A woman’s quality of life can be severely impacted by menopause, which can also significantly hinder her ability to work. It is crucial to understand your options as you approach this stage of life since women spend around one-third of their lives in postmenopause, when they produce little to no ovarian hormones. If you are seeking professional guidance regarding menopause in Dubai, understanding the transition from ovarian hormone production to the postmenopausal state is the first step toward reclaiming your well-being. Menopausal and postmenopausal women frequently suffer the following symptoms:
- Hot flashes, sometimes referred to as hot flushes
- Sweats at night
- Lightheadedness
- Heart skipping beats and racing
- Shaking
- Being worn out or restless
- Having trouble focusing
- Forgetting things
- Variations in mood
- Dryness in the vagina
- Breast tenderness
- Migraines
- Awakening during the night
Women require both more and functional alternatives. Despite the potential advantages of menopausal hormone treatment, many patients and practitioners are reluctant to utilize it due to outdated scientific research that claims the dangers outweigh the benefits. We go into more detail about menopause treatment in Dubai in this blog article, including its advantages, who is a good candidate, and how it can be tailored to your specific needs. Learn more about why hormone treatment can be helpful for you and get all the answers to your questions about it by continuing to read.
What Is Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT)?
Estrogen therapy, estrogen-progestogen therapy, progestogen alone, and estrogen in combination with an estrogen antagonist/agonist are all included in menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), commonly referred to as hormone therapy (HT). It is a highly effective menopause therapy in Dubai used to treat symptoms rather than simply “replacing” a deficit. It excludes the use of local vaginal estrogen. Hormone therapy was once known as “hormone replacement therapy”; however, “replacement” is not the proper phrase. Menopause is not a state of deficit that calls for replacement. After menopause, hormone treatment is used to treat menopausal symptoms rather than to replace a deficient condition (though there are certain exceptions, such as in cases of premature menopause). Let’s discuss the definitions of progestogens and estrogens.
What Is A Progestogen?
Progestogens are a class of steroid hormones, either synthetic or natural, that attach to and activate our body’s progesterone receptors. For those exploring non-hormonal menopause treatment in Dubai, it is important to note that while progestogens are hormonal, they are essential for women with a uterus to prevent unchecked development of the uterine lining. Thus, a progestogen may be bioidentical or synthetic, such as norethisterone and medroxyprogesterone acetate. Prometrium, a micronized progesterone in the body, is the most often utilized progesterone. Because estrogen alone can promote unchecked development of the uterine lining (endometrium), which can result in endometrial cancer, women with uteruses who are receiving estrogen treatment must take a progestogen. Consequently, endometrial cancer is prevented by the progestogen.
What Are Estrogens?
There are several subtypes of estrogens. Conjugated equine estrogens (CEE) are referred to as nonhuman estrogens. It is administered orally and contains a combination of at least ten active estrogens. Because oral estrogens are riskier than transdermal estrogen, they are being administered less frequently.
Estrone, 17β-estradiol (often referred to as estradiol), and estriol are the three estrogens that the human body produces. When discussing menopause wellness in Dubai, our experts often focus on estradiol as it is the most physiologically active estrogen. The most physiologically active estrogen is estradiol. Only 10% as active as estradiol, estriol is a lesser form of estrogen generated during pregnancy. Because estradiol is 50–70% more active than estriol, estradiol is rarely used in hormone treatment.
What Is The Best Menopausal Hormone Therapy?
Instead of being administered vaginally, estrogen is frequently administered transdermally, or on the skin. To evaluate the menopause treatment options in Dubai, one must consider that vaginal estrogen helps with local dryness but does not lower systemic symptoms like hot flashes. Vaginal estrogen can help women with menopausal vaginal dryness and itching, but it doesn’t lower systemic estrogen levels, which means it doesn’t help with hot flashes or night sweats. In order to preserve the endometrium, estrogen is frequently mixed with a kind of progesterone. Although it can be taken, oral estrogen frequently has additional hazards, such as elevated blood pressure, triglyceride levels, and an increased risk of blood clots and stroke.
Although progesterone can be administered alone to treat night sweats and hot flashes, its main purpose in hormone treatment is to lower the risk of endometrial cancer linked to unopposed estrogen. You take progesterone orally. Endometrial protection is not provided by vaginal or transdermal micronized progesterone.
