Menopausal Hormone Therapy for Perimenopause and Menopause: Pros, Cons & Choosing What’s Right For You
Minal Patel - Naturopath & Food Scientist | Bhimble Wellness
Are you confused about whether to start Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT)?
MHT is now the new term for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).
If you’re feeling confused about whether or not to start MHT, you are not alone. There are so many women who do feel confused when making this decision.
There’s no “one-size-fits-all” answer when it comes to taking MHT for perimenopause and menopause. The most important thing is that you weigh up your options to make an informed, supported and empowered decision that feels right for you.
Here are a few pros and cons that may be helpful to consider whether MHT is for you or not.
Some Pros of MHT
1. MHT May Help Ease Symptoms
For many women, MHT can make a noticeable difference quite quickly to reducing or easing their symptoms.
Symptoms like:
- Anxiety
- Mood swings
- Poor sleep
- Hot flushes
- Heart palpitations
- Brain fog
- and feeling emotionally overwhelmed
…may start to feel more manageable.
When you’ve been feeling exhausted and unlike yourself for months or even years, that relief can feel huge.
2. MHT May Help Stabilise Hormonal Fluctuations
One thing many women don’t realise is that perimenopause isn’t always about low hormones it’s often includes wildly fluctuating hormones for a period of time. That roller coaster of hormones can leave you feeling anxious, emotional, flat, irritable or completely out of balance.
MHT can sometimes help smooth out those hormonal ups and downs, which is why some women describe finally feeling calmer, steadier and more like themselves again.
3. MHT May Improve Your Overall Quality of Life
When your sleep improves, your anxiety settles and your mood feels more stable, everything else tends to feel easier too.
Work feels more manageable. Relationships improve. You have more patience, more energy and more capacity to enjoy life again.
Some Cons of MHT
1. MHT is Not Suitable For Everyone
MHT isn’t recommended for all women if you have certain medical conditions or health risks.
Some health risks include:
- Blood clotting disorders
- History of breast cancer
- Certain liver conditions
This is why personalised medical advice is so important. What works beautifully for one woman may not be the best option for another.
2. There Can be Side Effects With Taking MHT
Like any medical treatment, MHT may come with side effects when you first starting taking it or adjusting doses.
Some women experience:
- Bloating
- Breast tenderness
- Headaches
- Mood changes
For some women, these side effects settle over time. For others, it may take trial and error to find the right type of MHT or correct dosage for them.
3. MHT Doesn’t Address The Root Cause
This is the piece I think is so important to talk about. MHT can be amazing for symptom relief and for some women, genuinely life-changing, but it doesn’t address the underlying imbalances happening in the body.
Some imbalances include:
- Chronic stress
- Poor gut health
- Blood sugar imbalance
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Nervous system dysregulation
- How your body detoxifies and processes hormones.
This is why I always encourage women to look at the bigger holistic picture too. I can help you with correcting these imbalances.
Should I Take MHT?
Only you can decide that and you don’t need to rush the decision.
Take your time, ask questions, do some research and get the right support around you.
MHT is not “good” or “bad.” It’s simply one tool that may or may not be right for you.
What matters most is that you feel supported, informed and empowered in your menopause journey because you deserve to feel well.
Are You Ready for Support?
You don’t have to figure it all out on your own.
If you’d like to have a chat with me about your symptoms, your options and how to support your body naturally through perimenopause and menopause, I’d love to support you.
Sometimes even one conversation can help you feel clearer, calmer, and more confident about your next steps.
Book a complimentary Hormonal Wellness Discovery Call to find our more
With love & understanding,
Minal xx