14 RiversideHealthcare.org Other treatment options If hormone therapy is not right for you, nonhormonal medications may help manage menopause symptoms. “If you have concerns about your hormone levels, a good place to start would be talking with your primary care provider, who could then refer you to an endocrinologist,” says Ashraf Uddin, DO, with Riverside Healthcare endocrinology. “If left untreated, hormone imbalances can cause a variety of symptoms, including fatigue, weight gain or weight loss, depression, anxiety, and more.” Managing menopause symptoms with hormone therapy Get help with menopause care To learn more or schedule an appointment, call Riverside Endocrinology Specialists at (815) 214-9052 or visit myrhc.net/endocrinology. Sources: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; JAMA; Menopause Society Is hormone therapy safe? Hormone therapy uses medication to help relieve menopause symptoms by replacing some of the estrogen and progesterone your body no longer produces. For many healthy women, hormone therapy is a safe and effective way to treat hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal dryness. Improving these symptoms may also help with sleep, mood and sexual health. Hormone therapy is not right for everyone. Risks depend on the type of therapy used, when you begin and your overall health. Possible risks include: ● Estrogen-only therapy can increase the risk of endometrial cancer. Adding progestin lowers this risk for those who still have a uterus. ● Combination therapy may slightly increase the risk of breast cancer and heart attack. ● All hormone therapies are linked to a slight increase in the risk of blood clots and stroke. For most healthy women who start hormone therapy before age 60 and within 10 years of their last period, these risks are generally low. Common menopause symptoms Menopause affects everyone differently. Common symptoms include: ● Hot flashes ● Night sweats or trouble falling asleep ● Vaginal dryness ● Frequent urination or strong urges ● Mood changes, including irritability If menopause symptoms are disrupting your life, talk with your healthcare provider. Many treatment options are available, including hormone therapy. The transition to menopause can be a challenging time. Menopause usually occurs around age 50 and 12 months after your last menstrual period. However, hormone changes often begin years earlier. These earlier years are called perimenopause and typically start in the mid-40s. During this time, hormone levels fluctuate, causing changes in your menstrual cycle. Periods may become irregular, lighter or heavier than usual. G L I V I N 34
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