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Estrogen and progesterone are two hormones that are essential in maintaining female sexual and reproductive health.
As women approach menopause, the levels of the two hormones start dipping, causing a range of uncomfortable physical and emotional symptoms. These symptoms may be mild for some women or severe and life-distracting for others.
The latter group needs to explore solutions that not only relieve the symptoms but also help them live their best life as they go through this natural transition phase.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (aka HRT) is a treatment for women struggling with hormonal imbalance associated with female menopause. HRT helps balance female hormone levels during or towards menopause, relieving menopausal and perimenopausal symptoms.
So, how does HRT work to provide relief? Read on as we demystify HRT, how it works, several natural alternative remedies, and the possible side effects of hormone replacement therapy.
What is Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Hormone replacement therapy is a treatment that uses one or more hormone medications to restore the natural balance of hormones in the female body.
There are two main types of HRT:
- Estrogen-only replacement therapy: It does not contain progesterone. It’s recommended for women who’ve had a hysterectomy or use an intrauterine system.
- Combined HRT: You are given a combined dose of progestin and estrogen. It’s ideal for women who retain their wombs and need to protect the womb lining from being stimulated by estrogen.
Hormone replacement therapy comes in various forms:
- Tablets:The most common way of taking HRT treatment. Both estrogen-only HRT and combined HRT can be administered orally.
- Patches: A good option if you find pills inconvenient. You stick them to any area below your waist and replace them every few days.
- An implant: A rarely explored form of HRT where an implant is inserted under your skin in the lower-abdominal area. They contain enough estrogen to last several months and release it gradually.
- Estrogen gel: Estrogen in the form of a gel that you rub onto your skin, mainly on the inner thigh, shoulder, or upper arm.
- Vaginal estrogen: Also known as local HRT, is available as a cream, pessary, or ring that you apply or place inside your vagina. It only addresses vaginal and urinary symptoms and not other symptoms, like headaches, night sweats, and hot flashes.
HRT is a safe and effective treatment for various menopausal symptoms, including:
- Hot flashes
- Headaches
- Vaginal dryness and itching
- Night sweats
- Tiredness and irritability
- Mood swings
- Decreased sex drive
Natural Alternatives to Hormone Replacement Therapy
Natural alternatives to HRT are available to help relieve the symptoms of menopause without leaving you to deal with the unpleasant short-term and long-term side effects of HRT.
The table below discusses 4 natural alternatives to HRT with examples of each.
| Natural Alternative |
Examples | Description |
| Lifestyle changes |
|
Making certain lifestyle changes during the perimenopausal or menopausal period helps to manage the symptoms. How? By reducing certain triggers, boosting energy levels, and boosting your moods |
| Phytoestrogenic herbs |
|
Phytoestrogens are estrogens present in some plants. They mimic the effects of estrogen, which facilitates the alleviation of menopausal symptoms |
| Natural hormone replacement supplements |
|
Certain nutrients are essential for symptom management If you are not getting a sufficient supply of the nutrients in your diet, then you should try natural hormone replacement supplements |
| Vitamins |
|
Vitamin E has antioxidant properties that help reduce the effects of low estrogen in the body Vitamin B boosts progesterone levels and help to correct hormonal disturbances |
How Hormone Replacement Therapy Works
Hormone replacement therapy works by replenishing the supply of hormones that female or male bodies no longer produce.
In most cases, HRT is used to replace estrogen that your body stops producing during menopause or when you’ve had your uterus removed.
Estrogen deficiency also causes an imbalance in your brain, causing emotional symptoms like anxiety, depression, irritability, and low self-esteem. Estrogen HRT helps to regulate your mood and revert to happier moods.
The increased amounts of estrogen induced by HRT also reduce the frequent periods of heat and sweat and relieve vaginal symptoms like dryness, itching, and burning.
Doctors typically prescribe estrogen along with progesterone or progestin when you’ve not had your uterus removed. That’s because when not balanced with progesterone, estrogen alone can trigger the growth of the uterine lining and increase your risk of endometrial cancer.
