Tracey2205

HRT - Hormone Replacement Therapy more widely known now as a treatment than a therapy. It can help your body adjust to the lower levels or hormones and help to alleviate symptoms. (listed below)

HRT is medical treatment for the female menopause. There are three stages of the Menopause, Perimenopausal, Menopausal and Post Menopausal.

Every woman's body has its own unique time line the Menopause can start at any age with the average age around 50 years old and is due to dropping estrogen and progesterone hormones, this can be caused by the natural change when a woman's body no longer needs to reproduce or by having a hysterectomy (removing the female reproductive organs - womb, fallopian tubes and or ovaries).

Peri Menopause is the gradual decline of the ovaries' function and can include irregular periods for several years leading up to the menopause.

Symptoms of the menopause which HRT can help to alleviate are

* A loss of libido
* Vaginal dryness
* Headaches
* Itching or burning sensation in the skin
* Excessive sweating
* Forgetfulness
* Hot flashes - which can also cause night sweating
* Fatigue
* Joint pains
* Irritability and anxiety
* Sudden increase in facial hair
* Dry skin and or sudden onset of wrinkles
* Dizziness
* Insomnia
* Menopause depression.

HRT the risks - before you decide whether HRT is for you, talk to your GP. You have to make sure your doctor is aware of existing medical problems like high blood pressure, liver disease, endometrial cancer or if you've had a deep vein thrombosis. Your doctor will assess your health and medical problems and decide which HRT is suited to you.

If you are not happy with your doctor - change and see another one - this is your life and body - take charge and get the help and support you deserve to get the right form of treatment for you.

I don't know much about natural rememdies and treatments, but this board is great for help with that.

There are many other things you can do to help yourself, wear light nighties or pjama's, sleep with a window open, change to light bedding rather than heavy ****ts, avoid too much caffeine, spicy foods, that can trigger hot flushes (tropical moments as I call them).

Have a nap in the day, if you can, don't beat yourself up because you can't sleep at night.

Do something nice for yourself each day - have a relaxing bath with soft music, a glass of wine and a good book, or go and have your nails painted, your hair done.

Embrace the change that affects us all (women I mean) change is hard but is for a good reason.

Try and think positive - this won't last forever, even though it feels like it at the moment.

Learn to love yourself all over again, the new woman in you - you are worth it.

Keep posting here and get the support you need and deserve.