When Women Should Consider HRT for Menopause Symptoms

Often when people think of menopause, they envision the classic complaint of hot flashes, but this life transition can include many other symptoms — and they can last for years. Fortunately, for women who are struggling, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help.

Our experienced providers at The Healthy Woman offer personalized care for women through all stages of life. Whether the issue is perimenopause or menopause or a chronic health problem, our OB/GYN and primary care practitioners take the time to listen to our patients and create customized treatment plans to address health concerns.

This month, we delve into the body’s decline in sex hormones before, during, and after menopause and when you should consider HRT.

Perimenopause and menopause

A woman reaches menopause after having no periods for 12 consecutive months. It occurs on average at age 52 and means she can no longer have children.

Perimenopause is the time before menopause that typically starts in a woman's 40s — when the amount of estrogen produced by the ovaries decreases and hormones fluctuate more. It can last for a few months or for years.

Both stages can arrive with symptoms that can be uncomfortable and challenging to navigate. The average length of menopause symptoms is seven years, but some women can suffer for up to 10.

Complaints and their severity vary by individual but often include irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, an urgent need to urinate, headaches, and joint and muscle pain. Insomnia can also occur as well as brain fog, difficulty concentrating, and emotional changes.

Hormone replacement therapy

HRT involves taking estrogen and, for women who still have a uterus, progestin. You have several options to choose from — as a pill, skin patch, topical medications, injections, or pellets implanted under the skin.

Taking hormones that replicate ovarian hormones can help reduce or relieve uncomfortable symptoms that affect multiple body systems. It also can provide protection against osteoporosis and decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

When to consider HRT

Women might choose HRT if they’re struggling with bothersome symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal and bladder issues, and moodiness. Women who’ve reached menopause as well as those in perimenopause can take advantage of HRT to achieve a hormone balance when these changes in your body are affecting your quality of life.

It’s best to begin treatment before age 60 or within 10 years of menopause.

Women whose ovaries stopped working prior to age 40 or who went through menopause or had their ovaries removed before age 45 should consider HRT to reduce the chances of future health problems such as osteoporosis, heart disease, and dementia due to losing estrogen's protective effects at a younger age than average.

Partner with our healthcare team

Deciding whether and when to start HRT is a decision best made by a woman in consultation with her doctor. The medical professionals at The Healthy Woman can help you weigh the pros and cons, keeping in mind your particular situation regarding medical history, family history, and quality of life.

Our team can partner with you to ensure that your hormones are optimized and that you're feeling your best. Call us at 770-809-1100 or request an appointment online today. With OB/GYN offices located in Snellville and Lawrenceville, Georgia, and primary care practices in Atlanta, Lawrenceville, and Newnan, Georgia, getting care has never been easier or more convenient.