(HealthNewsDigest) – Hormone replacement therapy is continuously being used for the treatment of various conditions and their respective symptoms. Hormone therapy has many benefits to a patient when administered the right way by an experienced therapist. The type of therapy chosen for a patient varies depending on their age, medical history, and lifestyle. However, there are also risks associated with the treatment methods. The risks developed by a patient depend on the dosage, type of therapy administered, and period in which the medication has been used.
The age of the patient determines the extent of the risks. Administration of HRT to women 60 years and above poses a greater risk. Even though hormone therapy is beneficial to the elderly in many ways, starting the therapy at an extremely old age can be an added disadvantage compared to therapy at early ages of up to 52 years. Some cases have occurred when the therapy increases the chances of death other than cure and longevity of life due to an increase in vulnerability to chronic diseases for example heart diseases that lead to death.
The level of dosage of hormones also determines the risk levels. Overdosing on hormone replacement drugs can have adverse effects on the patient. The extreme decline of hormone levels is also dangerous to the body’s functioning. It is always advisable to use the lowest effective dosage appropriate for a patient’s condition since even very low dosages of HRT drugs show protective effects. Research has shown that low doses work as effectively as conventional doses and decreases bone and tissue circulation markers turnover.
The type of HRT dictates the side effects likely to result. General minor effects are headaches, irritability, sleep disruptions, hair loss, skin irritation, nausea, mood changes, and bloating. Most of the effects are mild and easily treatable but some are extreme and may cause death if not taken care of by the medical practitioner. Some of the risks that are likely to appear when undergoing hormone therapy include.
-
Heart disease risks occur when the therapy is done for patients older than 60. Otherwise, it increases the chances of cardiovascular diseases.
-
Ovarian cancer risks are high only during the period of drug use but disappear once the therapy is stopped.
-
Stroke when HRT is administered at 60 years and above. This is more dose-dependent i.e. high doses and low doses and is a result of cardiovascular diseases.
-
Blood clots risks increase when using HRT tablets. The use of gels and patches does not increase the blood clot chances.
-
Breast cancer risks increase depending on the period of drug use. Stopping the usage results in a decrease in breast cancer risk. However, there are hormone therapies that treat breast cancer. The use of a mixture of Estrogen and progesterone hormones increases the risks while bioidentical progesterone hormones have proved not to be associated with breast cancer effects and mortality. Estrogen-only therapy is also effective in the reduction of breast cancer.
There are also risks related to the type of hormone being used in the therapy. The risks resulting from hormone therapy can be controlled and minimized using various strategies. Natural or biosynthetic hormones can be used in the treatment of hormone related issues. However bioidentical hormones are not recommended because there are no research-based evidence and trials that indicate how safe they are, they do not give the best results in the treatment of menopausal symptoms and they are prepared to depend on the levels of hormones in saliva yet there is no evidence showing that saliva levels are related to the symptoms by a patient. Natural hormones are believed to be more efficient and safe since several kinds of research and trials have been done and using them helps in controlling HRT related risks.
Other strategies include using the best product and the most suitable mode of delivery of the hormone. There are several products available in the market and a patient should be keen when selecting them since most are branded as natural but do not assure safety when used. The purity, quality, and type of ingredients used in the manufacture of such drugs may have unpleasant side effects. They can be administered in form of gels, patches, pills, and creams. The dosage should be in small amounts and taken in a short time to be effective in the treatment of symptoms. Regular check-ups are also necessary to ensure that the risks and prevented and dealt with immediately on appearance. The patients should also maintain a healthy lifestyle to ensure the efficiency of the therapy. Lifestyle choices with positive results include a healthy diet, stress management, no smoking, and limited alcohol intake.
The benefits of HRT are greater than the resulting risks. The therapy helps in the treatment and moderation of symptoms that are because of low or high levels of the hormone in the body. They treat and improve a variety of symptoms in both men and women such as mood swings, depression, fatigue, low sex desire, and insomnia. The therapy also treats and prevents the development of chronic conditions such as osteoporosis, dementia, heart disease, and in some cases used in breast cancer treatment.
Improved life quality is one of the major benefits of the HRT process. Other than controlling and treating hence health benefits, HRT leaves a patient feeling more energetic, balanced, and confident to continue with their normal life. Wellness benefits of therapy are nourishing and bring the patient back to track and live an easier and better life. Liv natural health aim at ensuring everyone’s medical needs are attended to using specialized treatments to achieve more benefits after and during the treatment. Treating the root cause of the disease is more effective than the use of symptom relief drugs only. These benefits help patients to achieve an improved quality of life, improved sexual relations, enhanced mood, more energy, improved memory, muscle, motivation, and sleep.
Balancing the benefits and risks related to hormone replacement therapy requires the use of the right hormones, administration of the right amounts of dose, and consulting and getting services from the appropriate and qualified doctor and clinic. These factors when combined with medical advice, frequent check-ups, and healthy life practices help to balance the pros and cons of HRT hence optimal benefits to the patient.