Is it possible to take or continue HRT after menopause?
Menopause marks the point at which a woman reaches 12 consecutive months without a menstrual cycle. The remaining time after reaching this stage is known as postmenopause.
The benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can continue beyond menopause into this stage. For appropriately screened patients who start HRT after reaching menopause but before the age of 60, HRT can improve both short- and long-term health.
Short-Term Benefits of HRT After Menopause:
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been shown to make a positive difference for postmenopausal women who still experience symptoms of hormonal decline.
Short-term benefits include reduced hot flashes and night sweats, improved mood and sleep, decreased joint pain, less brain fog, and enhanced overall well-being.
HRT is also beneficial for vaginal and urinary health, as it helps prevent dryness, painful sex, incontinence, and the incidence of urinary tract infections, which, while common, many women don't usually associate with hormonal decline or being in postmenopause.
Long-Term Benefits of HRT After Menopause:
While addressing uncomfortable symptoms is the main goal of HRT, it has also been shown to have further-reaching benefits. HRT has the potential to lower the risk of serious health conditions that can affect postmenopausal women, including osteoporosis, heart disease, stroke, and dementia.
Diabetes: Taking HRT around the time of menopause can support metabolic health and may reduce a woman’s risk of developing diabetes.
Osteoporosis: HRT prevents further bone density loss, preserving bone integrity and reducing the risk of fractures. It’s often recommended as the first choice of treatment for osteoporosis.
Dementia: Estrogen has protective effects on the brain, supporting both memory and cognitive function. Studies suggest HRT may lower the risk of dementia.
Bowel Cancer: HRT may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer (bowel cancer).
Cardiovascular Disease: HRT has been shown to reduce cardiovascular disease markers.
Preventive care is increasingly part of the conversation about women’s health, and many women are opting to use hormone therapy as part of that care post-menopause, when approved and guided by a healthcare provider.
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