Menopause and hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

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Posted: Saturday, December 12th, 2020

There are approximately 400,000 women in Ireland and 13 million women in the U.K. transitioning through menopause today and the truth is that no two women will experience the same symptoms or journey. You are unique, equip yourself with information and choose how you want to manage your menopause. Thankfully today no woman needs to suffer in silence, menopause no longer needs to be endured and put up with. Managing symptoms be it naturally or hormonally is lifechanging.

 

This is just an overview of hormonal options contact your G.P. or health care provider to discuss these options. As with all medications ensure you are monitored while taking these hormones.

The 3 hormones most associated with menopause are Oestrogen, Progesterone and Testosterone but our bodies have 40 plus other hormones. Cortisol (stress hormone), Melatonin (sleep hormone), and thyroxine (thyroid hormone) may also become unbalanced during our menopause years.

Estrogen

Available in tablet, patch, gel and now as a spray called Lenzetto.

The estrogen patch, gel and spray are absorbed directly through the skin into the bloodstream, thus bypassing the liver and causing less side effects. If you suffer from migraines the tablet form should not be taken.

Progesterone often referred to as the relaxing hormone.

Available as a Mirena coil, or tablet form.

If you have your womb (Uterus) and decide to take estrogen you will also have to take a type of progesterone to protect the lining of the womb. Taking estrogen alone can increase the thickness of the lining of your womb and increase the risk of cells becoming cancerous. Progesterone ensures there is a balance reducing the thickening effect. If you no longer have a womb or ovaries estrogen only HRT is prescribed.

Tablet form is a micronized progesterone or utrogestan.

The coil is the Mirena coil replaced every 5 years.

Combined patches containing both estrogen and progesterone are also available.

 

Testosterone

Constant fatigue and lack of libido are some of the symptoms that may require testosterone replacement along with estrogen and progesterone.

A testosterone blood test should be undertaken before testosterone replacement is started as it is useful to know what the baseline levels are in the body before starting treatment.

Available in gel or cream format.

HRT is also associated with reducing osteoporosis and cardiac disease.

Most health benefits from taking HRT are in women who start HRT within 10 years of their menopause.

Again it is important to discuss all of the above options with your health care provider. If  you find one type of HRT does not suit, discuss a different option, remember you are unique what works for your sister, or friend may not work for you. It can often take up to 12 weeks for our bodies to adjust. The benefits of HRT have to be balanced against the risks. You decide what is right for you.

Two great websites to check out

Dr Louise Newson and team at

www.mymenopausedoctor.co.uk

www.megsmenopause.co.uk

 

 

 

What women are saying

  • Now that I have the knowledge, language and confidence to speak openly about menopause, it changes everything

    Angie Co. Cork

  • I would recommend the Midlife Women Rock Cafe because it's a reliable, well-researched source for information on Menopause matters, but more importantly, understands it from the Women's perspective as it's women talking to women.

    MaryCareer in Transition, Co Meath

  • Breeda is a research-based intellectual talent on menopause and an engaging speaker. Starting conversations around a taboo subject is not easy, it takes a lot of courage.

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  • If you want to get to understand and learn everything you need to know about menopause, Sign up for the empowering women menopause course. This 6-week course was life-changing for me.

    Niamh - Limerick

  • I highly recommend this 6-week course to any woman wanting to understand menopause and themselves. I personally found it brilliant. It gave me back my confidence in myself. I met a group of open-minded women. There is nowhere women can go to talk with other women about this time in our lives. I have learned not to let menopause define me. I always had thought of it negatively, would never have seen it as a time to open up to new possibilities and opportunities. Breeda covers everything you need to know over the 6 weeks.”

    Anna

  • This programme has helped me become more relaxed and empowered around menopause. I have a great GP and am taking HRT. It’s the information sharing with a group of like-minded women that is very powerful at this time of my life. The course was shared by Breeda in a fun and light-hearted way which reduces any stress or anxiety that one may have. I now have a better understanding of myself with lots of strategies to manage symptoms and would highly recommend this course.”

    Jennifer

  • I would highly recommend this 6-week course. I received so much support from Breeda and the group. It gave me the confidence to move forward. I learned about the physical, mental and spiritual changes that occur during menopause and it all made so much sense. My relationship with myself has grown and I understand so much more now. I feel positive and very optimistic about the future.

    Sinead

  • Attending this 6 week course was a hugely empowering experience. knowledge and education is certainly power. Meeting other women all in the same phase of life supporting one another was fantastic. I learned I have the power and strength to tackle, control and handle my menopause journey my way. I would hghly recommend this course so much. It has enabked me to move forward.

    Gay

  • Before I met Breeda and started this course, I never had a serious conversation about menopause with anyone. I had very little knowledge about menopause. It is either an embarrassing or a comical subject for conversation. Attending the cafes and 6-week course has been life changing. I now know so much more about menopause and understand myself so much better. I have become more pro-active with my health and am looking forward to the next phase of my life. Every woman deserves this information.

    Elaine

  • Breeda has a great way of imparting information. I really enjoyed the 6-week programme and would highly recommend it to any woman who may be curious about what menopause is really all about.

    Ger