HRT? Weight gain?!

Hormone replacement and weight gain

When a woman reaches the age of forty, most often than not, she is close to menopausal stage. Hormone replacement therapy is a medical procedure that is given to postmenopausal women to prevent discomfort and lessen most health problems that comes with age. It is a short- term relief from menopausal symptoms such as irregular menstruation, hot flashes, and fat redistribution, among others. It is also seen as an effective treatment to prevent the risk of osteoporosis. The therapy includes a series of prescription medicines that are specifically works to increase hormone levels in both women and men. To name, the basic body hormones are estrogens and progesterone or in some rare cases, testosterone.

Hormone replacement therapy comes in different forms. It may come in tablets, ointment or cream. Dosage is varied for each patient. Make sure to check on your doctor first before purchasing anything. Usually one may just need the estrogen hormone or just the prostegins. In some cases the intake of both is advised. For men, androgen or testosterone is recommended for osteoporosis prevention and to heighten sexual libido.

There are certain health risks that are associated hormone replacement therapy. Oral intake of progestin and estrogen pills may increase risk of gallbladder and liver problems. Equine estrogens can also be a probable cause of heightened risk of breast caner or even uterus cancer. To some people it may also increase the risk of cardiovascular issues. That is why the American Heart Association released a guideline last February 4, 2004 mentioning that hormone replacement treatment should no longer claim that in can lower down the chances of acquiring cardiovascular disease.

Lately, the debate arises whether being under hormone replacement therapy can cause reduced weight, especially for women. Because of this controversy, several clinical tests were done to specifically observe the connection between weight gain and home replac