When considering hormone replacement, women often focus on the symptoms they are experiencing and how the hormones can ease those symptoms. For instance, hormone replacement really helps ease hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings. These are real benefits of hormone replacement, and they do deserve your consideration. However, you should also know about the long-term health benefits of hormone replacement therapy, which include the following.
Reduced Risk of Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition in which calcium leeches from your bones, which leaves your bones brittle and prone to fracture. It is very common in older women, and it seems to be caused or made worse by the reduced estrogen levels that come with older age. Women with osteoporosis are more likely to fracture their hips, ribs, and other major bones if they fall or trip. They are also more prone to small fractures in the spine, which can cause the spine to become compressed over time.
Hormone replacement therapy will help keep your body from leaching calcium from your bones, which will either prevent osteoporosis altogether or keep it from becoming so severe. This is a huge benefit since major fractures are really hard to heal in order adults with osteoporosis. You may be better able to stay active with activities like cycling, hiking, and dancing as you grow older without worrying that you'll develop fractures.
Better Blood Sugar Control
As women age and their estrogen levels fall, they often start to have more trouble keeping their blood sugar levels under control. This can sometimes lead to diabetes. Other times, it just makes existing diabetes worse or leads to unpleasant swings in blood sugar levels. Supplementing with female hormones as you age can help keep your blood sugar under closer control. For some patients, this means they are less reliant on medications to control their blood sugar.
You may also have an easier time losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight when taking hormones, and that is mainly because doing so improves your blood sugar control. You're less likely to have periods of hunger that cause you to overeat an hour or two after a high-carbohydrate meal.
Hormone replacement therapy does tend to help you feel better as you go through menopause, but that's not the only reason to consider it. Hormone replacement can also be a smart choice for those who are at-risk for osteoporosis or diabetes. Talk to your doctor to learn more about these benefits.
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