Tips On Dealing With The Side Effects Of HRT
HRT stands for Hormone Replacement Therapy and is a drug-based intervention used to help women in midlife cope with the distressing and unpleasant symptoms of menopause. HRT treatment comes in different forms such as oral tablets and skin patches which release hormones like the female hormone oestrogen into the bloodstream over a period of time. If you want to buy Estradot patches online in the UK then visit our digital pharmacy, we also stock Evorel patches if you want to buy these online.
Before menopause (peri-menopause) and during it, the female hormones, oestrogen and progesterone, begin to lower in their production and this can create some very unpleasant symptoms which may continue for months if not years, these include low mood, anxiety, night sweats or hot flushes, vaginal dryness and reduced sex drive, HRT aims to replace those hormones so the female hormone oestrogen and also progesterone in a combined treatment although some women will take oestrogen-only Hormone Replacement Therapy.
There are four main forms of HRT:
- Tablets taken by mouth
- A patch that you stick on your skin
- An implant of small pellets of oestrogen which are inserted under the skin of the tummy, buttock or thigh under local anaesthetic
For many women, HRT treatment is a lifesaver, allowing them to carry on with life much as they did before. However, there are side effects to HRT so it needs careful discussion with a doctor or Well Woman clinic as it is not suitable for all women.
What are the side effects of HRT?
Like the combined contraceptive pill, there are side effects of HRT and these can include:-
- Feeling sick or nauseous
- Headaches
- Indigestion
- Breast tenderness or swelling
- Bloating
- Leg cramps
- Vaginal bleeding
- Mood swings
- Depression
- Back pain
The HRT recommended by your GP may contain oestrogen-only or both hormones. Usually, the starting dose is low to see if it has an impact at a lower level but also to mitigate any side effects. Taking the tablet with food can help and often the side effects reduce after a few weeks but sometimes it is necessary to either alter the dose or the way the HRT is delivered.
HRT treatment
If you have been prescribed HRT then look no further for your HRT treatment. We sell a comprehensive range of Hormone Replacement therapies so if you are looking to buy Estradot patches online in the UK or you want to buy Evorel patches online then look no further than Pharmacy Planet, our comprehensive website explains more.
Authored By
HARMINDER ‘HARMY’ KAUR
BSc(hons) Pharmacy
GPhC Number: 2061107
Reviewed By
GURDEV SEHMI
BSc Pharm, MRPharmS, Independent Prescriber, Superintendent Pharmacist, Clinical Lead
GPhC Number: 2050925