Possible Risks and Side Effects of HRT
Although HRT is considered a safe and effective treatment for perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms, it carries significant health risks and side effects.
Common Side Effects of HRT
The side effects of HRT usually improve within the first three months, but if they persist, you should ask for a prescription change from your GP.
These side effects are induced by both estrogen and progesterone:
- Weight gain
- Irregular vaginal bleeding
- Nausea
- Skin irritation; common with gel and patch application
- Headaches
- Leg cramps
- Breast tenderness and enlargement
- Lower abdominal pain
- Depressed moods
Serious Risks of HRT
HRT induces significant health risks, depending on the type of HRT you are on, the period you take it, and your own health concerns.
- Increased risk of endometrial cancer, especially in women who have not had a hysterectomy and are on estrogen-only treatment.
- Increased risk of blood clots and stroke. The risk is higher when using HRT tablets.
- Long-term use of HRT increases the risk of breast cancer.
- Slightly increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, especially in women over 60. The risk increases when using combined HRT, when treatment is administered orally, in high doses, and started late into menopause.
About Bust Bunny
Bust Bunny is committed to helping women feel confident and beautiful in their bodies. We provide you with natural supplements that help reduce hot flashes, anxiety and promote better sleep and natural breast growth.
We have two products that help you alleviate common menopausal symptoms.
1. Bust Bunny Breast Enhancement Supplement
This natural supplement pill is recommended for increasing breast size and firmness. That’s because it contains estrogen, which ensures your breasts remain shapely, hydrated, and elastic.
Consequently, using the supplement pills created from scientifically researched herbal extracts increases your estrogen supply, which helps eliminate perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms.
The Bust Bunny Natural Bust Enhancement formula combines natural herbs with natural hormones to provide relief from menstrual and menopausal symptoms.
Some of the essential ingredients in the formula that help with menopausal symptoms include:
- Black cohosh
- Fenugreek
- Red clover
- Wild yam root
- Fennel seed extract
The product is made in the USA in a GMP facility, and many of our customers love that it’s all-natural, vegan-friendly, and gluten-free.
An all-natural product that works!
I’d like to say how happy I am with Bust Bunny vegan pills. I have fullness and an increase in size. I am very happy with your product and just put in for my second order! I love that it is all-natural 😀
– Heather C, USA
2. Bust Bunny Hormonal Balance Supplement
Shawn, our founder, discovered the need to manufacture a natural hormonal balance supplement that would help his mother combat menopausal symptoms.
Together with our manufacturing partner, they started by carefully selecting phytoestrogenic herbs and botanicals. These natural ingredients include:
- Red clover
- Maca root
- Ginger root
- Chamomile
- Black cohosh
- Vitamin E
- Shatavari
- Ashwagandha
- Angelica sinensis
They then got into the lab to produce a natural and effective formula that’s gentle on your body and the environment.
The Bust Bunny Hormal Balance Supplement formula balances your hormones to relieve menopausal and PMS symptoms.
As intended, it helped Shawn’s mother feel less anxious, relieving hot flashes, insomnia, and also got her off prescription medicine.
And the best part—she’s not the only one who’s benefitted.
Needed an organic product for hormone replacement. This one offers vegan options. Great product.
– Gail Langford
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know I need HRT?
Perimenopausal or menopausal symptoms are tell-tale signs that you need HRT.
Is there anyone who should not take HRT?
Hormone replacement therapy is usually recommended if you:
- Struggle with blood clots
- Suffer from abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Know or suspect you’re pregnant
- Have liver disease
- Have untreated high blood pressure
- Have a history or increased risk of breast or endometrial cancer
How long should I take HRT?
Many women stop taking HRT treatment once their menopausal symptoms pass. Hence, there’s no specific limit on how long you can take HRT.
However, specialists recommend an annual treatment review and say that doctors should advise women taking HRT for more than five years on the long-term risks of the treatment.
You can overcome these risks by opting for natural hormone replacement alternatives.
Our Bust Bunny Hormonal Balance supplements will naturally balance your hormones to relieve menopausal symptoms and make you feel like yourself again.
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