Hormone Replacement TherapyInformation On HRTHormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a treatment for women who have reached or passed menopause, which often is referred to as "the change of life." HRT involves taking small doses of one or two female hormones, estrogen and progesterone. Produced naturally by the ovaries, estrogen and progesterone production gradually slows down and eventually stops (menopause) around the age of 50. Both hormones are needed for the proper functioning of the reproductive system. Estrogen has many other important roles in the body as well. Watch these couple of videos as a starter for your own research Some undesirable changes can accompany menopause: Menopause can be accompanied by troublesome symptoms, such as hot flashes and sleep disturbances, and vaginal dryness. It may raise a woman's risk for serious health problems, such as heart disease and stroke, as well as bone loss that can lead to osteoporosis and fractures. Hormone replacement therapy, is one of the most common treatments prescribed, and is designed to replace the estrogen hormone that the natural aging process ceases. While HRT has been proven to ease symptoms of menopause and protect against menopause-related health risk; recent research has raised concerns about whether it creates other health risks. This remains an area of considerable debate and ongoing research within the medical community. Although millions of women take HRT, this may not be the right choice for everyone. Health care professionals advise women to gather as much information as they can and consider the personal benefits and risks. Disclaimer: the opinions expressed in these or any videos on this site are not posited as the only expert opinion that you can heed. Dangers of Bioidentical Hormones & Estrogen Replacement Therapy Interesting Factoid: The ovaries are the only organs in the human body that are programmed to stop functioning during life. Return to Women and Hormones from Hormone Replacement Therapy
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