Menopause Therapy - Is The Choice Too Limited?Menopause is commonly treated through Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) which, in studies was found to be more effective in treating hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and night sweats than taking a placebo. The Food and Drug Administration admitted that there is a lack of alternatives to hormone replacement as a major menopause therapy. The agency states that HRT has remains important in the health of women. There are many ways that HRT or hormone replacement therapy is taken. First, it may be taken in its oral pill form which many women find inconvenient and uncomfortable. Studies also suggest that it could possibly not be the best method to take in estrogen. Pills are said to disintegrate in the stomach and may actually be a cause for the body system not to absorb it. However, recent technology has assured menopausal women of a more desirable oral pill in the form of a micronized product in oil base which acts as a protection for the pill not to be dissolved and disintegrated by the acids in ones stomach. Pill dosage is much higher as compared to the cream form to match the necessary percentage or amount excreted by the liver. The digestive system will ultimately determine the dosage that people will need to take of this oral estrogen pill. Another option in administering HRT is through injection. Estradiol cypionate and estradiol valerate are some of the injectable estrogen types which may be taken in by the body at two to four week intervals. This is often opted for by users since studies claim that estrogen is best when it is taken directly and goes directly into the circulation without having to pass through the liver. The only disadvantage of intramuscular injections is the common discomfort that people feel after regular injections. HRT is also taken through a transdermal patch, or a medicated adhesive that is attached to ones abdomen. This method of taking HRT is best recommended to those women who are not qualified to take estrogen orally. Usually worn below the waist and buttocks, the patch releases estrogen through the skin, helped by the alcohol that pushes the hormone through the skin and blood vessels. The patch is changed twice a week. Users prefer this method over others because it releases an even flow of estrogen into the body unlike the other styles of HRT. Through this, as studies show, the patches produce much fewer side-effects and it was even claimed that such patches are good for the bone and the heart. The only drawback is the skin irritant character of many patches. The FDA has overseen the large role played by Hormone Replacement Therapy, however, it has also seen the many drawbacks of it, when it is not properly administered. Common side-effects observed after undergoing HRT are breast tenderness, fluid retention, nausea, and headache. Others include withdrawal bleeds and weight gain. Experts recommend that for persons who would need to take HRT for the purpose of treating hot flashes and vaginal dryness, they may do so in the lowest dose for the shortest duration. The FDA has launched a campaign stating that only those who are adequately tested and expected to be gain more benefits than drawbacks are advised to undergo a course of hormone replacement therapy. The same agency has tightened its regulations in approving HRT products to be sold in the market. |