Hormone therapy is a treatment used when the body is lacking the hormones estrogen, progesterone, or both. According to Yeswellness (https://www.yeswellness.com/lorna-vanderhaeghe-estrosmart/), insufficient hormone production happens when the ovaries cannot generate adequate amounts of estrogen. The therapy is the one fulfilling the needed hormones for the system, and one of these is the estrogen replacement therapy (ERT).

In ERT, doctors often prescribe consuming low levels of estrogen every day. Women who undergo this therapy are usually on their menopausal stage since, at this point, the levels of estrogen are deficient due to issues like stress and age. When taken as hormone therapy, ERT benefits menopausal women in relieving hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and other matters like night sweating and itchy skin.

Other benefits of estrogen therapy are:

• Lowering the risks of osteoporosis and other bone-related illnesses
• Improving the mood and the whole mental state of women
• Decreasing the possibility of tooth loss
• Lowering the risk to have colon cancer

ERT Types and its Benefits

Pills

Oral medication is the most common form of ERT. Some of these oral medications are conjugated estrogen and estradiol. Most of the time, these pills must consume without food intake for a certain period.

This type of ERT is proven to relieve the woman from the issues regarding menopause and gives a boost to the bones, lowering the chances to have osteoporosis. Pills are also the best-studied ERT type.

Skin Patches

This type of ERT has different estrogen levels depending on the brand. For instance, the Menostar has a lower estrogen dosage compared to other skin patches. Skin patches placed in the lower stomach beneath the waistline. The patch can be changed once or twice a week, depending on the instructions.

In ERT types, skin patches are the most convenient. It just has to be stick on skin, and there are no pills to worry about since there are usual side effects when it comes to taking oral medications. Moreover, patches do not have to go to the liver but directly to the blood. However, studies related to ERT skin patches and blood clots have to be confirmed.

Topical Creams, Sprays, and Gels

Estrogen creams, sprays, and gels provide a different way to supplement estrogen. These are applied and absorbed directly in the bloodstream. Some are applied to the arm while some in the legs. However, since it applies to the skin, be sure not to get in touch with other household members because if they do, they can get some of the estrogen dosages.

Just like the skin patches, it is safer than taking oral medications, and also, significant results are faster since it bypasses other organs like the liver.

Vaginal creams, rings, and suppositories

These ERT types are applied or placed vagina. Generally, this treatment used to relieve vaginal dryness, itchiness, pain, and burning sensations, especially during sexual intercourse. The dosing schedule depends on the type used. For vaginal rings, it needs to be replaced every three months. Vaginal suppositories are usually used daily for a couple of weeks before using them twice a week. Finally, creams applied r several times in a week, depending on the dosage schedule.

Joyce Laroche