Hormone Replacement Theory (HRT)

The use of artificial instigation of replacement hormones in the woman’s body during pre-menopause is said to reduce the symptoms to a very good extent. It is generally taken over 12 or 24 months and can often be seen as a painkiller to fight the menopause. which happens due to the hormonal imbalances occurring in the body. HRT has also been found to protect the body against osteoporosis and help boost energy levels during menopause. The appropriate mixtures of conjugated equine estrogens that are derived from the urine of pregnant horses are the most common prescribed form of HRT. All that said there is a lot of controversy over this treatment in itself.

The possible Risks

Though HRT might look very useful during pre-menopausal period, it comes along with a variety of risks. It can increase the risk of breast cancer, heart disease and stroke. There is a higher risk attached to some types of HRT for certain types of women. Always getting help from the health care specialist is essential in this case as it would be helpful to discuss the benefits and risks involved specifically for you. Beyond all that, if hormonal therapy is still preferred it should be the lowest dose and should be consumed only for the shortest period. There should be a review of taking it every 6 months. Also certain women face side-effects after getting treated with the therapy. Some of the most common pre-menopause symptoms that women face are headache, stomach cramps, diarrhea, appetite and weight changes, nervousness, acne, swelling of the limbs due to fluid retention, etc. Natural ways like eating a good healthy diet and exercising well during that menopausal time should be followed by women compulsorily. Most often women tend to put on weight around that time to an unbelievable extent because of which the healthy diet and exercise is compromised. Making an effort to lead a good lifestyle is very important during pre-menopausal and also throughout one’s life.

HRT should provide an increased level of comfort during a woman’s pre-menopausal years.

As you go through menopause, you could suffer hot flashes, anxiety and mood swings, the only thing [that] you can’t attribute to this change of life is losing your memory.

In the latest study that exonerates menopause as a cause of impairing the ability to recall, Taiwanese researchers compared the memory of numerous ladies before they had any menopausal symptoms to their memory as they entered menopause.

In this test, the outcomes were that women who were experiencing the menopause attained scores [that] were as good as non menopausal women on the tests of the 5 distinctive cognitive functions. The outcome from the research are to be disclosed in October. 4 at the American Neurological Association annual meeting in Toronto.

“When women go into perimenopause, they do not need to stress about cognitive decline,” said Doctor. Jong-Ling Fuh, an attending physician at Taipei Veterans General Hospital and an associate professor of Yang-Ming University School of Medicine.

The researchers said the myth of loss of memory during menopause is a belief some women have because as they went through menopause, these ladies didn’t think that their memory was as sharp as before they approached menopause. . This belief was further strenghtened by the studies that said that  hormone replacement therapy may possibly prevent dementia. {However, a large research later found that in older women, hormone replacement therapy not only didn’t help protect ladies from dementia, but might in reality increase the gamble later scientific studies discovered that hrt may possibly in fact increase the risk rather than preventing dementia. }

To try to answer the question of whether or not menopause did have any effect on memory, Fuh and her co workers studied almost 700 premenopausal ladies living on a group of rural islands between Taiwan and China. The Taiwanese government restricted access to these islands until the 1990s, therefore the authors report that the research’s population was nearly homogeneous, which would help rule out other potentially contributing elements of memory loss.

The women were between the ages of 40 and 54. Not one of them had had a hysterectomy, and none took hormone replacement therapy in the course of the research.

All took 5 cognitive tests designed to evaluate their memory and cognitive skills at the start of the research, and then again 18 months later.

During the study period, twenty three percent of the women started to have symptoms of menopause.

The results from these tests were that there was very little variation between the memory of the women who were experiencing the menopause and those who had not. They could not find any statistically significant variations between the 2 groups of that they tested.

There was just one tests that shows a significant difference statistically., and thatdifference, said Fuh, was very slight. The tests that they ran were intended to determine their verbal memory and this was accomplished by showing the women 70 insignificant figures. . Some of the figures were repeated during the test, while most were not
. The women were asked whether they had observed the figure earlier.

“Women won’t unavoidably develop a memory loss as they approach menopause,” said Doctor. Raina Ernstoff, an attending neurologist at the William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak. As you are going through perimenopause and experiencing signs and symptoms like hot flashes, she said, you may feel lousy and have trouble sleeping, which may temporarily affect your cognitive skills.

“The memory loss is not due to the falling estrogen levels,” said Dr. Steven Goldstein, an obstetrician/gynecologist at New York University Medical Center in New York City. “It’s not like your memory is bopping along, doing fine then it takes this huge drop during menopause, like bone density can.”

Both Ernstoff and Goldstein said they weren’t aware of many women who assumed that menopause might cause significant memory loss. They also both felt {that} results from this group of women who were so homogeneous might not be relevant to different groups of women, such as those living in more developed society. Plus they both thought that additional variables that weren’t studied can play a role in memory loss, such as hypertension, which sometimes contribute to vascular dementia.

Dr Ernstoff then said that one of the contributing elements to memory loss could be different education backgrounds. Fuh acknowledged the researchers did attempt to control the data for educational differences.

