| In our grandmothers' time, the menopause was | | | | This is in the form of estrogen. If you still have a |
| looked on as a natural part of life and women | | | | uterus, it will be combined with progesterone. |
| just had to put up with it. Some women sail | | | | Estrogen supplements alone can cause cancer of |
| through it and notice no symptoms at all and | | | | the uterus but the risk is virtually eliminated if a |
| others suffer quite a lot. Nowadays, there is a lot | | | | progestogen supplement is given with it. |
| of help available in the form of hormones, to deal | | | | MHT may help to prevent your bones thinning |
| with symptoms that you may experience during | | | | (osteoporosis) and help with menopause |
| perimenopause and menopause. | | | | symptoms but they may return if you stop |
| What's Perimenopause? | | | | taking it. |
| This is the time prior to menopause (anything up | | | | Controversy surrounds MHT as there are risks |
| to several years) when a woman's monthly cycle | | | | involved. Some women may increase their risk of |
| begins to become irregular. She may experience | | | | suffering blood clots, heart attacks, strokes, |
| hot flashes, sweats at night, dryness of the | | | | breast cancer and disease of the gall bladder. If |
| vagina and feel emotionally labile. | | | | you are considering MHT, talk to your doctor who |
| The perimenopause is what women are really | | | | can help. It's recommended that hormones are |
| enduring when they say they are going through | | | | given in the lowest dose that helps, and taken for |
| the menopause. The medical definition of | | | | the shortest time that they are needed. |
| menopause is when a woman has not had a | | | | Five Things You Should Know Aout MHT |
| period for a year. It usually occurs when a | | | | * It doesn't prevent heart attacks or strokes. |
| woman is in her late forties or early fifties. | | | | * It doesn't prevent loss of memory or |
| Women who have had their ovaries removed | | | | Alzheimer's disease. |
| during surgery, for whatever reason, will go into a | | | | * It has not been shown to prevent aging, |
| sudden menopause if hormone replacement is not | | | | wrinkles or sadly, to increase sex drive. |
| offered. | | | | * Risks and benefits of hormone pills, patches, |
| At the beginning of perimenopause, some doctors | | | | creams, gels and rings may all be the same. |
| prescribe birth control pills. These can help to | | | | Herbs and other natural products should be used |
| regulate or stop heavy, frequently occurring, or | | | | with caution, although more open-minded doctors |
| unpredictable periods. They can also help with the | | | | are happy for their patients to take them, and |
| unpleasant symptoms and will prevent pregnancy. | | | | may even help with herbal choices. Research the |
| Many women think that they won't conceive as | | | | latest studies to see if they may benefit you. If |
| their periods are now so erratic and then find | | | | you are a breast cancer survivor and your tumor |
| themselves with a new baby! | | | | was estrogen positive, you mustn't take anything |
| What Is MHT? | | | | containing estrogen - and that includes plant |
| Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) is the new | | | | estrogens. Take care and read the small print! |
| name for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). | | | | |