Menopause is a normal biological process that all women go through as they reach a certain age. While menopause itself doesn’t require treatment, it comes with uncomfortable symptoms that affect a menopausal woman’s daily life. If the menopausal symptoms become unbearable for you, it might be a good time to consult a physician about taking hormone therapy.
So what are the signs that tell menopausal women that they need hormone replacement therapy? Women who are near or in their menopause years often experience symptoms of hormonal imbalance including changes in menstrual period, hot flushes, poor vaginal health, low sexual drive, mood changes, trouble sleeping, forgetfulness, and a few physical changes.
Menopause is defined as the absence of a menstrual cycle for at least 12 consecutive months. It’s a normal part of aging in women that occurs because their sex hormone levels decline. The ovaries also stop releasing egg cells, which means that women can’t get pregnant anymore.
Most women experience menopause during their 40s or 50s, but around 1% of women go through premature menopause even if they haven’t reached 40 yet. Women usually start noticing changes in their bodies about a few months or years before they reach menopause. These symptoms are caused by hormone deficiency in the body, which is why most doctors recommend HRT to help patients relieve pain and discomfort.
Want to find out if you’re a candidate for HRT? Here are eight menopause symptoms that tell you to start considering hormone replacement therapy:
Irregular periods are one of the most common signs that women are approaching menopause. Their menstrual cycle comes either less or more often. It might also be heavier or lighter and last shorter or longer than the previous one.
Perimenopausal women often find it hard to predict when their period starts or how long it lasts. It also gets harder to gauge whether the flow is light or heavy. The chances of getting pregnant also lower, but it’s still possible as long as they have their period.
Cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy may find that their periods become irregular, but this is completely normal. On the other hand, postmenopausal women shouldn’t experience bleeding or even spotting. If this happens, make sure to talk to a doctor immediately about unexplained vaginal bleeding.
A hot flash is the sudden warmness that patients feel in their upper body — typically over the face, chest, and neck. This condition also causes the skin to sweat and redden. Some people also experience a rapid heartbeat because of a hot flash. These symptoms usually last for 1 to 5 minutes, which are followed by shivers or sudden coldness.
Hot flashes might happen any time of the day, but they’re most common during the night (“night sweats”). Some women experience severe night sweats that cause them to wake up in the middle of the night.
Hot flashes are caused by changing hormone levels. Estrogen deficiency in the body causes the hypothalamus to be more sensitive to changes in body temperature. Even the slightest rise in body temperature causes the hypothalamus to create a hot flash in an attempt to “cool down.”
Vaginal atrophy (or “atrophic vaginitis”) is a condition that causes drying, thinning, and inflammation of the vaginal wall. This is a result of the hormone imbalance in the body, particularly the lack of enough oestrogen.
Vaginal dryness is a common problem among women after their menopause, but women in their perimenopause and menopause phases may also experience this. Atrophic vaginitis makes intercourse painful. It also leads to some discomfort for patients whenever they urinate. Since it causes both urinary and vaginal symptoms, most doctors use the term “genitourinary symptoms of menopause (GSM)” to describe atrophic vaginitis.
Regular sexual activity helps prevent the risk of vaginal atrophy because it increases the blood circulation in the area to keep the vaginal tissues healthy. Patients may also talk to a medical professional about using estrogen therapy to restore the menopausal hormones in their bodies.
Low sex drive and libido are directly related to the hormone imbalance of the body. These hormones dictate a person’s performance and the pleasure they feel during intercourse. The lack of testosterone in men and progesterone and estrogen in women often leads to intimacy problems for most couples.
Hormonal imbalance in women usually occurs during and after pregnancy, as well as during their menopause. As the estrogen levels drop, the vaginal tissues become dry. Most women also become less interested in sex during this period. Some of them might still experience satisfying intercourse, but most women suffer from low libido whenever their estrogen levels are low.
Estrogen pills and other types of hormone replacement therapy help women balance their hormone levels for healthier vaginal tissues and improved sexual drive. However, it’s important to remember that HRT doesn’t prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), so make sure to use contraceptives during sex.