Source of research : Jong-Ling Fuh, M.D.is and attending physician at the Taipei Veterans General Hospital and an associate professor at the Yang-Ming University School of Medicine in Taipei; Steven Goldstein, M.D., obstetrician/gynecologist, New York University Medical Center, and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the New York University School of Medicine;.D.at the William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak., and a member of the Alzheimer’s Board of Detroit; Oct. 4, 2004, presentation, American Neurological Association, Toronto.

Several women are prone to abandon their exercise routines at the time of the symptoms of menopause and merely rely on menopause natural remedies like natural progesterone, yet studies have proven that it is vitally important to stay healthy and engage in constant physically activity as much as possible. There are numerous arguments why regular exercise is especially important during this stage in a woman’s life and below are some of the top reasons:

Risk of Heart Disease. Menopause is known to exacerbate the danger of developing heart ailment; but if the heart is well-maintained by moderate exercise, then the risk becomes lowered. Physical training also assists in the improvement of the circulatory system so that a healthy blood flow is maintained and accompanying ailments during menopause, such as constant lack of energy and fatigue will cease.

Porous Bones or Osteoporosis.  Even though working out can’t totally block osteoporosis from occurring, it can decelerate the pace in which the amount of bone is lost, and so the condition progresses at a significantly slower rate. It can also increase the strength of the ligaments, bones and tendons so that bone stresses and breakages do not arise every now and then. Natural hormone replacement therapy has also been believed to fight against osteoporosis and is something to consider talking about with your doctor.

Feeling Depressed. This is a common symptom of menopause. And exercise has been proven to clear depressive moods in several subjects. Exercise help improve the mood because it stimulates the brain to release endorphins, which are referred to as the ‘happy’ hormones since they produce a feeling of liveliness. Minor depressive disorders brought about by the uncertainties of menopause can generally be reduced by undertaking some form of moderate physical activity or exercise.

Overall Sense of Well-being.  Physical exercise is fantastic for making you feel fitter and healthier, even if you only do it a few times each week. Moreover if you are feeling good about yourself, then you won’t be so preoccupied with perimenopause symptoms.

What type of workout routine you perform regularly is your own answer. But, you should go for and try to add a mixture of aerobic exercise and weight-lifting workouts.

Aerobic Exercises.
This category includes any type of physical exercise that causes your heart rate and your breathing rate to increase. These may be fitness walking or aero-walking, jogging, running, swimming, riding a bike and aerobic dancing. Aerobic exercise also includes simple labour such as doing housework, serious gardening, chasing after your pet or the children and even spirited intercourse. In fact, anything that you do which makes your heart to pump at an accelerated pace can be referred to as an aerobic exercise and thus it is great for you.

It is crucial not to go overboard however, because the potential benefits of exercise can be offset by exhaustion and this will leave you feeling fatigued and tired when you should be energized and lively.

Bodybuilding Exercises
This type of exercise includes anything that builds muscle strength. For example, climbing the stairs, picking up weights, stretching and muscle toning exercises and even carrying groceries or boxes can be classed as body building even if these tasks do not strictly increase muscle mass. Muscle building workouts are critical for making your cartilage, bones, connective tissues and muscles more powerful, and this in turn reduces the chance of being vulnerable to having bone fractures and sprains.

Based on this health arguments you can see that any workout exercise done during the women’s menopausal period is much better than no exercise. You must consider a few fitness activities you like and alternate between these sports so that there is minimal probability of you growing disinterested to practicing them consistently. Moreover, a little exercise prior to reaching the menopause stage can make you so much more more able to physically cope with menopause and ‘post-menopause’; and as we mature, is it not what we all desire?

While some lucky women experience few or mild symptoms during menopause, others feel like their mind and body are no longer their own. Fluctuating hormones can lead to physical, emotional and psychological distress that can drastically affect a woman’s quality of life. However, menopausal women don’t have to suffer the way they once did. In this article, we’ll look at some simple and practical ways of dealing with the symptoms of menopause.

Menopause is a natural occurrence in women as they age and is not a physical disorder. Menopause is the absence of menstrual periods for 12 months and beyond, and most women begin menopause in their late forties or early fifties. Some women experience difficulty during this time because of the changes in hormone levels. While some women have few or no symptoms, others have many moderate or severe symptoms. The clearest sign of the start of menopause is irregular periods, and when blood flow becomes lighter or heavier.

Women going through the change of life can experience a variety of symptoms or no symptoms at all. To predict what your experience may be like, look at the history of the women in your family. Medical evidence shows that genetics may be a factor in how mild or severe your symptoms are. The symptoms can include weight gain, hot flashes, insomnia, night sweats, vaginal dryness, joint pain, fatigue, short-term memory problems, bowel upset, dry eyes, itchy skin, mood swings and urinary tract infections. Most of the time, these symptoms will lessen or go away after a woman has finished menopause. Research has shown that the severity of symptoms can be related to many things, including genetics, diet and lifestyle.

