Menopause and hormones: how they work together
by Dr. med. Bettina von Seefried
The right time, the right remedy
At some point around the age of 50, women's levels of female sex hormones begin to decline. The question of whether this should be supported by hormone replacement therapy, or HRT for short, has been debated for years - which can be unsettling.
by Melanie Oetting published on myHealth.ch with expert Dr. med. Bettina von Seefried
Menopause and hormones - a good idea?
- Taking hormones for up to five years during the menopause is considered reasonable.
- Choose the right time: You should start during the so-called "window of opportunity".
- If you don't have any symptoms, you don't need hormones. Creams or herbal products may also help with some symptoms.
Gynecologist Dr. Bettina von Seefried advises women in hormone coaching sessions and better-aging consultations. "Women with symptoms need to be relieved of their fear of hormone replacement therapy (HRT)," she emphasizes. Years ago, HRT was associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, but that has since been revised. "Today's studies show that there is no increased risk if hormones are taken for up to five years during menopause. If you take them for longer than that, it could possibly be increased," the doctor explains.
The favorable window of opportunity
"Many women come to us asking what they can do to get through the menopause smoothly," she says. Symptoms such as sleep disturbances, irritability or hot flashes can begin about five years before the last period. "We know that now is the ideal time to start replacement therapy. It has been clearly proven that a woman who starts taking hormones for five years during this favorable window - i.e. between the ages of 50 and 55 - will live longer," says Dr. von Seefried. This is because of the protective effects: They prevent osteoporosis and diabetes and promote heart health. In addition to replacement therapy, there are drugs that help with individual symptoms. Dr. von Seefried encourages women to try them: "There's no need for an eyes-to-the-wall strategy."
Menopause and hormone types
There are traditional and bioidentical hormones. The bioidentical ones are often confused with the more natural ones. "Both are produced in the laboratory and come from the yam root," explains the gynecologist. "The only difference is that bioidentical hormones are administered in their active form, whereas the body produces the active form of the classic hormones itself". Both types have been approved by Swissmedic.
Not all hormones that can be used during menopause have to be taken orally. In addition to tablets and capsules, creams and gels are also available. "If a woman has no symptoms other than vaginal dryness or an irritable bladder, there is no reason to start whole-body hormone therapy. A vaginal estrogen cream is perfectly adequate," says Dr. von Seefried. Like the pill, oral estrogen increases the risk of thrombosis. Women with a family history of this are therefore better off taking the hormone as a cream through the skin.
Better aging and a gentler menopause
Changing your lifestyle to a "healthy" one during these years is worthwhile. Dr. von Seefried lists all the things that can help you get through the change as smoothly as possible: "More sleep and more exercise, less alcohol and less coffee. Give up nicotine completely. And lots of love and zest for life.
For many women, the menopause marks the beginning of a new phase in their lives, including more time for themselves after a long period of focusing on their families.
According to Dr. von Seefried, starting with more exercise, relaxation or yoga often leads to a healthier lifestyle overall. Techniques such as acupuncture or herbal products, such as those containing melissa extract, can help with individual menopausal symptoms.
Melanie Oetting
Medical journalist Melanie Oetting would like to live to be a hundred. She is particularly interested in researching lifestyle-based prevention options. As a trained physiotherapist and yoga teacher, she has knowledge of conventional, complementary and eastern medicine. In her articles, she takes an integrative approach to bringing together the best of both worlds to enable readers to make informed decisions.
Menopause and hormones - a good idea?
- Taking hormones for up to five years during the menopause is considered reasonable.
- Choose the right time: You should start during the so-called "window of opportunity".
- If you don't have any symptoms, you don't need hormones. Creams or herbal products may also help with some symptoms.
Gynecologist Dr. Bettina von Seefried advises women in hormone coaching sessions and better-aging consultations. "Women with symptoms need to be relieved of their fear of hormone replacement therapy (HRT)," she emphasizes. Years ago, HRT was associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, but that has since been revised. "Today's studies show that there is no increased risk if hormones are taken for up to five years during menopause. If you take them for longer than that, it could possibly be increased," the doctor explains.
The favorable window of opportunity
"Many women come to us asking what they can do to get through the menopause smoothly," she says. Symptoms such as sleep disturbances, irritability or hot flashes can begin about five years before the last period. "We know that now is the ideal time to start replacement therapy. It has been clearly proven that a woman who starts taking hormones for five years during this favorable window - i.e. between the ages of 50 and 55 - will live longer," says Dr. von Seefried. This is because of the protective effects: They prevent osteoporosis and diabetes and promote heart health. In addition to replacement therapy, there are drugs that help with individual symptoms. Dr. von Seefried encourages women to try them: "There's no need for an eyes-to-the-wall strategy."
Menopause and hormone types
There are traditional and bioidentical hormones. The bioidentical ones are often confused with the more natural ones. "Both are produced in the laboratory and come from the yam root," explains the gynecologist. "The only difference is that bioidentical hormones are administered in their active form, whereas the body produces the active form of the classic hormones itself". Both types have been approved by Swissmedic.
Not all hormones that can be used during menopause have to be taken orally. In addition to tablets and capsules, creams and gels are also available. "If a woman has no symptoms other than vaginal dryness or an irritable bladder, there is no reason to start whole-body hormone therapy. A vaginal estrogen cream is perfectly adequate," says Dr. von Seefried. Like the pill, oral estrogen increases the risk of thrombosis. Women with a family history of this are therefore better off taking the hormone as a cream through the skin.
Better aging and a gentler menopause
Changing your lifestyle to a "healthy" one during these years is worthwhile. Dr. von Seefried lists all the things that can help you get through the change as smoothly as possible: "More sleep and more exercise, less alcohol and less coffee. Give up nicotine completely. And lots of love and zest for life.
For many women, the menopause marks the beginning of a new phase in their lives, including more time for themselves after a long period of focusing on their families.
According to Dr. von Seefried, starting with more exercise, relaxation or yoga often leads to a healthier lifestyle overall. Techniques such as acupuncture or herbal products, such as those containing melissa extract, can help with individual menopausal symptoms.
Melanie Oetting
Medical journalist Melanie Oetting would like to live to be a hundred. She is particularly interested in researching lifestyle-based prevention options. As a trained physiotherapist and yoga teacher, she has knowledge of conventional, complementary and eastern medicine. In her articles, she takes an integrative approach to bringing together the best of both worlds to enable readers to make informed decisions.