Women’s health education is being gatekept, and it’s time to highlight how women can be more in tune with their bodies. Unfortunately, most women are out of the loop when it comes to their health because of the lack of research and stigmatization that comes along with it. Whether it’s menstruation, fertility or menopause there is no shortage of questions and concerns about what is going on internally in a woman’s body or how to manage painful symptoms. Women’s health is often put on the backburner, causing them to lose trust in the healthcare system. Instead of holding back information, women deserve to have all the answers.
The majority of women will spend most of their lifetime in the menopause and postmenopause stage. During menopause, women experience a multitude of symptoms from hot flashes and irregular periods, to vaginal pain and sleep issues, but honestly there are so many more. Besides these physical symptoms of menopause, there is also the emotional toll it takes on a woman’s body. Hormones are all out of whack, and navigating this new chapter can be difficult on them, especially without all the information.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is just one way for women to manage their symptoms and get back to feeling like themselves again. HRT is medicine that contains female hormones such as estrogen. Women can make the choice to take this medication in order to replace the estrogen their body loses when they enter menopause. HRT helps balance a woman’s hormones, ultimately managing those uncomfortable symptoms they might be feeling.
“The good thing about HRT is that it is completely a personal choice, all depending on how you want to manage your menopause symptoms. A lot of the time menopause can be uncomfortable and HRT can help you feel like yourself again. From hot flashes, vaginal discomfort to preventing bone loss, it can really help you manage the symptoms you might be experiencing,” says Proov CEO Amy Beckley.
However, HRT is not always talked about in doctor’s offices across the country. Studies show that 73% of women do not know enough about the medication to decide whether it is right for them. This number shows that the majority of women are not being educated on the ways they can take back control over their bodies. HRT might not be for everyone, but it should at least be discussed so women can decide if it’s something they want to move forward with.
There are a few risks involved with HRT as with any other medication. Increased risk of cancer and blood clots has been associated with HRT for specific groups of people. However, recent studies and research now say the benefits outweigh the past risks due more advanced testing, especially for menopause symptoms and bone loss.
“It’s important to note that HRT is meant to replace the same hormones (estrogen and progesterone) that your body no longer can make itself. It is important to talk to your doctor on when to start HRT,” Beckley says.
The best thing about HRT is that women get to make the choice for themselves on whether or not they want to take it. Because of the risks, it might not be for everyone, but for some it could be the key to helping them feel like themselves again. More recent testing and advancements in HRT does not make it a one-size-fits-all medication, so there are many different uses and ways it can benefit women with different backgrounds and symptoms. Each body is different, and HRT can be catered to help women individually.
Menopause is tricky to navigate both mentally and physically. It does not wait for when women are ready, but happens often when they least expect it. That’s why HRT is an option out there for women if they want it. Doctors and physicians should discuss all the possible options when it comes to women’s healthcare, instead of gatekeeping information that could give a patient a new outlook on their life. There are pros and cons to everything, and HRT is an example of that. However, managing menopause symptoms is no easy feat and HRT could be the key to women unlocking a healthier version of themselves.