Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the process by which hormones are replaced to increase their efficiency in an individual. The procedure can also be conducted in elderly individual whose bodies do not produce hormones. HRT is normally given to women whose oestrogen and progesterone decrease significantly because of menopause (Medical News Today, 2014). There are three types of HRT; HRT with only oestrogen which done to women who have had their ovaries and uterus removed since they do not need progesterone because there is no risk of endometrial cancer, cyclical HRT which is for patients who are still menstruating but have menstrual symptoms and finally continuous HRT which used for post menstrual patients by a combination of oestrogen and progesterone.
HRT reduces osteoporosis risk. Osteoporosis is a condition that affects bones causing them to become weak and fragile hence likely to break. HRT helps in balancing bone mineral density hence reducing osteoporosis in the spines and hips (Mayo Clinic Foundation for Medical and Education Research, 2014). There is a decrease in occurrence of fractures of the bones in menopause women due to the combination of oestrogen and progesterone hormones. Therefore, HRT prevents osteoporosis in women with menopausal symptoms who are under the age of 50 yrs.
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HRT assists in the reduction of heart diseases (Mayo Clinic Foundation for Medical and Education Research, 2014). HRT reduces incidences of heart disease by 50% if started within 10 years of menopause (Patient.Co.Uk., 2014). Women who are over 60 years and use HRT have increased risk of coronary heart disease. Normally, women who receive HRT early after menopause have a reduced risk of death without increase in cancer risk or stroke. There is little effect on heart disease in women who receive low doses of HRT within 3 years of their last menstrual cycle.
HRT improves urogenital symptoms in the users. HRT improves vaginal dryness and boosts sexual drive (National Institute of Health, 2014). It has an effect on the bladder and urethral epithelium by reducing frequency of urination in women. Oestrogen is effective in improving urinary symptoms in menopausal women thus the vaginal PH decreases and there is improved epithelial maturation. It also assists in reduction of vasomotor symptoms which are associated with menopause such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Consequently, HRT makes life better and comfortable by improving its quality. It makes one to sleep better for a longer period thus reducing lack of sleep .It reduces muscle pains and aches in menopausal women. One is able to be happy because HRT reduces depression and mood swings.
HRT is likely to lead to stroke among the persistent users. This is common in women taking oestrogen only or combination of oestrogen and progesterone (Medical News Today, 2014). However, these cases are minimal in women aged below 60 yrs. Tibolone hormone increases the risk of stroke in women over 60 years of age. However, transdermal estrogen hormone is associated with a low risk of stroke. The effects of HRT are dose related, so low doses should be given to women who are prone to strokes.
HRT brings about heart diseases .It increases heart diseases, and the risks increase with factors such as age, obesity and smoking. However, such cases are minimal in women below 60 years of age. HRT also leads to cancers such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer and colorectal cancer (Better Health Channel, 2014). Women over 50 years of age who use combined HRT for over 5 years have an increased risk of breast cancer.
HRT is important because it improves the quality of life. One is able to have better sleep without having sleepless nights hence making life better. With HRT, there are less muscle pains and fractures, and there will be no muscle strain. HRT improves moods in women thus reducing depression making one’s life better and happy. HRT is effective in reduction of vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause such as hot flushes and virginal dryness (Patient.Co.Uk., 2014). The symptoms are improved in four weeks of treatment and best works by three months. HRT improves urogenital symptoms of virginal dryness and sexual function. It has an effect on the bladder and urethral epithelium by reducing frequency of urination in women.
I will recommend supplemental hormones to patients with hormonal deficiencies. This is because hormone levels can go down with age thus taking supplemental hormones such as oestrogen for women can boost them greatly. As human bodies become old, melatonin hormone decrease, and this is why many women aged 65 years lack enough sleep a condition known as insomnia. To tackle this problem of insomnia, they need melatonin supplements to have better sleep (Medical News Today, 2014). Prognenolone supplement improves concentration and enhances good memory thus the hormonal supplements boost the fall of hormones in the patient with hormonal deficiencies.
If the clinician does not prescribe Hormone replacement therapy to patients with hormone deficiencies, they will be prone to heart diseases and cancers . The role of progesterone is to help in thickening the womb in preparation for pregnancy (Mayo Clinic Foundation for Medical and Education Research, 2014). If these hormones become low in a patient, she is more likely to have endometrial cancer that affects the uterus. Oestrogen hormone helps to maintain good bone density, skin temperatures and regulation moisture in the vagina (National Institute of Health, 2014). A drop in the hormone levels can cause vaginal dryness in patients and urinary problems such as frequency in urination due to loose bladder more so in women of 60 years and above so the clinician needs to prescribe HRT since oestrogen improves these urinary problems.
The patients are more likely to have insomnia which is lack of sleep at night and this problem affects women aged 65 years because of low oestrogen hormone. The patient has mood swings and she will always look depressed all the time (Medical News Today, 2014). The patients have poor concentration and memory because pregnenolone hormone is low thus these hormone can enhance good memory and concentration. The patient will also have muscle pains and aches thus his life will be full of troubles and its quality deteriorates.
There will be an increase in osteoporosis cases in patients with hormone deficiencies (National Institute of Health, 2014). For instance, almost 25% of women and 15% of men are affected by osteoporosis. According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation report, approximately 80% of the women over 75 years who are affected by the medical condition die (Cree, Juby & Carriere, 2003). This is a condition that affect bones causing them to become weak and fragile hence easy to break. There will be an improper bone density balance thus the bones in the hips and the spine will be weak thus HRT will reduce osteoporosis and improve muscle function. Therefore, patients who have been prescribed HRT have reduced cases of death because they will not be prone to heart diseases, cancers and strokes and it will also cut risks of diabetes by 30% in younger women (Griffin, 2014).