Several factors affect a person’s mood, including hormone imbalance. While mood changes are normal for some individuals, frequent and severe mood swings are a sign of hormone fluctuation. Women who have been diagnosed with depression or anxiety might experience worse symptoms as they reach menopause age.
Estrogen helps regulate different hormones in the body including the ones responsible for boosting a person’s mood — dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. With less estrogen in the body, there aren’t enough hormones to regulate and improve an individual’s mood which leaves them to feel irritable or sad.
Menopausal hormone therapy helps improve a patient’s mood by stabilizing the hormone levels in the body. However, this shouldn’t be considered as an alternative treatment for other patients who are suffering from depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. Talking to a physician helps patients decide if the best treatment for them is HRT, antidepressants, or psychotherapy.
Menopausal women are at risk of developing sleep disorders like sleep apnea because of the low estrogen and progesterone levels in the body. Sleep apnea is a serious breathing disorder that consists of involuntary breathing pauses throughout the night. Some patients also experience choking sensations at night because of sleep apnea.
Hot flashes are also another reason why many menopausal women find it hard to sleep at night. These two conditions disrupt sleep, affecting their overall health. The lack of a good night’s sleep also dampens a person’s mood and impairs their focus.
If you’re having trouble sleeping at night because of vasomotor symptoms, make sure to consult with a medical professional as soon as possible. Hormone replacement therapy is a helpful treatment that relieves different menopausal symptoms by restoring hormone balance in the body.
Memory problems and impaired focus are common for menopausal women. It’s normal for them to forget where they put their keys or why they entered a room. Forgetfulness is also a result of too much stress, but make sure to consult with a medical professional if you feel that you’re forgetting too much.
Women in the early stage of menopause are also more vulnerable to cognitive issues compared with postmenopausal women. According to the study published by The North American Menopause Society, women’s memory improved after going through menopause.
But for those who experience moderate to severe memory loss during menopause, low-dose menopausal hormone therapy might be helpful. However, it’s also important to remember that this kind of treatment is associated with many risks including colorectal cancer, endometrial cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, cardiovascular disease, venous thromboembolism, and more.
Make sure to talk to a medical professional first to make sure that the benefits of HRT outweigh its risks. It also helps to find a trusted doctor who administers safe and effective HRT.
Women also experience a few physical changes as they reach menopause. For example, their hair becomes thin and their skin becomes dry. Estrogen is the hormone responsible for keeping the skin moisturized and plump. Without enough estrogen in the body, many women experience hair loss and crepey skin.
Some women also start noticing unwanted facial hair in their chin and upper lip. This is usually caused by the high levels of androgen in the body, but it might also be a result of a disorder that affects the ovaries of the adrenal glands.
Weight loss is also another common menopausal symptom that many women dread. The fat distribution in the body is mainly affected by the amount of estrogen. Women in their childbearing age usually store fat in their lower body, while menopausal women store them around the abdomen.
Menopausal hormone therapy might help prevent some of these symptoms from occurring. HRT balances the important hormones in the body to prevent hair loss, dry skin, and unwanted facial hair. HRT combined with low doses of testosterone is also helpful for building muscle mass, improving weight distribution, and increasing bone density.
Read more: How Does Hormone Replacement Therapy Benefit a Woman Going Through Menopause
Menopause is an important phase in every woman’s life because it brings a lot of changes to their bodies. It also marks the end of their menstrual cycles. Most women experience menopause in their 40s or 50s, but the national average is 51 years old.
Menopause is often accompanied by uncomfortable symptoms, which is why patients seek different types of hormone replacement therapy with the help of medical professionals.
Menopause is a natural process triggered by the body’s production of fewer hormones and the ovary’s aging. But there are also instances where menopause happens earlier than normal, such as:
Natural menopause occurs in three distinct stages that are accompanied by different symptoms:
This phase usually occurs about 10 years before the actual menopause. During this stage, the ovaries start to produce less estrogen. Perimenopause usually occurs during a woman’s 40s, but some of them experience symptoms in their 30s as well.
