The average age of menopause for most women in Singapore is about 49 to 50 years of age. It is during this time frame that the monthly periods become unpredictable or gradually stop completely. And unfortunately, when this happens, women’s bodies can change in a number of different ways. For some women, the symptoms linked to menopause are mild enough that no additional aid is required.
Or, on the other hand, some women may suffer from bouts of night sweats, hot flashes during different parts of the day, palpitations, or sleepiness. Or, some women may even want or need hormone replacement therapy to help them to better these problems. This is especially true if women are experiencing a variety of different mental and physical symptoms including the following:
- Depression
- Irritability
- Tiredness
- Loss of Libido
- Loss of Memory
- Lack of Concentration
- Bone Pain
- Skin changes
- Bladder Problems
Whatever the case or situation, it is important for everyone to learn as much as they can about HRT before it is used for menopause.
1. What is HRT?
According to information published by the Health Promotion Board, (Ministry of Health in Singapore), one of the most commonly prescribed medications for postmenopausal women across the globe is HRT (hormone replacement therapy). Physicians are prescribing this treatment to restore the female hormones in the body. HRT is also available in different forms such as the following:
- Tablets
- Gels
- Vaginal Creams
- Skin Patches
- Implants
2. What to Expect When taking HRT
As with any medication, it is important that everyone knows what to expect. While this type of therapy is meant to correct medical and physical problems that women experience, there are some common side effects that may be caused after starting.
- Unpredictable Mood Changes
- Fluid Retention or bloating
- Breast tenderness
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Bleeding or spotting
- Headaches
There are other rare but severe side effects that women may experience. So, it is important that people pay close attention to these signs. And, if these signs and symptoms persist, you need to report the following to your health professionals for additional medical help.
- Difficulty with breathing
- Numbness in any portion of the body
- Slurring of words and other changes in your speech
- Sensory changes in taste, hearing, and smell
- Blurred or Loss of Vision
3. When is Hormone Therapy Should be Prescribed
It is also important to note that hormone therapy replacement can be prescribed for more than menopause and its symptoms. Because of the benefits that this therapy provides, physicians may prescribe this treatment for other medical conditions like cancer. For instance, a doctor may prescribe HRT to patients that have been diagnosed with cancer. Therefore, men and women may take this type of therapy for prostate cancer or breast cancer. HRT may be recommended for treatment because it stops the growth of cancerous cells.
Also, before this type of treatment is prescribed, patients are consulting with their physicians about both the advantages and disadvantages. Particularly, when the physician may be considering other viable options for treatments.
Conclusion
Even though HRT is a commonly prescribed therapy for women who are suffering from problems with menopause, there are other reasons why this treatment may be recommended to patients. In fact, a doctor may recommend hormone treatment for patients who have been diagnosed with cancer. This is because HRT will not only replace hormones that the body loses during menopause but also stop the growth of cancer.
Therefore, this treatment is often reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine if it is the best course of action to take. Specifically, when this therapy is compared to other alternatives in medicine.