Natural hormone replacement treatment (NHRT) is a therapy used to replace the important hormones that deplete when the body fails to produce the hormones that are to be replaced. Most commonly the decline of the body’s ability to function properly is due to the transition into menopause. Natural hormone replacement, like most/any treatments, does have its side effects but it is up to you to decide if the benefits outweigh the risks. NHRT can be a great path to head down.

Natural hormone replacement is typically recommended by doctors for short-term use. Both hot flashes and night sweats seem to be affected positively from NHRT. This type of treatment improves the elasticity of skin and helps skin to keep its thickness. NHRT also helps to prevent the thinning of vaginal walls. Thinning of vaginal walls can lead to pain and inflammation, which of course, nobody wants. It may also help to affect your (bad) moods and feelings of depression. Short-term memory and clarity of thought improves, for some women, while undergoing natural hormone replacement treatment.

There are a number of options to choose from when it comes to the hormones being taken in by the body.  These options include pills, creams, patches, IUDs, vaginal rings and shots. When it comes to natural hormone replacement therapy it is vital to speak to your physician first because there are risk factors to consider. If you have had, or currently do have, liver disease, a thrombosis, high blood pressure, or past breast or uterine cancer do not undergo natural hormone replacement therapy, for this can cause extremely serious risks and conditions.

The risks that come with NHRT

• Breast cancer and/or breast sensitivity

• Blood Clots

• Heart Attacks

• Strokes

• Ovarian cancer

• Gallbladder disease

• Mood swings/changes

• Nausea

• Headaches

• Dizziness

• Aching pelvic region

• Vaginal bleeding

The risks may seem extreme, and they are, but many of them occur when there are other factors besides the natural hormone replacement treatment. Some of these factors could include other medications you are taking, your physical structure compared to the dosage amount you are receiving or medical conditions that had not been discovered prior to starting NHRT.

Advantages of undergoing natural hormone replacement treatment

• Decreases or eliminates premenopausal/postmenopausal symptoms

• Helps to regulate irregular menstrual periods

• Decreases or eliminates uterine bleeding

• Prevents vaginal thinning and dryness

• Increases energy and reduces depression and mood swings

• Improves the skins elasticity

• Decreases or eliminates hot flashes and night sweats

• Improved bone health, reducing the risk of osteoporosis

• Reduces risks of heart disease

• Accelerates fat burning for increased weight loss

• Decreases or eliminates insomnia

• Increases sex drive and libido

• Protects against fibrocystic breasts

• Helps improve memory lapses and foggy thinking

• Improves blood flow

• Decreases or eliminates premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

Natural hormone replacement therapy has its risks, as do all other medications.  You can learn of those risks if you are able to read the size 4 print on the terms of agreement papers or can understand the commercials with a person explaining the terms of agreement and risks ridiculously fast. Here it is all laid out for you on the table so that you can understand what the treatment actually is. Making sure you have all the information on natural hormone replacement is the first and most important step towards deciding whether or not NHRT is right for you.