Perimenopause lasts until the ovaries stop releasing eggs permanently. In the last two years of perimenopause, women experience a rapid decline in their estrogen levels. They might still have menstrual cycles and get pregnant during this period.
Menopause is medically defined as the absence of menstrual cycles for at least 12 consecutive months. During this stage, the ovaries no longer release eggs. The body also starts producing more estrogen during menopause than perimenopause.
In the post-menopause stage, women no longer bleed because of menstrual cycles. The menopausal symptoms like hot flashes also start easing down. But since post-menopausal women have significantly less amount of estrogen in their bodies, they become more vulnerable to several health conditions like bone loss (osteoporosis) and coronary heart disease. Taking estrogen pills or other types of HRT, along with healthy lifestyle changes, helps reduce the risks of these diseases.
There are several ways to diagnose menopause in women, but the most common method is to review the menstrual cycle over the previous year. The doctor might also perform different tests to rule out the possibility of pregnancy or other health conditions.
Some doctors perform blood tests that check the levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in the body. However, this test isn’t accurate because normal hormone fluctuations might affect the results. Most of the time, blood tests aren’t necessary for diagnosing menopause in women. Patients only need to talk to a doctor about their menstrual cycles and the symptoms they experienced.
Women become more vulnerable to different health risks after going through menopause, which is why they’re often advised to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Here are some of the most common health conditions that post-menopausal women might develop:
Hormone replacement therapy is a common treatment that helps women replace the important hormones in their bodies with synthetic ones like estradiol, progestin, and progestogen. However, this treatment also comes with certain risks, so it's important to consult a doctor first before starting HRT.
Read more: How Long Should a Woman Be On Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Hormone replacement therapy comes in a variety of types, depending on how they’re taken or which hormones each medication contains. Doctors might prescribe combined therapy or estrogen therapy alone for different patients.
This type of treatment combines doses of estrogen and progestin (the synthetic version of progesterone). It’s recommended for patients who still have their uterus because it reduces the risk of developing endometrial cancer. Progestin is typically used for birth control, but it’s also helpful in alleviating menopausal symptoms. The most common form of combined hormone therapy is oral HRT.
This type of HRT uses compounded bioidentical hormones like micronized progesterone that are derived from plants. The most common form of BHRT is pellet therapy that involves implanting pellets underneath the skin of the patient’s buttocks. The implants slowly release small doses of man-made hormones to help relieve menopausal symptoms.
Most manufacturers of BHRT medications claim that their products are safer than traditional HRT. However, there isn’t enough evidence to back this claim. Both BHRT and traditional HRT pose the same risks and complications to menopausal patients.
The biggest drawback of HRT is that it’s accompanied by different risks for patients. For example, breast cancer risk increases for patients who take combined HRT for more than 5 years. These patients are also at risk of developing stroke or heart disease.
Venous thrombosis refers to the blood clots inside the veins. Women under 50 years old have an increased risk of this condition if they’re taking oral HRT for their menopausal symptoms. The risk is also higher for patients who are in the first two years of their therapy.
It’s normal for patients to become doubtful of treatment once they hear about the possible complications. However, HRT remains the most effective procedure for restoring hormone balance to the body. Luckily, there are a few ways to help minimize the risks of HRT complications like:
Menopause is a normal biological process, but it doesn’t mean women have to endure painful symptoms especially if it starts affecting their daily lives. Here at Revitalize You MD, we offer safe and effective hormone replacement therapy to free your body from the different effects of aging.
Talk to our highly trained staff at Revitalize You MD today to find out which type of HRT works best for you. Call us now to schedule an appointment.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be used by many patients for various needs. While HRT is primarily used to address symptoms of menopause in women, men can also undergo hormone replacement to manage any hormone imbalance. Transgender patients who experience gender dysphoria would also need to take synthetic hormones as they transition. However, hormone treatment can be cost prohibitive, even if it’s recommended by your physician.
So can your health insurance cover hormone replacement therapy? It depends on your insurance provider. Usually, insurance will cover the full or partial cost of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) if it’s prescribed by a healthcare provider to treat menopausal symptoms. One the other hand, seeking an alternative specialist outside your insurance network may be an out-of-pocket cost. As insurance differs on a case-to-case basis, it’s best to check with your provider as well before undergoing treatment.
