Women that are experiencing menopause as they age or are going into forced menopause due to a hysterectomy, may find their doctor discuss hormone replacement therapy, also called HRT. Hormone replacement therapy is the process in which synthetic hormones are given to a woman to combat the undesirable effects of menopause. Usually hormone replacement therapy consists of a combination of estrogen and progesterone.

While some doctors believe that there are disadvantages of taking hormone replacements, many women feel that the good outweighs that bad. Women taking HRT can enjoy some of the benefits such as having reduced side effects from menopause. Doctors often prescribe such therapies for healthy women with no history of breast cancer.

One huge benefit of hormone replacement therapy is that this form of therapy can often successfully reduce undesirable symptoms often caused by menopause. Those taking replacement hormones often report less hot flashes, and night sweats. Also, they are able to sleep better at night. Many women who take hormone replacement are able to take the prescriptions on a short-term basis, while others will need more long-term care on the therapy. Also, most doctors will prescribe the lowest dose that is possible to avoid any unpleasant side effects.

In addition, to helping alleviate the most common side effects of menopause, other benefits include helping not so common side effects. For women who suffer from mood swings and irritability, hormone replacement therapy can be very effective. Also, hormone replacement therapy can be taken to help alleviate menopause symptoms such as vaginal and bladder issues. Usually, when replacement hormones are given for relief of symptoms, the drug is only taken for a short period. Most doctors recommend stopping the therapy every two to three years and then re-assess the woman’s health history and need for HRT.

Doctors also commonly prescribe hormone replacement therapy to women who are suffering from osteoporosis or who have osteoporosis in the family. Hormone replacement can be quite beneficial for that condition. This is often a beneficial treatment for both the prevention and treatment for osteoporosis. This condition is cause by decreased bone density in women. Osteoporosis is a very common age-related disease in women. As they age, most women experience some degree of bone density loss. By taking hormone replacements, this disease can be reduced drastically. Long term treatment us usually needed for women who already have osteoporosis. Also, HRT can also help reduce the risks of Alzheimer’s, colon cancer and degenerative eye diseases.

When a woman starts taking hormone replacement therapy, doctors will usually prescribe the lowest possible dose. After awhile, the doctor may choose to increase the dosage depending on the woman and her personal needs. In order to see results of hormone replacement therapy, the drug should be given between three to six months for it to reach its full effect. Hormone replacement therapy can be quite beneficial for women experiencing the side effects of menopause and hysterectomies. A medical professional can recommend what is right for each individual woman.