Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is necessary for balancing progesterone and estrogen in women in the menopause period (Nelson et. al, 2012). HRT has numerous strengths and limitations as well upon employing it during the menopause period in women. Among the strengths are as follows. First, it is an effective approach to relieving signs of perimenopause and menopause. HRT reduces the severity of hot flashes a symptom of menopause. In addition, it reduces the risk of osteoporosis among other symptoms related to menopause. HRT is necessary for keeping the skin young, which might be a substantial impact on women. Moreover, recent findings suggest that HRT is suitable for improving muscle function and reduce the mortality rate among postmenopausal women (Nelson et. al, 2012).
Despite the numerous strengths, there are several limitations that support the reasons against the employment of hormone replacement therapy. According to Million Women Study Collaborators (2010), HRT is can cause cancer, one of the major health risks. In addition, it can attract urinary problems, hot flashes and night sweats, vaginal dryness, lower fertility and memory difficulties among other severe discomforts. In addition, women who undergo the hormone therapy replacement might develop smaller breasts, irregular periods, and thinning hair, sleep problems and develop attitudinal problems. Research connects the employment of HRT to different types of cancer including breast, ovarian and endometrial cancer (Nabulsi et. al, 2013).
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Apart from HRT, other approaches can be employed for women around the menopause period. These approaches entail alternative ways necessary for relieving the symptoms. They include reducing consumption of alcohol, caffeine, and spicy food, exercising regularly, avoiding smoking, sleeping in a well-ventilated room and wearing loose clothing among other ways (Nabulsi et. al, 2013). In relation to the identified limitations of the HRT, my prescription would be on alternative approaches. In addition, antidepressants (SSRI-type) can help in the treatment of hot flashes. Alternative treatment can be recommended for patients with hormone difficulties following the negative impacts of hormone replacement therapy, which overdoes the strengths.
References
Million Women Study Collaborators. (2010). Breast cancer and hormone-replacement therapy in the Million Women Study. The Lancet , 362 (9382), 419-427.
Nabulsi, A. A., Folsom, A. R., White, A., Patsch, W., Heiss, G., Wu, K. K., & Szklo, M. (2013). Association of hormone-replacement therapy with various cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women. New England Journal of Medicine , 328 (15), 1069-1075.
Nelson, H. D., Humphrey, L. L., Nygren, P., Teutsch, S. M., & Allan, J. D. (2012). Postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy: scientific review. Jama , 288 (7), 872-881.