With aging comes the natural decline in the production of hormones that help maintain our quality of life. For men, testosterone levels drop at around age 50 and trigger andropause. Women, on the other hand, experience a decrease of female hormones like estrogen and progesterone when they’re in their mid-40s to early 50s. This hormonal imbalance during perimenopause and menopause can cause an uncomfortable number of menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and mood swings.
In order to ease the immediate symptoms of low hormone levels and prevent future health complications, most doctors would prescribe bio identical hormones in pill, patch, gel, cream, ring, or pellet form; these compounded bioidentical hormones are derived from natural products like yam and soy to mimic the structure and function of human hormones to alleviate symptoms of menopause.
The cost of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is around $200 - $500 per month, which includes the medication, a customized treatment plan, and follow-up appointments. Added costs include the initial consultation with a doctor -- which may cost $75 - $200 -- and a blood test to check the hormones, which can cost around $80 - $500 without insurance.
The basic cost of HRT covers the bioidentical hormones; prices may vary depending on the treatment method, the drug used, the dosage, and other factors. Generic estrogen-only or progestin-only pills usually fall at a lower price range, while combined HRT and brand-name products may be at the higher end.
Many hormone therapy patients have found the long-term benefits and relief from symptoms to be worth the cost, as well as any potential health risks. As long as your physician prescribes quality, compatible hormones and manages your condition through regular check-ups, there is little to no increased risk of breast cancer, weight gain, heart disease, or other medical problems associated with hormone replacement therapy.
No health plan is created equal, especially in the United States, where you can get an individual plan, an employer-sponsored health plan, or a government-based health plan like Medicare or Medicaid. As each plan takes into account factors like healthcare providers, medication, and types of treatment, there is no simple answer to the question.
Whether or not bioidentical hormone replacement therapy falls under your insurance coverage ultimately depends on your insurance provider and your health insurance plan. Most insurance plans do cover hormone replacement therapy or a patient experiencing symptoms of menopause, as long as it’s recommended by your primary health care provider. However, some health plans -- like Kaiser -- don’t cover hormone therapy.
It’s also possible that your insurance will cover some types of hormones, but not others, which is especially true if you're interested in getting bioidentical hormones. If your insurance company does not cover “holistic” or “natural” treatments, BHRT is not likely to be included. In other cases, a patient experiencing menopausal symptoms would have a similar coverage guideline as a male patient experiencing andropause, but most insurance carriers won’t cover testosterone when it’s prescribed for a female patient with low testosterone levels.
Other health policies also cover more than others. Medicare, for example, has a limited prescription drug coverage under its original Part A and B plans. You would have to add a stand-alone plan to your original Medicare or opt for a private insurance company if you want to get prescription coverage. For hormone treatment, you should consider the Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) or Part D Prescription Drug Plan.
With health insurance, the out-of-pocket expense for hormone treatment can range from $5 - $30 per month, as a form of copay. This could still change, depending on the form of hormones you’ll take:
Read more: How Does Hormone Replacement Therapy Benefit a Woman Going Through Menopause
As a patient dealing with the symptoms of hormonal imbalance, it can already be stressful enough -- even before you even think about payments and insurance coverage. Here are a few tips to help you lower your hormone replacement therapy costs:
Undergoing hormone replacement therapy is a long-term medical procedure that can be demanding for a patient. At RevitalizeYou MD, we understand how important it is to keep costs down and quality high. Let our certified and licensed medical staff help you address your physiological needs and alleviate uncomfortable symptoms. Contact us today to learn more about our services.
If you’re a 40-something woman, you probably considered getting Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) to help ease the symptoms that come with menopause. You’re not alone in this because the number of menopausal women getting prescriptions for estrogen or estrogen combined with progestin has steadily increased through the years. Even with the certain risks that come with getting HRT at a late stage, women are still willing to try the treatment to make the menopausal experience more bearable as her hormone levels shift.
