Cyclic hormone therapy

Cyclic hormone therapy is a type of hormone therapy that involves taking estrogen for a set number of days during a monthly cycle, typically for 25 days, followed by a combination of estrogen and progesterone for 10 to 14 days. This therapy is primarily used in menopausal women to alleviate symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness.

Overview

Cyclic hormone therapy is a form of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which is used to replace hormones that a woman's body no longer makes after menopause. The therapy is "cyclic" because the hormones are taken in a cycle: estrogen alone for a certain number of days, then estrogen with progesterone for a certain number of days. This cycle is repeated each month.

Benefits

Cyclic hormone therapy can help to alleviate many of the symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness. It can also help to prevent osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones and makes them more likely to break.

Risks

Like all forms of hormone replacement therapy, cyclic hormone therapy carries some risks. These include an increased risk of breast cancer, heart disease, stroke, and blood clots. However, the risk varies depending on individual factors such as age, overall health, and whether or not a woman has had a hysterectomy.

Alternatives

For women who cannot or do not wish to use cyclic hormone therapy, there are alternatives available. These include lifestyle changes, non-hormonal medications, and natural remedies.

See also

• Hormone therapy
• Menopause
• Estrogen
• Progesterone
• Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

This gynecology related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it.