Why do women choose HRT?
In this article, we will discuss menopause and a few reasons why HRT can help, as well as does HRT make you look younger?
HRT can be highly beneficial for many women during menopause, but did you know that it can also help make you look younger? When women reach menopause, their oestrogen levels drop, and they can start to experience several symptoms, such as hot flushes, night sweats, and mood swings. While some women choose to just deal with these symptoms, others may decide to undergo hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in order to lessen their effects.
What Is Menopause?
Menopause is a natural process that occurs when a woman’s ovaries cease to produce eggs (older men can also experience a similar but less intense drop off of hormones in later life called andropause).
On average, menopause begins at the age of 51, but it can happen earlier or later depending on individual circumstances. [1] The most common symptom of menopause is hot flushes, which are sudden bouts of intense heat that can cause sweating and palpitations. [2]
Other symptoms include:
- Night sweats
- Vaginal dryness
- Sleep disturbances
- Mood swings
- Weight gain
What Is HRT?
Hormone Replacement Therapy is a treatment used to relieve symptoms of menopause. It involves taking hormones similar to the ones produced naturally by the ovaries. [3]
The most common type of HRT uses a combination of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone. Oestrogen helps to relieve symptoms such as hot flushes and vaginal dryness. Progesterone helps to reduce the risk of uterine cancer. HRT can be taken in pill form, as a skin patch, or as a vaginal cream or gel. It is usually taken for several years, although some women take it for only a short time.
Does HRT Make You Look Younger?
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help combat the effects of ageing by replenishing the body’s levels of hormones such as oestrogen and progesterone.
Low hormone levels can cause some age-related changes, such as:
- Wrinkles
- Thinning skin
- Reduced muscle mass
By restoring youthful hormone levels, HRT can help to improve your appearance and make you look and feel younger. In addition, therapy can also help reduce the risk of age-related diseases such as osteoporosis and heart disease. As a result, it can provide a wide range of benefits for older adults. If you are considering HRT, be sure to talk to your doctor about the potential risks and benefits.
Associated Side Effects
There are some potential side effects associated with therapy. These can include:
- Breast tenderness
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Weight gain
In addition, HRT may slightly increase the risk of blood clots, stroke, and certain types of cancer. [4] It is crucial to speak with a doctor to discuss the potential risks and benefits of any treatment.
Can Hormone Replacement Therapy Reverse Ageing?
Does HRT make you look younger? In some ways, yes, but the ageing process is something that everyone must go through. As we age, our bodies change, and we may not be able to do the things we could do when we were younger. We may also start to look different, as our skin loses elasticity and we may develop wrinkles.
Some people believe that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can reverse the ageing process, but the truth is nothing can reverse the ageing process. However, HRT can make you look younger by improving skin elasticity and increasing collagen production, which can help reduce wrinkles and fine lines. [5]
It can also help improve your muscle mass and bone density, which can help you stay active and independent as you age. While HRT cannot reverse the ageing process, it can help you to age gracefully and maintain your health as you get older.
How Do You Know If HRT Is Right For You?
Health care providers use a variety of factors to determine whether hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is suitable for a menopausal woman. These can include the woman’s age, medical history, symptoms, and lifestyle.
For example, HRT may be recommended for a younger woman experiencing severe hot flushes and night sweats. However, it may not be appropriate for an older woman at increased risk for heart disease or stroke.
In addition, a woman’s personal preferences must be taken into account when making a decision about HRT. Some women are uncomfortable with the idea of taking hormones, while others may be concerned about the potential side effects. Ultimately, the decision about whether to use HRT should be made by the woman in consultation with her health care provider.
Where Can I Order HRT Treatment For Menopause?
Treatment options are available to help ease these symptoms, and E-Surgery is committed to providing convenient access to menopause treatments. Evorel patches are a popular HRT treatment for menopause and are available to buy from e-Surgery.
They work by releasing a continual dose of oestrogen through the skin into the bloodstream, helping to reduce menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats and vaginal dryness.
If you’re experiencing any menopausal symptoms and would like to know more about treatment options, ask-a-pharmacist on e-Surgery today.
Sources
- Menopause Average Age | NHS UK
- Menopause Symptoms | NHS UK
- Hormone-replacement therapy: current thinking | NCBI
- HRT Side Effects | Healthline
- Effect of estrogens on skin aging and the potential role of SERMs | NCBI
