Questions about Menopause

Certainly, you may have some questions about menopause:

• When should one start taking hormones?
• Are there alternative methods for treating menopause symptoms?
• Which therapy is right for me?
• Will I have monthly bleeding with hormone replacement therapy?
• How does hormone replacement therapy work?
• How does hormone replacement therapy look after gynecological surgical procedures?
• How long should one take hormones?
• Do the benefits of hormone replacement therapy outweigh the possible risks?

The diagnosis of menopause can be carried out in various ways.

• One option is clinical diagnosis, where the gynecologist suspects menopause based on typical symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep disturbances, or mood swings.
• Hormone status is an important method for diagnosing menopause. Here, hormone levels in the blood or saliva are determined, especially the levels of estrogen and progesterone. Hormone status can also be used to plan hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Hormone replacement therapy helps alleviate symptoms caused by hormone deficiency, improving health and well-being. It enhances quality of life, can heal metabolic disorders, and serve as a prophylaxis for various diseases.

There are different concepts of menopause therapy, depending on the individual needs and symptoms of the woman.

• Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a common method where missing hormones are replaced by administering estrogen and progesterone to relieve symptoms.
• There are also non-hormonal therapies such as phytoestrogens, which are found in plant foods like soybeans, flaxseeds, and red clover and can act similarly to estrogens.
• Acupuncture, yoga, and relaxation techniques can help relieve menopause symptoms.
• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle
• Balanced diet / dietary programs
• Regular exercise, fitness programs
• Reducing smoking and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption

The choice of the right therapy depends on many individual factors such as age, health status, and personal preference.

Application Forms

Administering hormones can alleviate typical menopause symptoms and reduce the risk of certain diseases. Individual adjustment of hormone therapy is important to find the optimal dose and form of administration.

A. Oral Administration: Oral hormone replacement therapy is a proven treatment that is effective, easy to manage, well-accepted by patients and doctors, and offers a variety of preparation options.

B. Transdermal Application: Another form of administration is hormone patches, which are regularly applied to the thigh or hip and release consistent doses of estrogen and progestin. For a long time, there were only pure estrogen patches, so progestins had to be taken orally. Nowadays, combined patches are available.

You can shower or swim with the patch, as the adhesive does not come off easily. Only in the sauna or steam bath might the patch come off due to high temperatures, in which case you would need to replace it with a new one.

C. Vaginal Administration: If you particularly struggle with vaginal dryness and itching, you can use estrogen-containing vaginal tablets, suppositories, or creams locally in the vagina. Compared to oral therapy, much less estrogen needs to be administered locally.

D. Hormone Replacement Therapy After Gynecological Surgeries: After removal of the ovaries, many women suffer from estrogen deficiency, leading to severe menopause symptoms. It is advisable to consider pure estrogen therapy immediately after surgery if both ovaries and the uterus have been removed. For patients with an intact uterus, a combination of estrogen and progestin is recommended to protect against endometrial overgrowth.

Duration of Hormone Replacement Therapy

Menopause is a long-term process. Your body does not adjust overnight; it takes time to adapt to hormone deficiency and function under changed conditions.

Hormone replacement therapy can alleviate many bodily functions regulated by hormones during menopause symptoms (e.g., hot flashes, sweating, sleep disturbances).

Generally, hormone replacement therapy should be used for as short a time as possible. Regular visits to your gynecologist (once or twice a year) will help determine whether to continue hormone therapy. Discuss any physical changes or concerns openly with your doctor. It is important that you feel comfortable!

If you decide to stop hormone replacement therapy, do not do so alone and abruptly. Consult your doctor to plan the next steps.

Your gynecologist is the competent partner to help you create your risk profile and make an individual decision.