MidLife
PEPI - What is hormone replacement therapy?
Menopause denotes the completion of a full year without a period, including any bleeding, even spotting. It usually happens between the ages of 45 and 54. Menopause can occur naturally or as the result of surgery. The procedure, called a hysterectomy, removes the uterus and sometimes the ovaries and fallopian tubes as well. Although a woman no longer has periods after a hysterectomy, she does not go through menopause unless both ovaries are removed--otherwise, menopause still occurs naturally.
Whether menopause occurs naturally or surgically, many women experience symptoms as their body adjusts to the fall in estrogen. The most common symptoms are hot flashes and flushes, sweats, and sleep disturbances. Other changes occur that may produce no recognized symptoms, such as an increased rate of bone loss that may result in osteoporosis. The osteoporosis may, in turn, lead to bone fractures usually after age 70.These changes may interfere with a woman's regular activities.
To relieve symptoms and reduce some of the other, symptomless changes, doctors may prescribe "hormone replacement therapy" (HRT). Today, this term is used to describe treatment with either estrogen alone or with estrogen and another hormone called progestin. The two hormones help regulate a woman's menstrual cycle and progestin is added to prevent the overgrowth (or hyperplasia) of cells in the lining of the uterus.
Hormone therapy goes by various names, depending on the hormones used. "Estrogen replacement therapy" refers to treatment that uses only estrogen. "Combined progestin/estrogen replacement therapy" (PERT) is the use of both hormones. Replacement therapies can be taken in several ways, including orally or through a patch on the skin. The hormones may be taken daily or on only certain days of the month.
Source: The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
