Hormone therapy is used when an individual is deficient in hormones. This could relate to the menopause, some form of cancer or cancer treatment, and certain long term illnesses like Thyroid Disease and for individuals undergoing a gender realignment process. There are a myriad of reasons.

But this article focuses on the menopause and HRT - otherwise known as hormone replacement therapy. And, for whatever reason, many women still remain in the dark about the realites of the menopause, it's signs, symptoms and so on.

As women age, two key hormones – estrogen and progesterone – diminish. In theory, hormone therapy is intended to replace the diminished hormone levels and the objective is to return the individual to a sense of overall well being. For some, the results are agreeable. However, there are many women that find that whilst some things have improved – others have in fact become worse. Or, even worse, they go on to suffer unpleasant side effects from the actual hormone therapy itself.

A study was conducted in 2002, by the Womens Health Initiative, in relation to hormone therapy and its findings did nothing other than make many women very wary as to the pros and cons of opting for HRT. It was discovered that there is a link between hormone therapy and higher incidents of women suffering strokes, breast cancers and heart attacks.

The particular hormone therapy treatment studied was Prempro: a ‘conjugated estrogens and medroxyprogesterone’. The findings were backed up by way of a secondary study, conducted in the UK and called the Million Women Study.

As a result, medical practioners altered the way they prescribe hormone therapy in relation to the menopause. It now appears that HRT is only prescribed at the lowest dose and for the shortest amount of time for women that enter into the menopause naturally, as opposed to individuals that experience the menopause as a result of surgery or due  to some other reason.

Needless to say, many women were concerned. However, the above study doesn’t rule out the use of hormone therapy in relation to the menopause – it just changed the way that the menopause is treated, which is a positive step for all concerned.

The types of HRT available remain similar or the same; they are just prescribed differently and, one would assume, there is a lot more thought put into considering the menopausal patient as an individual case – again this is how it should be. Treat the patient, not just the symptoms.

The signs and symptoms of the menopause can be any/ all of the following, though this list is by no means fully complete – many women will barely experience a blip regarding their overall wellbeing, others will experience a far wider range of pre-menopause symptoms:

• Hot flushes
• Mood swings
• Vaginal dryness
• Irregular menstrual bleeding
• Fatigue
• Loss of libido
• Sweating excessively
• Headaches
• Forgetfulness
• Dry skin

Of course, many women already experience an uncomfortable menstrual cycle and many of the known symptoms may actually not feel that much different!

However, when you factor in an individuals’ age and the symptoms, I think the sensible answer would be that it’s likely that the menopause is looming … unfortunately.

But, however you look at the menopause, it will happen. Its part of the life cycle of every woman - no matter what, we can’t avoid it. Is it not better to simply embrace the idea and arm ourselves with the knowledge and information prior to its onset? Find out what hormone therapy is available for when we may well need it the most?

Just because we can’t sidestep this rather unfortunate side of womanhood doesn’t mean that we should approach it with shrug of our shoulders and a good dose of hoping for the best. Or worse – trying to make the best of it. I think most women would agree that there are many other aspects to being a woman that we already make the best of!

Personally I intend to approach this period of my life armed with enough knowledge to understand what my body is going through, and why. Plus I want to know what’s available before it happens. And, judging on my age and family history, it should be in the next few years. Oh joy …

Anyway, it’s obvious that there are a lot of choices available for when the menopause kicks in and there’s no point in denying that we may need to avail ourselves of what’s on offer. Whether that’s the standard forms of hormone therapy or more natural remedies is a decision for the individual.

I believe that all women deserve the right to undergo the menopause as healthily as possible and hopefully with their well being intact. After all, twenty or thirty years of running our homes, serving dinners to our families and goodness knows what else surely grants us the right to some kind of … simplicity for once.

Surley?!