As women mature, age-related hormone changes can take an emotional and physical toll, compromising their comfort and functionality. But the good news is that hormone replacement therapy has been touted as a safe and effective treatment for menopause symptoms and the effects of low testosterone.
Naturally, when you start taking treatments like HRT, you want to see fast results. However, this treatment does not work overnight. For some women, improvements are noticeable relatively quickly; for others, it can take a few weeks or months to start seeing the effects. So, how long does HRT take to work? In this article, we will discuss the stages of treatment, as well as the benefits and potential risks.
What is HRT and What Does it Do?
In simple terms, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a treatment that is designed to relieve age-related hormone changes. Generally, it is used to treat the symptoms of menopause by replacing hormones that are at a lower level. These symptoms can range from hot flashes and night sweats to vaginal discomfort and reduced sex drive.
While these symptoms usually pass on their own within a few years, research suggests that the menopausal transition can be as long as fourteen years. So, it is no surprise that some women take HRT to balance out their hormones and reduce symptoms.
Types
There are many different types of HRT available. For example, HRT can involve taking both oestrogen and progestogen, which is known as combined HR). Alternatively, it can involve taking just oestrogen, which is referred to as oestrogen-only HRT. It is worth noting that this option is only prescribed to women who have had their wombs removed during a hysterectomy.
On top of that, there are different ways of taking HRT, including:
- Tablets
- Skin patches
- Oestrogen gel
- Implants
- Vaginal oestrogen
Depending on your stage of menopause, HRT medicine may be used in cycles where you take progestogen every few weeks and oestrogen without stopping. Alternatively, you can take both hormones without stopping.
Benefits
Of course, the main benefit of HRT is that it can provide relief for many women, reducing common symptoms of menopause, including:
- Hot flashes
- Mood swings
- Loss of libido
- Night sweats
- Vaginal dryness
Not to mention, it can also prevent osteoporosis, which refers to a weakening of the bones. Postmenopausal women are more susceptible to osteoporosis as this condition is related to oestrogen deficiency.
Risks
It is worth noting that some types of HRT medicine can increase the risk of developing breast cancer. This risk can increase the longer HRT is used. But when women stop taking HRT, the risk decreases over time.
It is generally believed that the risk of developing cancer from HRT is small. While the benefits can outweigh the risks, it is important to speak to your GP to find the right treatment option for you.
Side Effects
As with any other treatment, you may experience side effects when taking HRT, such as:
- Abdominal pain
- Breast tenderness
- Headaches
- Indigestion
- Feeling sick
- Vaginal bleeding
In most cases, any side effects will pass within three months of starting treatment.
When to Start HRT
If you are interested in starting HRT, you will need to book a consultation with your GP. In most cases, you will not need to be tested. Your GP will discuss the different types of HRT available and work with you to find the best treatment option.
Treatment usually starts with a low dose that can be increased at a later stage. It can take a few weeks to notice improvements and you may experience some side effects initially.
Your GP will usually suggest trying HRT for around 3 months to decide how it suits you. If it does not help, they may recommend changing the type of HRT or dosage.
How Long After Starting HRT Do You Feel a Difference?
When women start HRT, how they respond to the treatment can vary. Some women start to feel better pretty quickly while others may only feel the full effects after three months.
Who Can Take It?
Although most women who are going through the menopausal transition can have HRT, it may not be suitable if:
- You have untreated high blood pressure
- You have a history of blood clots
- You have a history of breast, ovarian or womb cancer
- You have liver disease
- You are pregnant – You can still get pregnant whilst taking HRT. If you are over the age of fifty you should use contraception for up to 1 year after your last period. If you are under the age of fifty, it is advisable to use contraception for up to two years
Alternatives
If HRT is unsuitable for you, there are alternative methods of relieving menopause symptoms, including:
- Antidepressants – These can help with hot flashes and night sweats but they can lead to dizziness and agitation
- Clonidine – In some women, this non-hormonal medicine can help to reduce hot flashes and night sweats
- Lifestyle changes – Exercising regularly, eating healthily and giving up habits like smoking or drinking can reduce symptoms
- Tibolone – This medicine is similar to combined HRT. However, it is not always as effective and is only recommended for women who had their last period over a year ago
Stopping HRT
Once your menopause symptoms pass, it is advisable to stop taking HRT. Though there is no limit on how long you can take the medicine, you should speak to your GP about when to stop taking it. After all, taking HRT for more than one year can increase the risk of breast cancer unless you are taking vaginal oestrogen. This increased risk will go down over time but some increased risk remains for over ten years.
It is advisable to gradually decrease your HRT dose instead of just stopping as your symptoms are less likely to come back in the short term. But if your symptoms persist for several months after you have stopped taking HRT or your symptoms are severe, you may want to speak to your GP about starting HRT again.
Visit Our Menopause Clinic to Start HRT
The experts at our menopause clinic excel at helping patients manage the emotional and physical symptoms of menopause. Get in touch with us to book a consultation with one of our specialist GPs today.