Guide To Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hormone replacement therapy is getting very popular in relieving thousands of women who suffer from menopausal problems including hot flashes, depression and vaginal dryness. The therapy involves in treating these women with a dose of estrogen- the female hormone that the menopausal women can’t produce in their bodies along with progestin to save them from the risk of uterus cancer.

However you need to know a number of things before you go for the hormone replacement therapy. Some of the things you should tell your doctor are enumerated below:

  1. Allergies: You should tell your doctor well in advance if you are allergic to estrogen or progestin instead of regretting later.
  2. Already prescribed medicines: Tell the exact prescription of the medications that you are currently having. There might be some medications that may have a counter effect, when taken along with estrogen.
  3. Past history of ailments: Your doctor should know your complete medical past to assess if you should actually go for the therapy or not. Some of the diseases that restrict the hormone replacement therapy are asthma, epilepsy, depression, migraine and kidney diseases.
  4. Pregnancy: If you are already breast feeding or pregnant or are planning to get pregnant then you should not go for this therapy as these medicines can harm the fetus.
  5. Smoking: If you are a smoker, then you need to quit smoking at least six months before starting with the therapy. Smoking decreases the effectiveness of these medicines and also increases the risk of other serious side effects including cardiac problems.
  6. Get ready for side effects: Estrogen is known for its side effects in many women. So you should also get ready to suffer from some of them that include nausea, anxiety, nervousness, headache and depression.

Even after the hormone replacement therapy here are few precautions you must take to ensure good health:

  1. Regular dose: You should be very careful not to miss even a single dose of your medicine. In case you missed take it as soon as you remember.
  2. Regular exercise: Exercising regularly improves the effect of this therapy. Fit a well coordinated exercise plan in your schedule.
  3. Balanced Diet: Follow the dietary instructions of your doctor. It will help you to stay healthy by decreasing the side effects of the therapy.

With these little tips and precautions in mind you can possible evade all the side effects and tensions associated with the hormone replacement therapy.