When to Consider Hormone Replacement Therapy for Menopausal Symptoms

If you’re in your late 40s or turning 50 and your periods are starting to become irregular, menopause may be happening soon. The average age for menopause is 52. It’s complete when you haven’t had a period for a year. 

You may sail through menopause with hardly any issues, but you may also experience a number of symptoms that can interfere with your work, social, and sex life. Our board-certified nurse practitioners with Her Down There specialize in women’s health. We have answers for you if hormonal changes in menopause throw your world out of order. 

Common menopausal symptoms 

Your body undergoes a significant hormonal change in menopause. The level of estrogen, which plays a starring role in female reproduction, drops precipitously as you enter this stage of life. 

Sudden hormonal changes create a hormonal imbalance in your body, which can affect your physical and mental health. The following symptoms are common during menopause: 

• Missed or irregular periods
• Vaginal dryness
• Painful intercourse
• Hot flashes
• Chills
• Night sweats
• Insomnia 
• Mood changes: irritability or anxiety 
• Weight gain 
• Thinning hair 
• Dry skin
• Sagging breasts 
• Decreased libido

Lifestyle changes that can help with menopause symptoms

A majority of women experience hot flashes and/or night sweats during menopause. Alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods can worsen these symptoms. All of them can raise your body temperature, making your blood vessels dilate and prompting your body to sweat. To maintain comfort, dress in layers during the day and try using a fan in your bedroom at night. 

Alcohol and caffeine can also disrupt sleep. Try cutting back on these triggers to ease symptoms and sleep better. 

If intercourse is painful, you want to avoid it. Try using a vaginal moisturizer and a lubricant before intercourse to keep your intimate life on track. 

You may notice a weight gain as you begin menopause.  You lose muscle mass as you age. It’s more important than ever to develop a regular exercise routine and eat a healthy diet. To help maintain muscle and minimize fat, be sure your exercise time includes resistance training. 

You’ll feel and look better. 

When to consider hormone replacement therapy 

Sometimes, natural remedies aren’t enough to ease severe menopause symptoms. Having a couple of hot flashes during the day is one thing, but being drenched with sweat every half hour is another. 

Perhaps your sleep is disrupted. You have insomnia on an ongoing basis. Poor sleep can affect all aspects of your life. Your mental and physical health may suffer. 

If vaginal lubricants don’t ease painful intercourse, it likely impacts your relationship with your significant other. 

All of these are reasons to consider hormone replacement therapy (HRT). We provide HRT that brings your hormones back into balance. We replace some of your estrogen or estrogen and progesterone. You start feeling like yourself again. 

HRT isn’t meant to be a long-term solution. It helps your body recalibrate as it adjusts to menopause. 

Call or message Her Down There today to schedule an appointment for compassionate treatment of all aspects of female health. We have offices in Houston and Arlington, Texas.