So how does hormone replacement therapy benefit a woman going through menopause? As you get close to having menopause, your ovaries will produce less estrogen and progesterone, the two hormones that play a major role in your monthly cycle. These hormones are instrumental in the health not only of your vagina but also your heart and bones. HRT replaces the hormones that are lost during menopause and can ease the symptoms that come with it.
Menopause is a commonly used term to describe the physical changes that happen to a woman’s body either before or after she stops having her monthly periods. It is usually between ages 45 and 55. However, loss of estrogen can happen earlier if a woman can go through early menopause or if she had had her ovaries removed surgically.
The ovaries gradually produce less estrogen as menopause approaches, which causes the menstrual cycle changes and other physical ones. Hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal discomfort (dryness and thinning of vaginal walls), and emotional changes are the most common symptoms of menopause.
This stage is technically the end of a woman’s reproductive cycle, in which her ovaries are no longer producing eggs and she is on her last menstrual cycle. When a woman has not had her period for 6 to 12 consecutive months, that’s when the doctor can confirm menopause diagnosis.
A woman may experience the following uncomfortable symptoms as she enters perimenopause, which is the period leading up to menopause.
The frequency and intensity of these symptoms will vary for each woman. A lot will have a more difficult time dealing with these symptoms so it’s understandable why HRT has become more popular because the treatment provides relief for these signs of discomfort.
HRT, also known as menopausal hormone therapy, is a popular option for women to manage the discomfort brought on by menopause symptoms. Its main purpose is to balance the body’s estrogen and progesterone levels during the perimenopausal period and beyond. HRT produces dramatic results in easing the discomfort of sweating and hot flashes.
There are two types of HRT - estrogen therapy and combination therapy.
Systemic estrogen is the most effective treatment for night sweats and hot flashes, two of the most common complaints among women who are about to undergo menopause. ERT comes in various forms: pill, cream, gel, vaginal ring, skin patch, and spray form. These are an immense help when it comes to vaginal symptoms of menopause, such as dryness, itching, burning, and discomfort during intercourse.
ERT such as conjugated equine estrogen is recommended for patients who have had either hysterectomy, which is the surgical removal of the uterus, or bilateral oophorectomy, which also removes the ovaries.
Tablets are usually taken once a day on an empty stomach but the dosage can be increased if needed. Skin patches are placed in the abdominal area and have to be replaced every few days. Although some patches don’t really do anything for menopause symptoms, it is widely used to decrease the risk of having osteoporosis.
Creams, gels, and sprays - these are topical estrogens. It’s meant to be absorbed and released into the bloodstream and usually applied on the arm, shoulder, or legs, depending on the brand and dosage. Vaginal estrogen is mostly for those who are experiencing vaginal discomforts, such as dryness, itching, or pain during sex. Creams can be applied directly into the vagina while vaginal rings have to be replaced every three months.
This therapy combines estrogen and progestin, which is the hormone progesterone made in the laboratory. This HRT type is for patients who still have their uterus intact. It’s known to lessen the risk of developing endometrial cancer while alleviating menopausal discomfort. It’s also taken in various ways.
Read more: How Long Should a Woman Be On Hormone Replacement Therapy?
HRT is designed to lessen the physical effect of hormone imbalance brought on by menopause on a woman’s body and improve her overall disposition as well. It’s recommended for those who stopped having their periods before the age of 40 or those who are experiencing moderate to severe menopausal discomforts. The advantages of taking HRT include:
For postmenopausal women, taking HRT can increase the elasticity of blood vessels, decrease the risk of fractures and osteoporosis, possible improvement of glucose levels, improved short-term menopause symptoms (hot flashes, mood swings, dry skin, vaginal dryness, insomnia, and irritable bowel.
According to studies, estrogen level affects almost every organ or tissue in the body, including the blood vessels and the heart. Its positive effects on the cardiovascular system include increasing good cholesterol and decreasing the bad one, relaxing and dilating blood vessels to increase blood flow, and soaking up free radicals that can damage your arteries and other tissues.