Studies show that menopausal women experience less discomfort when they are regularly physically active. Exercising pre, during and post menopause has the added benefit of keeping your bones strong, strengthening your heart, and burning calories for managing your weight, which are all major concerns as your estrogen levels gradually flag. The exercises don’t have to be strenuous. Something as simple as a brisk twenty minute walk in the morning or evening can greatly improve the way you look and feel.

One of the most important things menopausal women need is a circle of support around them. Menopause can be very isolating, so the support of your friends and family can make a world of difference. Share your discomfort, worries and concerns with them. Their love is as important as any medication you can take. In addition, take care of your body and make sure that you eat a diet that is rich with nutrients. Get regular exercise and treat yourself well. By not neglecting your physical and mental health, you’ll make menopause the beginning of a whole new life.

Heart health is a other major concern for women as they go through menopause and enter their post-menopausal years. At the same time that your estrogen levels decline, your risk of cardiovascular disease increases. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women, as well as in men. However, there are things that women can do to reduce the risk. In this article, we’ll discuss your heart health and what you can do to protect it.

A woman has a reduced rate of heart disease before menopause compared with men her own age. After menopause, however, a woman’s rate of heart disease increases considerably, until by the age of 65, her risk is equal to that of her male peers. Recent research has found conclusively that there is no coronary health benefit for women with a history of heart disease, who take estrogen alone, or estrogen plus a progestin. Research has also found that women without a previous history of heart disease may also face an increased risk for heart disease when taking hormone therapy. Estrogen therapy is still a safe, short-term option for some women, but numerous other therapies also are available to help you manage menopausal symptoms and protect your heart during this important phase of your life.

There are many things that menopausal women can do to reduce their risk of heart disease. First, quit smoking and reduce your alcohol intake. This will almost immediately reduce your blood pressure. Secondly, eat a diet low in saturated fats and plentiful in whole grains, fruits and vegetables. A diet high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as those found in cold water fish, can prevent heart disease. Cold water fish include salmon, tuna, mackerel, herring and halibut. Fish oils high in omega-3 fatty acids can also help to prevent blood clots, can decrease inflammation in the blood vessels, and can promote a regular cardiac rhythm. Increasing dietary fiber by eating a whole foods diet high in vegetables can lower cholesterol levels and can have a positive effect on the health of your heart.

With regard to your heart health, regular exercise has long been shown to reduce the risk for coronary heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and osteoporosis. Women often exercise less when they enter menopause, which can lead to weight gain. Exercise can help create a calorie deficit, which is what you want when it comes to losing body fat. Some research has found that exercise increases estrogen levels, which can decrease the severity of hot flashes. Strength training can help strengthen the bones and prevent osteoporosis.

Post menopausal women who exercise regularly are about half as likely to develop diabetes, which is the case with their more sedentary counterparts. Exercise also significantly reduced heart disease. Your heart health is critical, so make exercise an integral part of your lifestyle during menopause. Not only will you feel better physically, but you’ll also notice an improvement in your movement. Best of all, you’ll love the compliments about how vibrant and fit you look!

There are some lucky women who never experience the ill effects of menopause. However, there are many more who are experiencing severe menopause symptoms and are longing for some relief. Most of these women will reach a point where they wonder whether hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is worth considering.

During menopause, a woman’s body ceases the production of estrogen. This leads to the occurrence of various symptoms that are typically associated with menopause. Many of these can have a very negative effect on a woman’s daily life. So some women decide to replace the lost estrogen through HRT in order to ease these symptoms. However, there are a few issues that must be taken into consideration first.

Some women consider HRT to be the answer to their prayers; for others, it’s bad news. Studies show that it can keep your bones strong and help to prevent heart problems. But it can also increase the risk of breast cancer. As well, it has been known to produce numerous side affects which can sometimes be debilitating. Loss of memory, sleep problems and hot flashes are just a few of them.

There are two schools of thought on using HRT. Studies show that hormone replacement therapy is very effective at easing many of the symptoms of menopause. However, if you aren’t having any noticeable menopause symptoms, HRT might lower your physical functionality and your energy levels.

A lot of women choose not to use HRT because of the potential cancer risk that has been associated with this treatment. Others, though, believe that the benefits of HRT are greater than the risk of cancer, and their doctors back them up. This treatment seems to offer the promise of protection against osteoporosis and heart disease, and also enhances the quality of life.

In recent years, there have been reports of health risks associated with some brands of menopause medication. If you have been taking either Primpro or Premarin, you might want to look at alternatives. Using a natural form of estrogen is another option.

Some natural methods of easing menopause symptoms include eating right, stress management and taking natural progesterone products. Hot flashes, night sweats and other symptoms of menopause can be significantly alleviated, if not completely eliminated, with these techniques.

Studies are ongoing to determine the effectiveness of hormone replacement therapy over a long period of time. However, all too often the various reports reach conflicting conclusions. This leaves women in the uncomfortable position of deciding whether or not the risks of hormone replacement therapy are worth it. In the end, you will have to make the decision yourself whether or not to use HRT.