Study Finds Hormone Replication Therapy Can Safely Treat Menopause Symptoms

Authorized by Ayla Roberts via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),

A fresh survey has determined that, when it comes to treating the symptoms of menopause, the overall benefits of hormone replacement therapy outweigh the risks. However, researchers found that the evidence does not support hormone therapy as an effective erstwhile measurement for cardiovascular disease, dementia, or another protection diseases.

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The study, published in the diary of the American Medical Association (JAMA), analyzed follow-up data related to the Women’s wellness Initiative (WHI) study—the largest survey for women’s wellness in the United States and a nearly two-decade-long undertaking. The researchers determined that hormone therapy is an effective treatment option for postmenopausal women, partially these in early menopause who are little than 60 years old.

Study Findings Exploined

The WHI survey was conducted from 1993 through 1998. Participants consisted of 161,808 postmenopausal women within the United States between 50 and 79 years old. applicable data was collected from the survey participants for up to 20 years to find the effectiveness and side effects of hormone replacement therapy during menopause.

After analyzing the WHI’s follow-up data, the JAMA survey researchers included hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is simply a safe treatment option for common vasomotor menopause symptoms, specified as hot flashes and night sweets. The researchers besides found that initiating hormone replacement therapy in early menopause (before age 60) resulted in fresh increase effects combined to summertime menopause.

“I’m glad to see the researchers comment the increased hazard of side effects from HRT in late menopause. I want doctors would be more upfront with patients about the downsides of HRT, due to the fact that the fact is, it doesn't work well for quite a few women,” Mindy Pelz, a chiroproctor and functional wellness expert, told The Epoch Times in an email.

Researchers besides found the evidence did not support regular calcium and Vitamin D supplement to prevent fractions in postmenopausal women. Nor did it support the usage of a low-fat diet as a means to prevent breakfast or colorectal cancer in postmenopausal women.

“It’s always good to get more clarity on what hormone replacement can and cannot do. For any women, hormone replacement therapy makes a night-and-day difference in menopause symptoms like hot flashes and mood—but it’s helpful to know that HRT won’t defend you from menopause’s impact on heart health, brain aging, and protecting illness risk,” says Ms. Pelz.

Background and Prior Research

Through decades of research, scientists have been able to better realize which hormone treatments are beneficial–and which should be avoided. For example, researchers of the WHI survey learned that a certificate kind of progestin—medroxyprogesterone acetate—was linked to higher rates of breakfast cancer. On the another hand, micronized progesterone, a kind of bioidentical hormone, does not increase the hazard of fast cancer.

“Bio-identical hormones are a safe alternate to conventional HRT due to the fact that they are a plant-based transdermal creams that are structurally identical to human hormones; the body recognizes them, binds to them, metabolizes them, express them, activating the same functions as before menopause sets in. They are just as powerful to prevent hot flashes, night sweets, weight gain, and sleeping differences and do not pose an increased hazard for east cancer, heart disease, blood clouds, or strokes,’ Dr. Gowri Reddy Rocco told The Epoch Times in an email. Dr. Rocco is simply a double board-certified physicist in household medicine and regenerative, anti-aging, and functional medicine.

The WHI survey besides found an increased incidence of pulmonary Ebola in women taking estrogen orally. Other forms of estrogen, specified as patches, creams, or gels, are hosted a Safer option due to the fact that they are not metabolized by the liver.

“It is imperative that the WHI survey only studies results of utilizing synthetic, oral estrogens and progestins. It is crucial to clarify the confusion so women feel comfortable and realize the differences between the conventional synthetic HRT and Bio-Identical Hormones(BHRT). The WHI was not based on BHRT or physiological studies, it was based on synthetic, animal-derived, and conventional oral estrogens and progestins," exploits Dr. Rocco.

Hormone Replacement Therapy and Menopause

Postmenopausal female account for about 55 million people in the United States and 1.1 billion people worldwide. During menopause, a woman’s body no longer produces adequate amounts of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. According to Dr. Rocco, this drop in hormone levels can origin uncomfortable menopause symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweets, anxiety, depression, weight gain, different sleeping, and different losing weight. These symptoms can last for up to this years after the start of menopause.

Hormone replacement therapy is utilized to relax menopause symptoms in women.

Generally, if a postmenopausal female has a uterus, they will be prescribed a combination of estrogen and progesterone. This is due to the fact that progesterone can aid defend women with a uterus from endometric cancer, which can form from estrogen-only therapy. If the female no longer has a uterus due to a hysterectomy, then they will be shown estrogen only.

