Is HRT safe for me to take if I have premature ovarian failure?
Most health care providers believe that HRT replaces
what your body should be making naturally as a young woman, and that your body
needs these hormones to function normally. HRT taken by women with premature
ovarian failure is very
different from the hormone therapy that is often taken by women who are going
through or have already gone through natural menopause.
A study found that older women, who had gone through normal
menopause, were at increased risk for certain health conditions when they took a
certain type of hormone therapy for long periods of time. The study was part of
the Women's Health Initiative, a large, multi-center study that involved more
than 161,000 postmenopausal women in
their fifties, sixties, and seventies. The researchers found that these women,
who went through natural menopause at the expected age, were at greater risk for
stroke, blood clots, heart disease, heart attacks, and breast cancer
after taking a specific type of hormone therapy for
more than five years.
These results do not apply to young women taking HRT; specifically, these
results don't apply to young women with premature ovarian failure. Women in the study mentioned above
were between the ages of 50 and 79 when the study began and had gone through
menopause at the normally expected time; their bodies would not normally be
making high levels of hormones. The type of therapy taken by women in the
Women's Health Initiative study could be called hormone extension therapy,
rather than hormone replacement therapy, as is often reported. These women took
the hormones beyond the time that the hormones would naturally be present. Women
with premature ovarian failure get hormone replacement therapy; that is, the HRT is providing
something their bodies would normally be making, if they didn't have premature
ovarian failure.
The type and amount of HRT prescribed to women with premature ovarian failure is different
from the hormone therapy taken by women in the Women's Health Initiative study.
For example, women with premature ovarian failure usually take full-dose estrogen replacement therapy,
meaning the amount of estrogen is nearer or equal to the level normally found in
a young healthy woman, whose ovaries are working properly, before menopause.
Hormone therapy for women who have already gone through menopause is a much
lower dose. And, women with premature ovarian failure typically use a patch to deliver the hormone
estrogen, but take a pill that provides progestin. This regimen is different
than the one used in the Women's Health Initiative, which had women take a pill
that contained both estrogen and progestin.
Talk to your health care provider if you have questions about HRT as a
treatment for premature ovarian failure. He or she can explain the benefits and risks of HRT for your
specific situation as a young woman. It is important to remember that young
women with premature ovarian failure differ from older menopausal women in many significant ways. Your
health care provider should consider these issues when deciding on the best
treatment for you.
Night sweats are severe hot flashes that occur at night and result in a drenching sweat. In order to distinguish night sweats that arise from medical causes from those that occur because one's surroundings are too warm, doctors generally refer to true night sweats as severe hot flashes occurring at night that can drench sleepwear and sheets, which are not related to an overheated environment.
Hypothyroidism is any state in which thyroid hormone production is below normal. Normally, the
rate of thyroid hormone production is controlled by the brain at the pituitary.
Hypothyroidism is a very common condition and the symptoms of hypothyroidism are
often subtle.
Low testosterone can affect both men and women. Causes of low testosterone in males include undescended testicles and injury to the scrotum. Low testosterone in females includes ovary conditions. Treatment for low testosterone in men includes testosterone replacement therapy. Currently there is no FDA approved testosterone treatment for women.
Normal vaginal bleeding (menorrhea) occurs through the process of menstruation. Abnormal vaginal bleeding in women who are ovulating regularly most commonly involves excessive, frequent, irregular, or decreased bleeding. Causes of abnormal may arise from a variety of conditions.
Learn about osteoporosis, a condition characterized by the loss of bone density, which leads to an increased risk of bone fracture. Unless one experiences a fracture, a person may have osteoporosis for decades without knowing it. Treatment for osteoporosis may involve medications that stop bone loss and increase bone strength and bone formation, as well as quitting smoking, regular exercise, cutting back on alcohol intake, and eating a calcium- and vitamin D-rich balanced diet.
Addison disease is a hormonal (endocrine) disorder involving destruction of the adrenal glands (small glands adjacent to the kidneys). Diseased glands can no longer produce sufficient adrenal hormones (specifically cortisol) necessary for normal daily body functions. Symptoms include weight loss, muscle weakness, fatigue, low blood pressure, and sometimes darkening of the skin. Treatment of Addison disease involves replacing, or substituting, the hormones that the adrenal glands are not making.
Heart disease (coronary artery disease) is caused by a buildup of cholesterol deposits in the coronary arteries. Risk factors for heart disease include smoking, high blood pressure, heredity, diabetes, peripheral artery disease, and obesity. Symptoms include chest pain and shortness of breath. There are a variety of tests used to diagnose coronary artery disease. Treatment includes life-style changes, medications, procedures, or surgery.
Hot flashes (or flushing) is the most common symptom experienced by a woman prior to and during the early stages of menopause. Hot flashes can be caused by other conditions. Diagnosis is made by taking a patient history and at times, blood tests. Treatment options include hormone therapy, bioidentical hormone therapy, and medications. There are non-FDA approved natural remedies.
Infertility is the diminished ability to conceive a child. The primary cause of infertility in men is a sperm disorder. In women, the primary cause of infertility is an ovulation disorder. Most forms of infertility can be treated. Conventional infertility therapies include drugs or surgery.
Fragile X syndrome is the most common inherited form of mental retardation. It's caused by a mutation on the X chromosome. People with Fragile X syndrome suffer from physical, social, emotional, speech, language, sensory, intelligence, and learning impairments. There is no definitive treatment for Fragile X, though there are ways to minimize the symptoms.
Menstruation (menstrual cycle) is also referred to as a "period." When a woman menstruates, the lining of the uterus is shed. This shedding of the uterine linking is the menstrual blood flow. The average menstrual cycle is 28 days. There can be problems with a woman's period, including heavy bleeding, pain, or skipped periods. Causes of these problems may be amenorrhea (lack fo a period), menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea), or abnormal vaginal or uterine bleeding. There are a variety of situations in which a girl or woman should see a doctor about her menstrual cycle.
Pregnancy planning is important to help prevent exposure of the mother and fetus to potentially harmful medications and substances during the early days, and throughout the pregnancy. Nutritional planning, prevention of birth defects, conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and kidney disease need careful monitoring. Gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and pregnancy induced hypertension are conditions that may arise during pregnancy. Immunizations, inherited disorders, exercise, air travel, intercourse, and birth control are important factors to consider when planning a pregnancy.
Premature menopause is when a woman goes through menopause before the age of 40 because of genetics, illness, or a medical procedure. Symptoms of premature menopause include irregular or missed periods, mood swings, hot flashes, periods that are heavier or lighter than usual, vaginal dryness, bladder irritability, incontinence, dry skin, eyes or mouth, sleeplessness, and decreased sex drive. Though premature menopause cannot be reversed, the symptoms can be managed with methods similar to those used for natural menopause.
Trying to get conceive, or become pregnant can be challenging, frustrating, and an emotional rollercoaster for some couples. There are things you can do to chart progress, which may ultimately lead to a successful healthy pregnancy, or, when necessary, lead to discussions with a fertility specialist. Being aware of your menstrual cycle, charting your fertility pattern, knowing the reasons for infertility, and treating infertility are key points to discuss with your partner and physician.
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