Hormones in menopause: Does the use or not?

Due to the findings reported in medical literature, there has been a resistance by women to use hormones that have been recommended to improve the symptoms associated with menopause.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues endorsing the use of hormones as the best option for the treatment of vasomotor symptoms of menopause and its aftermath.

The symptoms include the famous “hot flashes.” These can cause excessive sweating, insomnia, emotional fragility, depression and mood swings. As a result, may be impaired quality of life of the individual and those around them. The changes are most notable in the first two years after the last menstrual period or a surgery that involves removing the ovaries. When it affects the quality of life, the treatment remains the main indication for use hormones.

Apart from the treatment of symptoms, there are only two other indications for the use of hormones: the treatment of vaginal atrophy and prevention of osteoporosis.

The vaginal atrophy is a change in the surface of the vagina that causes dryness, pain during sexual penetration, secretions and discomfort when urinating. These changes happen to all women at older ages and are secondary to hormonal deficiency. The most often prefer treatments premises instead of using systemic therapies.

To prevent osteoporosis recommended hormones when they have tried other options and they have not been effective. The FDA does not endorse hormones for other indications have available until the results of several clinical studies being conducted at present.

For women in that affects the quality of life, the best option remains the traditional hormonal treatments. These should be supervised by a health professional and coupled with other strategies that complement each other.