In the years leading up to menopause a woman’s ovaries begin to shrink. As a result, a woman’s body tries to produce enough estrogen and progesterone to keep up, causing hormone levels in a woman’s body to fluctuate.

Menopause takes place when a woman’s menstrual cycle totally stops. During menopause, symptoms affect different women in a variety of ways. While some may not experience any side effects, other women may experience hot flashes, sleep problems, and urinary tract problems.

Hormone Therapy

Some doctors prescribe postmenstrual hormone therapy to relieve the symptoms of menopause. Progesterone and estrogen generally help regulate a woman’s menstrual cycle. Postmenstrual hormone therapy usually uses these same hormones.

Progesterone is important because it prevents the overgrowth of cells in the lining of the uterus. Overgrowth of the cells in the uterus can cause cancer. These hormones can be taken orally, through a patch (similar to birth control), as a cream or gel, with an intrauterine device, or with a vaginal ring.

Possible Side Effects

While hormone therapy was widely prescribed for relief of menopause symptoms up to 2002, some recent discoveries about side effects have made it more controversial. Some side effects include bleeding, bloating, nausea, headaches, mood changes, and breast enlargement or tenderness.

Early studies found that the hormones women take as replacement therapy would reduce their risk of getting some of the diseases they are more likely to get after menopause, such as heart disease and osteoporosis. However, later studies showed a mix of pros and cons to hormone replacement therapy.

Increased Risk

One study found that women on hormone replacement therapy receive fewer fractures but have an increased risk of breast cancer, heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots. Other studies have indicated that this is unclear, though. Often, the studies involve mostly healthy women so, therefore, even the studies showing an increased risk still do not represent very many women who got any diseases.

It is also important to remember that treatments for any illness or symptom have risk and benefits. A woman should consider the strength of her own menopause symptoms. The best way for a woman to make a decision on hormone replacement therapy is to talk with her doctor.