Throughout life, the human body undergoes numerous transformations hormone that directly affect the functioning of organ, the well-being emotional and general health.
These changes are especially evident during phases such as menopause, andropause or in clinical situations that cause sharp drop at hormone levels.
Given this, many people resort to the call hormone replacementa treatment that seeks to restore the body’s balance and relieve symptoms associated with the deficiency of certain hormones. But, after all, what is this treatment, how does it work and for whom it is really indicated?
What is it, how does it work and what is a hormone replacement for?
Hormone replacement is a medical treatment used to replenish hormones that the body fails to produce or produces in smaller quantities.
This hormonal fall is common especially during menopause, but may also occur in other clinical situations, such as after ovarian removal, early hormonal insufficiency or even specific cases involving andropause in men.
The goal of hormone replacement is to alleviate the symptoms caused by the deficiency of these hormones and improve the quality of life.
Treatment works through the administration of synthetic hormones, usually estrogen and progesterone, which help restore hormonal balance in the body.
The choice of therapy depends on the person’s clinical picture, the presence or otherwise of uterus, age and risk factors. In people who have made hysterectomy (uterus removal), for example, estrogen can be used in isolation.
Already those that maintain the uterus usually need a combination with progesterone in order to protect the endometrium against the increased risk of cancer.
In addition to treating typical menopause symptoms such as heat waves, vaginal dryness, mood swings and sleep problems, hormone replacement can also have beneficial effects on bone health, helping to prevent osteoporosis.
Still, it is not suitable for all people. The decision to start or not the replacement should be made after careful medical evaluation, considering health history, lifestyle and risks involved.
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What types of hormone replacement?
Hormone replacement can be done in various ways, and the choice of the most appropriate type varies according to the symptoms presented, the medical history and the individual preferences.
Among the main types are:
Isolated estrogen therapy
Suitable for women who have done hysterectomy, isolated estrogen therapy only replenishes this hormone, as there is no risk of endometrium hyperplasia.
It is effective in relieving symptoms of menopause and can be administered orally (tablets), transdermal (adhesives or gels) or vaginal (local creams, rings or tablets).
Combined therapy: estrogen and progesterone
This type is recommended for women who still have the uterus. Addition of progesterone is important because estrogen alone can cause abnormal growth of the uterus coating, increasing the risk of endometrial cancer.
Combined therapy can be cyclic (imitating the menstrual cycle) or continuous, depending on the phase of women’s life and the intensity of symptoms.
Hormone replacement
Mainly used to treat vaginal symptoms such as dryness and pain during sex, local therapy is usually done with low doses estrogen, applied directly to the vagina.
This type has fewer systemic risks and is considered safe for many women, including those who cannot do the full treatment.
Testosterone Therapy
Although less common, testosterone can be prescribed in specific cases of low libido or severe fatigue, especially when symptoms persist even with estrogen use.
Administration should be careful as side effects may include acne, increased hair and mood swings.
Hormone replacement in men
In men, replacement usually involves testosterone and is indicated in cases of confirmed hypogonadism when there is drop in hormone levels accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue, depression, muscle loss and libido reduction.
The application can be done by injections, gels or stickers, always with medical supervision.
Regardless of the chosen form, hormone replacement should be monitored continuously, with regular examinations and periodic reevaluation, as prolonged use may increase the risk of thrombosis, stroke, breast or endometrium cancer, depending on the patient’s profile.
With information from NHS.