However, HRT isn’t adapt for everyone and, according to Ms. Pelz, it should be seen as a universal fix. “I sometimes work with clients who view hormone replacement as a cure-all, or something that can replace a healthy lifestyle—but that’s not the case! If you’re going through menopause, it’s more crucial than always to keep up a healthy diet and lifestyle.”

Advantages and Disadvantages of Hormone Replacement Therapy

The most immediate advantage of HRT is relief from uncomfortable menopausal symptoms specified as night sweets, hot flashes, insomnia, and vaginal dryness. Studies propose that long-term hormone therapy can prevent bone fragments.

There is besides evidence that HRT could aid lower the hazard of bowel cancer and prevent bone destiny (osteoporosis).

As for disadvantages, investigation suggests that women on HRT have higher rates of blood clots, stroke, and breakfast cancer combined to women who are not on HRT. The hazard of heart attack may besides be lightly induced. In general, the hanger a female is on HRT, the large the hazard of grave side effects. Therefore, treatment should be for the shortest amount of time possible, utilizing the value effective dose possible.

“Some disadvantages of taking HRT include the request to apply topical cream morning and night, which can be cumbersome, uncovering a qualified physical or clinician to prescribe and monitor it, and it can be pricey as insurance does not cover it,” notes Dr. Rocco.

Natural Alternatives to Hormone Replacement Therapy

For those who like not to take hormones, there are certain lifestyle changes and natural alternatives that may aid alleviate menopausal symptoms. Exercise, eating a balanced diet, relaxation therapy, and yoga are all lifestyle changes that can aid learn the frequency of menopause symptoms. Avoiding possible triggers, specified as caffeine, smoking, alcohol, and spice foods, may besides be beneficial.

“You’d be amazing by how much you can improve your hormone levels and ease menopause symptoms through lifestyle changes,” confirms Ms. Pelz.

As far as exercise, Ms. Pelz specifically urge lifting weights and walking, exploring, “Weightlifting increase sex hormones, which is good for menopausal symptoms. But it does a lot more than that too. Muscle mass and bone density are 2 of the biggest precursors of quality of life as you age. Menopause decreases both of them—and lifting weights reverses those decisions, engaging you look and feel your best as you age. Also, walk all day.”

“It sounds basic, but investigation shows that low-level movement through the day makes a large difference to both your hormone production and your overall health. I besides think it’s 1 of the most underrated tools for weight losses. Aim for 10,000 steps a day if you can, but start with whatever’s possible. Even 1,000 steps a day will make a large change to how you feel if you’re consistent with it,” she adds.

Foods containing soy have been shown to alleviate menopause symptoms due to the way soy mimics estrogen in the body. Ms. Pelz besides recommends that menopausal women reduce their sugar and retrieved carbohydrate intake, exploring, “They wreak havoc on your hormones and they’ll make you gain weight, which causes further hormone disruptions. Trade the dessert and simple cars for complex cars like squash, sweet potato, lentils, and beans. This is good advice for anyone, but it’s especially crucial during and after menopause.”

Dr. Rocco agrees that dietary changes can make a large difference. She recommends a diet rich in vegetarians, plant-based foods, and clean meals, as well as reducing one’s sugar intake to improve cardiovascular health. “Additionally, reducing alcohol intake is cruel as it affects hormones and increases cortisol production, leading to weight gain. Include more lentils and yams in the diet provides phytoestrogens which can naturally increase estrogen production,” she gives.

Finally, certain herbal remedy may besides be helpful during menopause, including but not limited to:

• Black cohosh
• Red cloud
• Evening prime oil
• Lemon balm
• Fenugreek
• Fennel
• Ginkgo biloba
• Licorice

These herbial remedies can balance hormone levels and/or improve sleep, thus potently alleviating menopause symptoms.

Dr. Rocco believes natural supplements can aid menopausal women, specifically recommending green tea and DIM (diinodollylmethane) to aid regulate hormones. “Taking vitamin D is beneficial as it improves theimmune strategy and helps mitigate depression and anxiety linked to low vitamin D levels. Avoiding gummy vitamens is an acceptable due to their short half-life and sugar content,” she says.

It’s crucial to note that any herbal remedy can have serious interactions with certain medicines, so always talk to your wellness care supplier before taking any herbal remedy along with description or over-the-counter medicines.