be observed. However, if this does occur, then the lack of estrogen should be corrected.
HRT is also prescribed for those women in whom the climatic period passes with complications. Treatment is necessary if numerous unpleasant symptoms prevent the patient from leading an active life.
Indications for hormone replacement therapy may be as follows:
- Constant and prolonged tides.
- Excessive sweating.
- Decreased sexual desire.
- Vaginal dryness.
- Deterioration in sleep quality.
- Urinary incontinence.
Along with this, HRT is indicated for women who have lost their ovaries due to their removal for medical reasons (for example, malignant tumors). It is also prescribed as an adjunct in the prevention of osteoporosis (a serious disease in which the bones become fragile).
Contraindications
HRT has not yet become ubiquitous. Has hormone replacement therapy for and against. Before appointing her, the doctor must necessarily conduct a comprehensive examination of the patient's body and determine the general state of her health. A family history is also crucial. This is due to the fact that there are many contraindications to hormone replacement therapy. It is not prescribed for women whose relatives have been diagnosed with breast or endometrial cancer. This is due to the fact that HRT can increase the risk of its development with prolonged use. In addition, there are the following main contraindications:
- Predisposition to thrombosis.
- Endometriosis
- Uterine fibroids.
- Oncological skin diseases.
- Disorders of the liver or kidneys.
- Various immune diseases.
Drug Compensation
Hormone replacement therapy drugs are currently presented in a wide variety. Almost all means (with rare exceptions) have a common focus - filling the shortage of female sex hormones. So, for example, the combination medicine “Femoston” acts in two directions at once. Its main active ingredients are estradiol and dydrogesterone. The tool has different forms of release - depending on the dosage of hormones. The lack of estrogen drug allows you to compensate. Thanks to it, age-related changes in the mucous membranes of the genitourinary system (irritation, itching, dryness and so on) are leveled. Didrogestone, in turn, restores the secretory function of the endometrium. This prevents the development of hyperplasia and malignant degeneration of cells.
After removal of the ovaries and uterus, estrogen deficiency is also observed. In this case, a variety of drugs can be prescribed, for example, Proginova. The tool differs from many similar ones in that it contains exclusively estradiol. If the uterus is still preserved, then an additional progestogen may be required.
After 50 years
The older a woman becomes, the stronger age-related changes affect almost all systems of her body. This affects the deterioration of the quality of life, causing discomfort. The hormone imbalance that occurs during this period can have quite serious consequences. Hormone replacement therapy for women after 50 years of age and drugs can be prescribed only after passing all the necessary tests and consulting with a specialist. You should take the direction and donate blood in the laboratory. Properly selected therapy can not only deal with age-related changes, but also significantly improve the well-being of women. HRT stimulates sexual activity and improves mood. In addition, according to studies, it prolongs life.
Hormone replacement therapy for women after 50 years of age may include the following:
- "Angelique." Relieves the condition during menopause. It improves memory and concentration.
- Qi-Klim. Herbal medicine. Therefore, many women prefer it to him.
- "Divina." This hormonal drug is taken on the principle of contraceptives.
- "Climodien." It is usually prescribed a year after the onset of menopause.
In men
Not only women, contrary to stereotypes, need hormone replacement therapy. With age, the work of the endocrine system can be disrupted in any person. So, men often experience a decrease in serum testosterone concentration. This negatively affects the work of various organs and systems of the body, due to which the overall quality of life is reduced. The lack of testosterone production sometimes begins after 30 years. By the age of 40, against the background of this process, sexual desire can significantly decrease. There is also a chance of developing osteoporosis and serious vascular diseases. Hormone replacement therapy for men provides them with the opportunity to avoid many unpleasant consequences.
All representatives of a strong half of humanity aged 50 years and older are advised to take appropriate tests in order to timely diagnose androgen deficiency syndrome. It is worth paying attention to such disturbing manifestations as:
- Fatigue and constant breakdown.
- Decreased sexual desire.
- Breast enlargement.
- Excessive irritability.
- Depressive conditions.
- High blood cholesterol.
If there are several symptoms of the above, you should consult a doctor and undergo a comprehensive examination.
Finally
In the West, the experience of using hormonal drugs has more than half a century, while in Russia this period is less than 15-20 years. In 2005, the International Congress on Menopause, which was held in Argentina, completely lifted restrictions on the duration of taking such funds. The so-called hormonophobia is just a harmful myth that the citizens of developed countries have left far behind. This not only increases their life expectancy and its quality in general, but also helps them to remain active, alert and cheerful. We can say that HRT allows you to maintain youth in many manifestations, even stepping over the maturity threshold.
Hormone replacement therapy is a conscious choice for women who want to prolong their youth and beauty, as well as maintain their health. At the same time, HRT can be much more effective if you eat right and lead an active lifestyle.
Despite the fact that such therapy has certain contraindications, there is no reason for concern if timely tests and all the recommendations of a qualified doctor are followed.