When the natural fertility cycle comes to an end during the menopause, a decrease in the circulating blood hormones -- estrogen, progesterone and testosterone -- can cause a number of symptoms, including reduced libido, lack of energy, irregular cycles and hot flashes. Artificial hormone replacement has been shown to alleviate these symptoms in a treatment program commonly referred to as hormone replacement therapy, or HRT. Other less common forms of HRT are prescribed to people undergoing gender reassignment.
HRT for Menopause
Various combinations of hormones iare commonly prescribed to women around the age of the menopause, depending upon the symptoms and specific requirements of the patient. Women who have undergone a hysterectomy, or who reported symptoms of reduced libido or lack of energy are often prescribed testosterone, according to a March 2010 article published in "Menopause International."
Risks and Benefits
Increased risk of heart attack, stroke, blood clots and breast cancer have been associated with HRT, although this is balanced with mild protection from the degenerative bone disease osteoporosis. Taking HRT immediately after menopause has been shown to reduce the risk of dementia by 70 percent. It also improves the attention span and decision making processes, according to a January 2009 paper published in "Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews Online."
Drug Administration
Delivery of HRT can be through tablets, patches, creams and implanted devices in the womb. Some studies have indicated that oral administration can raise the risk of side effects such as blood clotting, particularly in the lungs, and this may be due to the large changes in blood hormone levels following each dose. Side effects can be reduced by administering HRT through skin patches, leading to a more constant blood level, and this is now preferred, according to a March 2006 article published in "Expert Opinion on Drug Discovery."
HRT Duration
The most common prescription duration of HRT is one to two years from the onset of menopause to relieve symptoms. However, younger women who go through menopause prematurely, or have a hysterectomy, are frequently prescribed HRT for many years, until the natural age of the menopause, according to the website Patient.
Gender Reassignment
When an individual's psychological and behavioral characteristics closely match those of the opposite sex, the person may elect for gender reassignment therapy, a process in which sex hormones including estrogen, progesterone and testosterone are prescribed, leading to development of some sexual characteristics of the opposite sex, according to a March 2010 article published in "Clinical Endocrinology."
References
- "Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews Online"; Hormone Replacement Therapy to Maintain Cognitive Function in Women with Dementia; E. Hogervorst et al.; January 2009
- "Expert Opinion on Drug Discovery"; Delivery Systems for Drug Replacement Therapy; S. Fraser, D. Mansour; March 2006
- Patient: Menopause and HRT
- "Menopause International" Ten reasons to be happy about hormone replacement therapy: a guide for patients; J. Studd; March 2010
- "Clinical Endocrinology"; Hormonal Therapy and Sex Reassignment: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Quality of Life and Psychosocial Outcomes; M. Murad et al.; March 2010
