If you’re over 50 and have been through menopause, or if you’re a woman who experienced early menopause (before the age of 40), chances are you’ve heard the words “hormone replacement therapy” from your doctor. You might have also heard about the serious risks associated with hormone therapy, such as heart disease and breast cancer. What to believe? And if you’re considering this treatment, what should you know about it? The professionals at MediCenter in Kenai, AK, are passionate about women’s health, and believe that you should be well informed about all of your options. Here is an overview of hormone replacement therapy and your options going forward:

Your body produces a number of natural hormones that control almost every aspect of your physical and mental health, including your appetite, how well you sleep, and even how clear your skin is. When you reach menopause (both regular and early menopause), your body stops producing some of the hormones it used to make. Both during and after menopause, some women experience severe physical symptoms, including lack of energy, anxiety, and even depression.

Sometimes, these symptoms don’t right themselves, and other therapies, such as lifestyle adjustments and alternative medicines, just aren’t doing the trick. In these cases, your doctor may decide that the benefits of hormone replacement therapy outweigh the risks. Since long-term and/or preventative hormone replacement therapy is no longer recommend, he or she will suggest a short-term course of estrogen. The estrogen can be taken in a variety of forms (pill, skin patch, gel, cream) and has been shown to relieve many of the uncomfortable symptoms associated with menopause.

Hormone therapy is not only for women who are going through regular or premature menopause. If you’ve experienced bone loss and your body hasn’t responded to other treatments, hormone replacement therapy may be right for you (estrogen plays an important role in regulating bone mass). Women w

In addition to helping you decide if hormone replacement therapy is right for you, the professionals at MediCenter in Kenai offer a wide variety of other women’s health services, including (but not limited to):ho have had their uterus or ovaries removed may also find hormone replacement therapy beneficial.

• Gynecology
• Pap smears
• Birth control (including IUDs)
• Thyroid problems
• Menstruation problems
• STD testing
• Annual exams that emphasize preventative medicine and low stress
• Osteoporosis diagnosis and prevention