It’s not fair to describe HRT as safe or unsafe because its effects will depend on the type of hormone used on the patient, the form used (whether it’s pills, gels, or patches), and when it was first used (around menopause or beyond). There are other factors that determine the safety of menopausal hormones, such as the patient’s body mass index. Simply put, HRT is not a one-size-fits-all kind of treatment. It’s up to the patient if the benefits of HRT will outweigh the potential risks involved.
Most doctors agree that the treatment is beneficial for menopausal symptoms. Sure, there are other alternatives, which are non-hormonal - diet, exercise, prescription drugs, anti-depressants, and even herbal remedies. But none of these can deliver what HRT can in terms of controlling symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats. For a lot of women, HRT actually transformed their lives and contributed to their overall well-being.
It’s also important to point out the benefits of HRT beyond easing the symptoms of menopause. Improving bone health and bone density is a major one. An aging menopausal woman is more prone to osteoporosis, which makes them more vulnerable to fractures. This should be emphasized since these bone conditions become more common as women age and can be very debilitating.
Just like any other medical therapy, HRT comes with its own set of health risks. It is said to increase the risk of having breast cancer (when taken long-term), cardiovascular disease, inflammatory markers, blood clots and stroke, and endometrial cancer for those who are taking just estrogen therapy, without progestin. This is why doctors strictly monitor patients who are under HRT and recommend that they undergo breast examination and mammogram at least once a year, especially those who are over 50 years old.
When it comes to side effects, the ones related to HRT are mostly mild and do not require the patient to stop the treatment. These side effects include fluid retention, breast tenderness, and mood swings. When this happens, the doctor can adjust the dosage or change the type of estrogen and/or progestin being taken. A patient who still has her uterus and takes progestin will likely experience monthly vaginal bleeding.
There are certain women who should seek other alternatives as HRT can do them more harm than good. Women who have a history of stroke or heart attack, those with unexplained vaginal bleeding, or those considered high risk or had a history of blood clots and venous thromboembolism are not recommended to take HRT. The same goes for women with past or active breast cancer, fibrocystic breast disease, liver and gallbladder disease, and endometrial cancer.
Read more: Which Side Effects Are Most Common Among Women Taking Hormone Replacement Therapy for Menopause?
Taking into consideration the studies showing the benefits and risks of taking HRT when it comes to heart disease, the U.S. Food And Drug Administration, and the American Heart Association created helpful guidelines to make sure that taking HRT will be as safe as possible for patients.
First, HRT should not be used primarily for preventing stroke or heart attack. Long-term use should be weighed very carefully in order to avoid risks involving stroke and heart attack, as well as breast cancer risk. The same is applied for using HRT for preventing osteoporosis. Doctors should recommend other options if the patient has coronary artery disease.
If you’re cleared to take HRT, you can lower your chances of having problems by taking the treatment within 10 years of menopause or before you turn 60. Doctors will always go for taking the lowest dose that is effective for you for the shortest possible time, as long-term treatment is mostly discouraged. If you still have your uterus, you should take progestin or progesterone. You should also take mammograms and pelvic exams regularly.
Taking the hormones in forms other than pills can increase safety. Ask your doctor if you can get it in gels, patches, creams, mists, vaginal rings, and vaginal suppositories.
As more studies are being made, eventually the risk factors of HRT on other possible diseases such as ovarian cancer, colorectal cancer, and uterine cancer will be cleared up.
Whether you’re cleared or not to take bioidentical hormones, it’s important to take steps to lower your risk of having heart disease. Quitting smoking, losing weight, and regular exercise are the top things to do for this purpose. Efforts should be made to maintain ideal body weight and do aerobic exercises 3 to 5 times a week, for 30-40 minutes each time. This should be followed by a diet of low saturated fat and trans fat and high in fiber.
Existing conditions of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes should be treated or at least controlled because these are known risk factors for heart disease.
If you’re looking for a facility where you can get the safest bioidentical hormone replacement therapy in Georgia and nearby areas, why not visit Revitalize You MD in Roswell and Alpharetta? They offer hormone therapies for both men and women for issues such as hormonal imbalance to low testosterone levels. Call now and know your best options for HRT treatments.
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