Welcome again to Balls Deep! In this episode, Dr. Joe Pazona and Brooke Fought continue their discussion on menopause and aim to provide answers about if HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) that women usually have to assist themselves through the often vigorous symptoms of menopause is safe.
What is Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)?
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is an effective treatment that is used to provide hormones that a woman stops producing during menopause. The way Dr. Joe and Brooke illustrate, the most affected part of the body after menopause is the production of sex hormones, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. We know that HRT can sound scary, but Dr. Joe and Brooke can explain it in simpler terms. They explain that there are hormones that cut across all human beings and, biologically, people cannot be opposed to those. The trick is how to get a useful program for every lady.
Menopause: Resolve Not To Suffer In Silence
The fact of this episode that stands out the most is to renew your confidence that suffering through menopause is not a process you have to undergo. It is a phase where a lot of women experience things like hot flashes, night sweats, dryness of the vagina, and even changes in their thinking abilities. More often for these patients, if not all, these symptoms have been neglected or accepted with a stiff upper lip, which can lead to devasting consequences such as early death. The target is to find out the treatment options, including HRT or nondiscriminatory therapies.
Will They Give You Hormones Instantly?
One of the key concerns captured in the discussion is the issue of how safe HRT is. The short answer is: yes, for most women it can be safe and very effective. Brooke says that the safety of HRT depends on factors like the kind of hormones delivered, when treatment is commenced, and the risk profile of the patient.
For instance, starting HRT within approximately 10 years of menopause is believed to be safer in reducing risk factors like heart attacks and strokes, but interestingly enough, also reducing the use of estrogen for preventing osteoporosis. But what if you’re past that 10-year mark? Brooke mentions that for women further along in menopause, localized treatments may be more appropriate for them instead.
Systemic vs. Localized HRT Introduction
Joe and Brooke have classified HRT into two basic categories: systemic and localized. The term systemic denotes that which goes throughout the body and is often referred to in abandoned hormonal treatment for broader menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and perspiring at night. Localized HRT, however, is more surgical since it is limited to the tissues that show a clear menopausal change, like dryness of vagina. In this case, a ‘vaginal estrogen cream’ used to deliver estrogen through the vagina.
One of the most misunderstood treatments discussed in the episode is vaginal estrogen cream. To clarify this rather undemocratic stand, Brooke brings in a very illustrative example: "You can’t say to a woman that she cannot use vaginal estrogen cream because it is dangerous. It is like saying to a drunk man that he cannot have an alcohol swab or else, he gets drunk." In other words, vaginal estrogen cream is totally safe and works locally and not systemically, which increases chances of diseases like breast cancer or heart ailments.
What About the Risks of HRT?
For a good number of women, the concept of HRT also associates with some women’s worst enemies: breast cancer and, in some women, blood clots. Brooke and Dr. Joe are here to set the record straight.
Breast Cancer: It is from Brooke’s insight that HRT and breast cancer have a link which the WHI study established that investigators misunderstood when it was first published two decades ago. While there is no argument that the last decade and a half has seen great advancement in terms of the quality of HRT methods available today, the type of hormones in the WHI trial, which is synthetic estrogen and progestin, is not available in most of the HRT treatments today, which are considered to be safer. Further, for mild breast cancer high-risk females, there are occasions when the use of HRT is appreciably more advantageous than unhealthy.
Blood Clots & Heart Disease: It is mostly the use of estrogen in oral forms that is associated with the risk of developing blood clots and cardiovascular events, as oral estrogen is hepatically metabolized. This metabolism may lead to higher levels of clotting factors in the blood which predispose to clot formation.
In contrast, such forms as patches or gels do not go through the liver, and therefore the risk is considerably decreased. When and how you start HRT is important too. For example, the American menopausal society says that women who start HRT within the first 10 years since their menopause usually are safer compared to those who delay doing so.
Testosterone for Women: Still a War
Another significant point of concern that Brooke emphasizes is the unavailability of FDA-approved testosterone replacement therapy options for women. Despite many who have done research on testosterone and its effectiveness on especially woman, libido and energy have not been made available in a standardized form to women patients. The podcast extends on the perplexing prejudice in the medical industry that men have no restraints for obtaining aids such as Viagra. On the other hand, health for women especially sexual health encases stagnation.
Key Takeaways
HRT is acceptable to most women, especially those who are not more than 10 years past the menopausal stage.
There are no dangers associated with the vaginal estrogen cream, and it offers a good remedy in many cases where the woman has local problems like vaginal dryness.
HRT is a procedure that requires selective treatment of individuals. A formula that fits all does not apply here — it places relevance to the individual expectations, risks, and health status.
The treatment of women with testosterone as it stands now, indeed is quite real. However, even though the product has not received approval from the FDA, there are still ways out of the mud.
Conclusion
Hormone replacement therapy is quite effective in treating symptoms arising from menopause. However, like other clinical approaches, it must be undertaken under the supervision of a qualified professional whom you can trust with the specifics of your health. There is absolutely no reason to suffer in silence. As you go through menopause, you should have a well-rounded and individualized strategy to your health, and well-being.
To learn more about HRT, as well as HRT benefits, visit our website.
Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for informational purposes as for your information only and does not take the place of professional medical care. All medical conditions should be operated upon with the help of a doctor or a health professional.
