Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) replaces two female hormones that a woman’s body is no longer producing due to menopause. These hormones are: oestrogen: the oestrogen used in HRT is taken from plants or from the urine of pregnant horses progesterone: HRT uses a synthetic version of progesterone called progestogen because it is easier for the body to absorb While there are more than 60 different preparations of HRT, the three main types are discussed below. Oestrogen-only HRT Oestrogen-only HRT is usually recommended for women who have had their womb and ovaries removed during a hysterectomy. There is no need to take progestogen because there is no risk of endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of the womb). Cyclical HRT Cyclical HRT, also known as sequential HRT, is often recommended for women who have menopausal symptoms but still have their periods. There are two types of cyclical HRT: monthly HRT: where you take oestrogen every day and progestogen at the end of your menstrual cycle for 14 days three-monthly HRT: where you take oestrogen every day and progestogen for 14 days, every 13 weeks Monthly HRT is usually recommended for women having regular periods. You will continue to have monthly periods until the menopause causes them to stop. Three-monthly HRT is usually recommended for women experiencing irregular periods. You should have a period every three months. It is useful to maintain regular periods so you know when your periods naturally stop and when you are likely to progress to the last stage of the menopause. In some cases a woman using cyclical HRT may continue having periods after the menopause (when she is post-menopausal). Continuous combined HRT Continuous combined HRT is usually recommended for women who are post-menopausal. A woman is usually said to be post-menopausal if she has not had a period for a year. As the name suggests, continuous HRT involves taking oestrogen and progestogen every day without a break.
Posted on: Sun, 11 May 2014 15:11:09 +0000
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