We asked Menopause Nurse Triona Casey for her advice for those thinking of taking HRT.
75% of menopausal women experience symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, 25% experience severe symptoms. I’m often asked how I know if a woman should start HRT. When your symptoms cannot be managed by lifestyle and nutrition changes alone and they are interfering with work, relationships and home life, your physician may recommend HRT alongside the lifestyle and nutritional advice.
If your perimenopause symptoms are too intense and disruptive then your GP may recommend a course of HRT (synthetic hormones) to give you a baseline of hormones so that you don’t dip below the threshold needed to sustain healthy hormone balance. However, some women and Doctors are reluctant to use HRT due to the potential association with factors such as breast cancer, blood clots, heart disease and strokes. The HSE have information available on understanding the risks of HRT which you can discuss with your Doctor.
The most important factor before starting HRT is that each woman has a detailed medical assessment ensuring overall health is good. We also carry out an assessment to see if there is any risk of breast cancer, heart disease or clotting disorders so we can monitor carefully. Family history is also taken into consideration.
Healthcare professionals are now equipped with excellent evidence based national and international guidelines and individualise an appropriate HRT regime based on this information. HRT will only be prescribed if the benefits outweigh the risks. It is a shared decision between you and your healthcare professional.
There is a new dawn for hormone therapy and some Doctors are now prescribing body identical hormones (a natural match). These hormones have the same chemical structure as the natural hormones that the body makes. Thanks to their structure, these body identical hormones do not come with the same potential health hazards as the synthetic hormones found in HRT which is why they are gaining popularity and can offer great support throughout perimenopause and beyond.
The timing of giving HRT has also changed, we now know that the stage before Menopause, called perimenopause can be the most symptomatic for women and it can last for 7 to 12 years. We also know that most benefits are seen when a woman starts on HRT within 10 years of menopause.
Taking HRT can also benefit future health, evidence shows a decreased risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, and osteoarthritis. There are many nutrition and lifestyle change we can also make to reduce our risks of heart disease and improve bone health.
You can take Cleanmarine MenoMin alongside HRT, it contains Soy Isoflavones a phytoestrogen.