All women undergo menopause at some point to mark the end of childbearing years. In the U.S., the average age of menopause onset is 51, although it can occur in the ’40s. While some women might have no symptoms of menopause, others often experience night sweats, insomnia, and hot flashes. Hormone replacement therapy replaces estrogen levels that drop during menopause and relieves severe menopausal symptoms. If you are struggling with symptoms resulting from hormone imbalance, Rapha health and wellness can rebalance the hormones and enhance your life quality with hormone replacement therapy. Here is a look at signs that you should consider hormone replacement therapy.
Low Sex Drive
Low levels of estrogen can lower your libido. You might realize that it is becoming more difficult to get aroused sexually. Menopause often causes vaginal dryness and thinning of vaginal tissues, resulting in uncomfortable or painful sex. However, not all women experience this, with some women continuing with a satisfying sex life after menopause. If you are among those that experience a low sex drive, hormone replacement therapy can help.
Mood Swings
We all experience mood swings occasionally. However, hormonal changes during menopause make mood swings happen more regularly. Depending on their intensity, it can be difficult to carry out your daily activities. Some of the ways to get relief from mood swings include doing meditation and yoga, exercising, and eating nutritious food. However, sometimes these techniques are not enough, and you might be required to consider hormone replacement therapy.
Chronic Vaginal Burning and Itching
Estrogen plays a role in maintaining natural vaginal lubrication. It also helps maintain the elasticity and thickness of your vaginal. During menopause, low levels of estrogen can cause vaginal thinning and inflammation, leading to a condition known as vaginal atrophy. This can cause burning and itching. Fortunately, you can find relief through hormone replacement therapy. However, vaginal itching and burning can also result from a yeast infection or sexually transmitted infection, so it’s important to see your doctor first.
Hair Loss
When the levels of estrogen drop during menopause, you might experience loss of hair. However, hair loss can be caused by other factors, including illness, genetics, nutritional deficiencies, and age. If you think your hair loss is due to menopause, you should consult your physician on whether hormone replacement therapy is ideal.
Chronic Insomnia
According to statistics, Americans are generally sleep-deprived. However, you may be surprised to realize menopause might cause chronic insomnia. You might start finding it hard to go to sleep and stay asleep. Well, hormone replacement therapy can help you regain your normal sleeping pattern.
Night Sweats and Hot Flashes
Most menopausal women complain about night sweats and hot flashes. Reduced estrogen levels often affect the internal temperature control of your body. This often causes a wave of heat that causes sweating. The hypothalamus misjudges how cold or hot your body is, activating processes that cause a hot flash.
Ultimately, hormone replacement therapy can help treat these menopausal symptoms. It is also effective in preventing bone loss and fractures in postmenopausal women. However, some risks are also linked with using hormone therapy depending on the type of hormone therapy, the dosage, the duration of medication, and your health risks. For best results, you should work with your doctor to customize the best hormone treatment therapy for you and regularly reevaluate it to ensure the benefits always outweigh the risks.