Hormone replacement consists of taking synthetic hormones, for a short period of time, to reduce or stop the effects of menopause, such as hot flashes, sudden sweats, reduced bone density or urinary incontinence, for example.
However, despite having benefits in relieving the first symptoms of menopause, hormone replacement therapy can present some risks and contraindications.
Who should not do the treatment
In some cases, the benefits of hormone replacement treatment do not outweigh the risks and, therefore, treatment should not be carried out. Thus, this treatment is contraindicated in the following situations:
- Liver and biliary disease; Breast cancer; Endometrial cancer; Porphyria; Abnormal genital bleeding of unknown cause; Venous thrombotic or thromboembolic disease; Systemic lupus erythematosus; Coronary disease.
Women who have been diagnosed with these diseases cannot undergo hormone replacement therapy, due to the risk of increasing the severity of these diseases. However, in most cases, they can resort to natural hormone replacement therapy to relieve some menopausal discomfort.
Soy and its derivatives are great options for making hormone replacement naturally, which can be used by most women, without great restrictions. See more examples of natural treatments for menopause and learn more about natural hormone replacement.
Caring for
Women who smoke, suffer from hypertension, diabetes or dyslipidemia, should be careful with the use of hormones. These situations deserve some attention on the part of the doctor, as the drugs used in hormone replacement therapy can bring risks to the patient.
When to start and when to stop
According to several studies, hormone replacement therapy should be administered early, in perimenopause, between 50 and 59 years of age. However, women over 60 should not start this treatment, as it can be harmful to their health.
Also watch the following video and learn more about what to do to have a more relaxed menopause:
