Written by Stephanie Johnson - February 13, 2023
Menopause is a natural process that all women will experience. Many women choose to take estrogen during menopause as a form of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to help ease symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, irregular periods and vaginal dryness. With any hormone replacement therapy, there can be associated risks and side effects. It is important to understand these risks before beginning any HRT program.
The most common side effect of taking estrogen during menopause is an increased risk of blood clots or stroke. Other possible side effects include:
Taking estrogen during menopause may lead to more serious problems in some cases, such as an increase in gallbladder disease or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Women should seek immediate medical attention if they experience any signs or symptoms of DVT including chest pain, shortness of breath, redness or swelling in the legs and/or arms, trouble breathing or talking, sudden blindness, confusion or dizziness. Signs of gallbladder disease include abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting after eating fatty foods like ice cream or fried foods. If you experience these symptoms while taking estrogen therapy it is important to inform your doctor right away.
It is also important for women to remember that the dosage of estrogen used during menopause can affect the severity and frequency of side effects experienced.. Everyone's body reacts differently so understanding your own body chemistry can help you decide what dose best fits your needs. Generally speaking however lower doses have been found to have fewer side effects than higher doses when taken over an extended period time. It is always best practice to consult a doctor before starting any new medications or supplements.
In addition to consulting a medical professional prior to starting HRT it is also beneficial for women use natural remedies when trying alleviate symptoms caused by menopause such as fatigue, anxiety and insomnia. Some natural treatments that have been found successful include herbs such as black cohosh and dong quai as well as lifestyle modifications like exercise, relaxation techniques like yoga or massage and dietary changes like increasing Omega 3 fatty acids which have been shown reduce inflammation naturally present in the body during menopause .
At BHRT Treament Center our goal is provide customized care for each woman undergoing hormonal transition . Our team includes specialists from multiple disciplines who work together create personalized plans utilizing medication management , nutrition counseling , physical activity guidance , lifestyle coaching and more . Together we create solutions based on our patient’s individual needs with the goal making life’s journey smoother . Contact us today learn how we can help you .
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Fill the form below or just call us (888) 655-6616