Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is a general term that can be used for both testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). Recently, there’s been increasing discussion about its safety. Who should take HRT, and who shouldn’t? What are the risks associated with HRT, and what are its benefits?
I decided to help our readers and clear up these confusions by answering all these queries in detail in this well-researched blog based on my personal experiences with hundreds of patients.
What can Hormone Therapy help with?
Before discussing anything about HRT, first, we need to understand what hormone therapy can help with.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is generally used to treat the symptoms of low testosterone in men. Similarly, men with low muscle mass can also benefit from HRT. However, it is not limited to these two treatments. There are many more conditions which can also be treated with HRT.
Regarding women, HRT can help lessen the symptoms of menopause, such as:
- Night Sweats
- Hot Flashes
- Vaginal Dryness
- Disturbed Sleep
Is Hormone Therapy Right for you?
According to the source, the benefits of HRT outweigh the risks. There is minimal chance of severe side effects due to HRT. Whether hormone therapy is suitable for you or not depends on your medical tests, symptoms, and family history.
The best way to know whether you should take HRT is to make an appointment with a qualified medical doctor. Apply Now for an online consultation with our expert medical staff.
Based on your medical tests, he can suggest whether you are a preferred candidate for HRT.
What are the benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Hormone Replacement Therapy offers many benefits for both men and women. Some expected HRT benefits include:
1. Relieving Menopause Symptoms
HRT can help women suffering from perimenopause and menopause symptoms such as:
- Mood Swings
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Feeling low in energy
2. Maintaining Bone Health
HRT can also help maintain bone health. Generally, the level of estrogen falls after menopause, which is compulsory for healthy bones. Its deficiency can lead to osteoporosis, a condition in which bones become thin. Taking HRT with a qualified medical doctor can help prevent osteoporosis.
Note: It may not entirely prevent osteoporosis, especially in severe cases or without additional lifestyle changes
3. Maintaining muscle Strength
It is common for a man with low testosterone and a woman who reached menopause to lose muscle strength. HRT has the potential to help maintain muscle strength. In addition to HRT, you should also need to do some exercise.
4. Reduce Risks of Heart Diseases
It is believed that HRT can also help reduce heart disease risks. Because HRT helps improve estrogen levels, estrogen helps maintain the cholesterol level, reducing the risk of heart diseases.
5. Improved Sexual Life
Men suffering from low testosterone and erectile dysfunction can benefit from Hormone Replacement Therapy. Because HRT can help increase the production of testosterone, and you may find that your libido returns with HRT.
What are the risks associated with Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Regarding the risks of HRT, the chances of severe side effects are meager. Usually, it depends on the type of HRT you take, how long you take it, and your health risks. Here are some of the common risks associated with HRT:
1. Breast Cancer
Research studies found that HRT may slightly increase the chances of breast cancer. If you have symptoms or a history of breast cancer, it’s advisable to avoid HRT.According to the source, Out of every 1,000 women taking combined HRT for five years, only about five additional cases of breast cancer are found.
2. Blood Clots
Similarly, there are also some concerns that HRT tablets may cause blood clots. However, again, the risk is shallow. If you are still worried about blood clots due to HRT tablets, your doctor can advise you to take HRT gels, patches, or sprays because they don’t cause blood clots.
3. Stroke
HRT tablets may slightly increase the chances of stroke, mainly if you are above 60 years of age. Individual risk level depends on age, medical history, and the types of hormone therapy you take.
4. Coronary Heart Diseases
One study found that HRT may result in coronary heart disease. However, the two cases studied showed conflicting results. So, we can’t associate HRT with coronary heart disease until more scientific research is held on this.
5. Venous thromboembolism
There are also some concerns that oral HRT may cause venous thromboembolism in women. However, there was no evidence of increased risks for transdermal HRT. (R)
Who can benefit from HRT?
You can benefit from HRT if you have the following:
- Moderate to severe hot flashes
- Having symptoms of menopause
- Suffering from erectile dysfunction
- Losing muscle mass
- Feeling low on energy, mostly
When should you go for HRT?
Generally, if a person has the following symptoms, he should consider going for HRT after consultation with a qualified medical doctor.
- Disturb Sleeping
- Night Sweats
- Body aches
- Feeling tired most of the time and low on energy
- Unable to concentrate
- Discomfort with sexual activity
- Facing problems with thinking
- Not able to concentrate
- Losing muscle mass
How Long Can I Take HRT?
How long an individual should take HRT is different from the question we can answer here because there is no fixed period for taking HRT. It usually depends on the individual health condition and other symptoms. Your doctor is the best person to suggest how long you should take HRT.
Who should not be on HRT?
Generally, it is advised that people who are above 60 years of age should avoid taking HRT. This is because taking HRT after 60 years may increase the risks of cardiovascular diseases and dementia. However, you should consult a qualified medical physician if you are still unsure.
The Bottom Line
Hormone replacement therapy has both benefits and risks. But the benefits outweigh the risks. That’s why if you are suffering from perimenopausal symptoms, facing low testosterone issues, or losing muscle weight, then you should consider taking HRT.
Note: While the risks may be low, they still exist and vary depending on individual health factors. Please consult a qualified medical doctor before taking HRT because your doctor can provide personalized advice based on your medical history and risk factors.
Disclaimer: The information on PrometheuzHRT is provided solely for informational purposes. Readers should not make any decisions based exclusively on this site’s content.