Guide to Understanding Side Effects of HRT for Managing Menopause

Common Side Effects of HRT

Common Side Effects of HRT

"Every treatment has side effects." 

"Getting hold of HRT is a blessing." 

"If you do not wish to wake up sweaty every single day, then go for it."

"This is the only way to rebalance your hormones."

You must have heard one or more of the claims like these from the women you know! Yes, HRT works for the majority of menopausal women. It is a highly effective method of managing menopausal symptoms. However, usually, the side effects occur, and then the therapy fails to see you and your symptoms as an individual experience, which is always different from another woman. 

That is when you may experience certain side effects from HRT that you must be aware of. Some common ones are;

• Potential discomfort
• Breast Tenderness
• Bloating
• Mood swings 
• Leg cramps
• Skin irritation
• Indigestion
• Nausea
• Headaches

Some other particular side effects related to the medication containing the hormone 'progesterone' are;

• Premenstrual syndrome-like symptoms
• Fluid retention
• Breast tenderness
• Backache
• Depression
• Mood swings
• Pelvic pain

If you are already under HRT and experiencing these symptoms, try to reevaluate. Do not let anyone tell you that these are menopausal symptoms and that all you need is an increase in the dosage of HRT.

Point to Ponder

Irregular bleeding on HRT can occur, especially during the first 3-6 months of continuous combined and long-cycle HRT regimens. Further investigations may be necessary if irregular vaginal bleeding persists after six months of starting HRT.

Risk Factors Associated with HRT

Balancing risks against benefits is a common aspect of life choices, and the same applies to HRT. 

Based on current knowledge and research results, for most women who need HRT, the benefits significantly outweigh the risks. 

1. Breast Cancer

Research studies noted that women who take HRT containing oestrogen and progesterone face an increased risk of breast cancer. Women who took oestrogen-only therapy did not experience an increased risk of breast cancer.

2. Blood Clotting

Oral formulations of HRT increase the risk of venous thromboembolism ( blood clots in the veins). This, in turn, increased the risk of stroke attack. To avoid these, you can use transdermal patches of HRT.

3. Endometrial Cancer

Oestrogen-only HRT increases the risk of endometrial cancer. However, continuous combined HRT or cyclical progesterone will reduce the risk.

4. Heart Disease

Women over 60 who took HRT for more than 10 years often faced the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

5. Gallstones

With prolonged use of HRT, you may even face gallbladder issues, particularly gallstone formation.

If you are someone who is already on HRT, it's best that you take the lowest dosage to control the severe symptoms for a short duration of time.

Note: Personalisation of HRT is very important.

Decoding the Side Effects of HRT Patches

HRT patches often pose less risk to you than other forms of HRTs. HRT patches are quite common and easy to use. Here, you get a controlled release of hormones directly into your bloodstream.  However, some side effects that you may face cannot be overlooked. 

• Redness or skin irritation at the application site of the patch. 
• Patches may leave a sticky mark. You can remove them by gently rubbing it off using lotion or cream.
• Apart from these localised effects, the overall side effects of HRT oestrogen patches are similar to other forms of HRT. These side effects can include breast tenderness, bloating, mood swings, headaches, and other symptoms associated with hormone fluctuations.

Coping with HRT Side Effects

The first step towards coping with side effects is to recognise the side effects. It is essential to pay attention to your body to not overlook certain health issues you may face with HRT. 

Take note of these and remind yourself to follow up;

• Talk to your doctor and evaluate if your symptoms are menopause or the side effects of HRT.
• Monitor and record the symptoms you face so that you can keep a tab on them according to the changes in your HRT dosage.
• Listen to your body and prioritise self-care to take your mind off stressful situations that can worsen the symptoms.
• Go for a holistic approach to balancing your menopausal changes.
• Do not forget to follow a healthy lifestyle. There is no better therapy than regular exercise, a balanced diet and stress-reduction techniques.

If you are someone new to HRT and wish to continue with the same, then remember that the hormones may take some time to adjust before you see the stoppage of symptoms. Always make sure that you talk to your HRT provider before taking any decision. If you wish to find answers right away, connect with Nirva experts who helped hundreds of women take a natural approach for menopausal transition.

You can also be one of them who says "Goodbye HRT".

Myth-Busting HRT Side Effects

Fact: HRT dosage and type is decided by checking different parameters in your body. It is as personalised as any other conventional/ modern medical care. Even then, some women may experience mild side effects, while most tolerate HRT very well.

Myth 2: HRT inevitably leads to weight gain.

Fact:Weigth changes come in during menopausal age due to hormonal changes. The only way to overcome this change is to adopt lifestyle habits for weight loss.

Myth 3: HRT increases the risk of breast cancer for all women.

Fact: Not all women have the risk of breast cancer with HRT. Some predisposing factors like genetics also play a role in this. Additionally, a decreased dosage of HRT has minimal to nil risks.

Myth 4: All forms of HRT have the same side effects.

Fact: Most of the HRTs have similar side effects, but additional symptoms may depend on the type of HRT you are given. The type of HRT given to you must be decided by your doctor after evaluating your health profile.

To Conclude 

At Nirva, experts aim to educate women of menopausal age that HRT is not the only option. Taking care of your body like you have never before can help you transition through the changes as smoothly as you have ever wished for. 

Natural approach to deal with menopausal changes at Nirva Health has an effectiveness of 65-80%. 

So, with natural and holistic approach, it's time to say no to side-effects.