Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a form of treatment that can effectively relieve the symptoms of the menopause. Women tend to experience the menopause during their late 40s or 50s, although this can vary. The menopause is caused by a significant decrease in the production of the female sex hormones, oestrogen and progesterone. This can cause multiple uncomfortable symptoms, such as mood swings, night sweats, sleeping difficulties and hot flushes. HRT treatments are used to replace these hormones to maintain a balance and to alleviate the symptoms associated with the menopause. This will help to make the menopause a far more comfortable experience without any significant physical or emotional changes.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) works by replenishing levels of oestrogen (female sex hormone) in the body. Also, some HRT treatments can include progesterone, which is used to aid endometrial health.

The use of oestrogen in HRT

Oestrogen is an extremely important hormone in the female body and is responsible for regulating many processes, which is why a significant drop in oestrogen production has such an effect on the body. Oestrogen supplements not only reduce the severity of menopause symptoms, but can also reduce a woman's risk of osteoporosis, which often increases as a result of menopause.

Most HRT medications contain conjugated oestrogen, which is very similar to the type of oestrogen found inside the female body. Conjugated oestrogen or estradiol is most often used on its own or in combination with progestogen. Tibolone is a type of steroid that acts in a similar way to oestrogen, progestogen and testosterone and is also occasionally used.

The use of progestogen in HRT

Progestogen itself doesn't help with menopause symptoms, but progestogen is recommended alongside oestrogen HRT treatments to lower a patient's risk of endometrial cancer. Progestogen also drops during menopause and therefore can't work to the same extent to promote womb health as it did before.

Progestogen can come in the form of norethisterone acetate, which can either be taken alongside oestrogen during the entire month's course or only part of it, so that it's more naturally aligned to your cycle.

The menopause is something that all women will experience at some point during their lives. Initial signs of the menopause will surface months in advance. This period is referred to as the 'perimenopause'. Symptoms will then continue for up to four years, although one in ten women may experience symptoms for up to 12 years, according to the NHS. Listed below are the symptoms associated with the menopause:

• Night sweats
• Mood swings
• Anxiety
• Hot flushes
• Painful joints
• Heart palpitations
• Reduced sex drive
• Sleeping difficulties
• Headaches
• Reduced muscle mass
• Vaginal dryness
• Memory / concentration problems

There is a wide range of treatments available to suit most women who require HRT treatment. These treatments are used in the form of a tablet or patch and can contain estradiol, conjugated oestrogen and tibolone.

There are a number of different types of medication used for HRT that all aim to improve oestrogen levels. Some contain conjugated oestrogens, tibolone or estradiol only, while others have some conjugated oestrogen and estradiol combined with artificial progestogen. Some of the most widely prescribed HRT medications available include:

• Elleste Solo and Solo MX (estradiol only)
• Elleste Duet and Duet Conti (estradiol and progestogen)
• Evorel (estradiol)
• Evorel Sequi (estradiol and progestogen)
• Evorel Conti (estradiol and progestogen)
• Kliovance (estradiol and progestogen)
• Livial (tibolone)
• Premarin (conjugated oestrogens only)
• Premique and Premique Low Dose (conjugated oestrogens and progestogen)
• Prempak C (conjugated oestrogens and progestogen)

Using HRT isn't always ideal because it contains high levels of hormones, but many women benefit greatly from using these types of treatments, particularly if their symptoms are making them very uncomfortable. There is an increased risk of certain types of cancers, thromboembolism, stroke and heart disease, but this is why a doctor will carefully monitor any patient on HRT to make sure that they are always getting the best out of their treatment, without it placing their health at risk.

The menopause is something that all women will experience at some point during their lives. However, the menopause doesn't have to be an uncomfortable and strenuous experience. Highly effective and HRT medications can alleviate the symptoms of menopause, including hot flushes, mood swings, night sweats, headaches and anxiety. The HRT treatments that we have available to buy at OnlineClinic include Evorel, Kliovance, Livial, Premarin, Prempak C, Premique, Elleste Solo MX, Evorel Sequi, Evorel Conti and Elleste.

To order any of these treatments in the UK we ask that you complete a confidential online consultation when you place this order. This is completely free and forms part of the ordering process, so shouldn't take more than just a few minutes. For more information please visit the product pages for each of the medications mentioned above.