When Is Hormone Therapy Needed During Menopause
Since the Women’s Health Initiative results were published in 2002, the risks associated with hormones have spread, making many women hesitant to start hormone therapy. But since this research was published in 2002, a lot has changed, and we now know that hormones can be given to women in this stage of life in a safe and efficient manner. Every woman who makes it through middle age will go through menopause, which typically occurs between the ages of 40 and 58. We might think about hormone treatment in the following clinical scenarios:
- Vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes/night sweats): The most effective treatment for vasomotor symptoms, such as hot flashes and nocturnal sweats, is still hormone therapy. Hot flashes and night sweats are 75% less common and far less severe when estrogen is used alone or in combination with a progestogen. Its efficacy is unmatched by any other medicine.
- Sleep: The majority of studies find that hormone treatment reduces subjective sleep disruptions, especially when vasomotor symptoms are present.
- Bone health: Osteoporosis can be prevented with hormone treatment. In particular, estrogen is in charge of stopping bone resorption.
- Vaginal dryness: Local vaginal estrogen can reduce vaginal atrophy-related bleeding and/or spotting, as well as discomfort, irritation, burning, or dryness during intercourse.
If started within a certain window of opportunity, hormone treatment can also assist with other issues, including reduced libido, mood swings, joint and muscle pain, and cardiovascular events.
Contraindications For Menopausal Hormone Therapy
The following are some circumstances in which hormone treatment might not be appropriate for you and some contraindications to it:
- Unidentified irregular genital bleeding
- Estrogen-dependent neoplasia, either confirmed or suspected
- Pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis, either current or past
- Arterial thromboembolic illness (such as stroke or myocardial infarction) that is active or recent (within the last year)
- Disease or malfunction of the liver
- Pregnancy, whether confirmed or suspected
- Progesterone or estrogen hypersensitivity
- Porphyria cutanea tarda
- Known, suspected, or past history of breast cancer, with the exception of carefully chosen individuals receiving treatment for metastatic illness or involving oncology
Hormone treatment can still be utilized in the following circumstances; however, greater care is recommended:
- Endometriosis (which might resurface)
- Aura-related migraine (may exacerbate this)
- Leiomyomas (fibroids may enlarge)
In these instances, seeking the best menopause gynecology clinic in Dubai is vital to explore alternative management strategies that prioritize your safety. In all other cases, your menopausal symptoms may need hormone treatment.
Getting Started With Menopausal Hormone Therapy
To begin hormone treatment, schedule an appointment with one of our physicians who has received further training in the field. To successfully administer hormone treatment, a comprehensive evaluation is required. For proper treatment and care, follow-up consultations are also crucial. To evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of hormone therapy, the first follow-up session is scheduled three months after the start of treatment and again six months later.
According to a study of medical professionals, 50% of doctors in training (residents) said they felt uncomfortable handling menopausal research, and 81% said they had little training in menopause medicine (link to study).
For this reason, it’s crucial to consult a professional who has received further training and can guide you through the complex world of hormone treatment.
Menopausal Hormone Therapy In Dubai
Naturopathic physicians with extra expertise in hormone treatment can start menopausal hormone therapy. Additionally, it might be started with nurse practitioners who have received further training in this field. Making sure you get the right evaluation to determine whether you would be a suitable candidate, as well as the necessary follow-up appointments and treatment monitoring once therapy is started, are the most crucial aspects of a hormone therapy session. Before administering hormones, a baseline level must be obtained by laboratory testing.
Menopause Treatment At EV Clinic
Our doctors at EV Clinic have extensive training in hormone therapy. We firmly think that menopause is a time of life and an opportunity rather than an illness. Effective treatment is available for menopausal symptoms, and some can even be avoided. Additionally, we think that optimal health outcomes depend on educating women at this stage of life. Our goal is to clear up any misunderstandings and provide you with current, reliable information on hormone treatment.
Potential Complications When Doing Hormone Therapy
During your appointment, the possibility of side effects from hormone therapy will be discussed. You will be made aware of the symptoms and indicators to watch out for, as well as when additional testing might be necessary. Among the possible adverse consequences are the following:
- Bleeding in the uterus (beginning or resuming)
- Mood swings (especially while using progestin)
- Tenderness in the breasts (occasionally enlargement)
- Feeling queasy
- Bloating in the abdomen
- Retention of fluid in the limbs
- Corneal shape changes, which can occasionally result in contact lens intolerance
- Headache (sometimes migraine)
- Lightheadedness
- Angioedema
By altering the dosage, the ratio of progestogen to estrogen, the mode of administration, the kind of progestogen or estrogen, or other lifestyle modifications, all of these symptoms can be lessened.
