How to use medicine after menopause

Menopause is a journey that every woman must go through, and it generally occurs on average around the age of 50. Although it is a natural phenomenon, it affects women's daily lives, so we must pay attention to the impact of this phenomenon on women.

Does every menopausal woman need to use hormone therapy?

Not every woman is suitable for hormone therapy. Doctors will only consider prescribing hormones in the following situations: (1) Discomfort caused by hot flashes and poor temperature control; (2) Psychological symptoms such as mood changes, depression, and insomnia; (3) Postmenopausal symptoms such as senile vaginitis, cystitis, and sexual dysfunction; (4) Symptomatic osteoporosis to prevent fractures; and (5) Prevention of cardiovascular diseases that may occur after menopause.

What should I pay attention to when using hormone replacement therapy?

The higher the dose of estrogen, the higher the chance of it causing side effects. Therefore, the lowest effective dose is generally used, which is less likely to cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, headache, edema, weight gain, breast pain, uterine bleeding, etc. On the other hand, it can also avoid over-stimulation of the endometrium and cause endometrial hyperplasia. Progesterone can be taken to prevent this hyperplasia. Long-term use of hormones can also cause hypercalcemia, hyperlipidemia and poor liver function, so special care should be taken when using them.

In addition, women with myocardial infarction, stroke, breast cancer, endometrial cancer, thromboembolism, pancreatitis, cholelithiasis or pregnant women should also avoid using this treatment to avoid danger.

When should hormone replacement therapy be stopped?

There is no fixed timetable for stopping the medication. The doctor will decide based on the patient's condition. Usually, the medication is stopped every six months or a year to see how the patient responds.