Conclusions
It’s crucial to see a skilled practitioner if you are unsure about hormone therapy. An essential component of giving your informed permission to start menopausal hormone treatment is understanding the advantages and hazards for you. Your doctor’s lack of current knowledge on hormone treatment shouldn’t force you to suffer. Give us a call or make an online appointment with us at EV Clinic in Dubai if you would like more information about hormone treatment. We are excited to collaborate with you!
FAQs
How long after starting hormone therapy do you feel a difference?
The anticipated timeframe for vasomotor symptom alleviation is usually one month after starting hormone treatment. We advise regular use for at least three months to determine the effectiveness of hormone treatment.
Can I take hormone therapy if I’m 62 and it’s been 10 years since my last period?
If a person is over 60 or has not had a period in more than ten years, we do not advise hormone treatment. The dangers are greater than the rewards in these circumstances. This is pretty clear from the scientific literature we currently have. However, you can begin vaginal estrogen treatment, which is not regarded as menopausal hormone therapy and is quite beneficial for vaginal dryness. Since vaginal estrogen is regarded as a local treatment and does not reach the circulation, it will not raise your risk of dementia or cardiovascular disease.
If vaginal dryness and pain with intercourse is my only concern, should I still consider menopausal hormone therapy?
If that's your sole worry, the short answer is no. Local vaginal estrogen is the greatest option in this situation because systemic hormone treatment only relieves vaginal symptoms around 50% of the time. In addition to managing symptoms, vaginal estrogen can aid with urinary incontinence and lower the risk of UTIs. If you have a history of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, speak with your physician.
My menopausal symptoms don’t “bother” me. So do they need to be treated?
This is an excellent question that merits further consideration. You should notify your healthcare physician if you have two or more menopausal symptoms, even if they don't concern you. Menopausal symptoms and cardiovascular disease are related. It has been demonstrated that women who have two or more moderate to severe symptoms are 35% more likely to have cardiovascular illness of any sort and 40% more likely to have a stroke. However, this does not imply causality (cardiovascular disease is not caused by increased menopausal symptoms). Please don't worry; we still need to understand more about this relationship. This ought to be empowering. You can take the appropriate action to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease by being aware that you may have a higher risk. This includes monitoring your blood pressure, addressing dietary and lifestyle modifications, and having yearly bloodwork done with your clinician to evaluate cardiovascular indicators. From a dietary and lifestyle standpoint, there are several things we can do to assist you in enhancing your cardiovascular health.
What is menopause hormone therapy and how does it help?
Menopause hormone therapy (MHT) is a medical treatment used to relieve symptoms caused by declining estrogen and progesterone levels. It helps reduce hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and vaginal dryness. Restoring hormonal balance, it improves sleep, energy, and overall quality of life. It is prescribed based on individual symptoms and medical evaluation.
Who is a suitable candidate for hormone therapy during menopause?
Hormone therapy is generally suitable for women experiencing moderate to severe menopausal symptoms that affect daily life. It is most effective for those dealing with hot flashes, sleep disturbances, or vaginal discomfort. A full medical assessment is required before starting treatment. Personal health history plays an important role in determining suitability.
What symptoms can be improved with hormone therapy in menopause?
Hormone therapy helps manage common symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, fatigue, and memory issues. It also improves vaginal dryness, discomfort during intimacy, and sleep disturbances. Many women report better emotional balance and improved daily functioning. The treatment targets both physical and emotional symptoms of menopause.
How safe is menopause hormone therapy for long-term use?
When prescribed and monitored by a qualified specialist, hormone therapy is considered safe for many women. The risks and benefits depend on age, medical history, and timing of treatment. Regular follow-ups are important to adjust dosage and ensure safety. A personalized approach helps minimize side effects and improve outcomes.
How soon can results be expected after starting hormone therapy?
Most women begin noticing improvement in symptoms within a few weeks of starting hormone therapy. Hot flashes and sleep issues often improve within one month. However, full benefits may take up to three months of consistent use. Regular monitoring helps track progress and adjust treatment if needed.
