Week of Menopause: what hormone supplementation can do for you
During Menopause Week, extra attention is being paid to a phase that is still not talked about openly enough. This is remarkable, because menopause symptoms can have a major impact on how you feel, sleep and function - at home and at work. (weekvandeovergang.nl)
What is menopause?
The menopause occurs when your body makes less estrogen. You may then experience hot flashes, night sweats, worse sleep, mood swings and vaginal dryness. Not everyone has the same number of symptoms. Sometimes lifestyle advice is helpful, but sometimes the symptoms are so obvious that treatment with hormones may be a good choice.
When can hormone supplementation help?
Hormone supplementation can help if you suffer a lot from hot flashes and sweating, especially if it interferes with your daily life. According to Thuisarts, the NHG Standard and the Pharmacotherapeutic Compass, the doctor can choose tablets with you, or estradiol through a patch, gel or spray. Do you still have your uterus? Then usually a progestogen is also needed to protect the uterus. If your uterus has been removed, then often only estrogen is enough. Usually you will notice a difference after 2 to 3 weeks, and after about 3 months the effect is better assessed.
What remedies are available without a prescription?
Without a prescription, you can mainly use remedies for vaginal dryness. Think of a lubricant, a moisturizing gel or a gel with hyaluronic acid. These remedies work quickly and do not contain hormones. They are intended for local symptoms, such as dryness, irritation or pain during intercourse. There are also supplements for menopause freely available, such as products containing silvercress or phytoestrogens. Still, these are not first choice. The Pharmacotherapeutic Compass advises against them because they have not been well demonstrated to help or even be harmful.
What medications do you get on prescription from your doctor?
Hormone supplementation for hot flashes and night sweats is given on prescription through your doctor or specialist. Examples are estradiol alone, or estradiol in combination with a progestogen such as dydrogesterone or progesterone. For complaints of vaginal dryness, the doctor may also prescribe a local hormone, such as estriol or estradiol cream or vaginal tablets. These agents are intended for complaints of the vagina and do not help with hot flashes.
When is extra consultation important?
Hormone supplementation doesn't suit everyone. Have you had breast or uterine cancer, thrombosis, a heart attack, a stroke, unexplained vaginal bleeding or liver disease? If so, hormones are often not appropriate or require additional assessment first. If you have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, migraine or obesity, then a patch, gel or spray may sometimes be more appropriate than tablets. This is precisely why good coordination with GP and pharmacy is important.
The role of pharmacy in hormone supplementation
As a pharmacy, we help you use your medications safely. We check if your medication goes well with other medications, if the dosage is correct and if there are any contraindications or interactions. This is especially important with hormone supplementation, because some drugs affect each other. The great advantage of the local pharmacy is the close cooperation with your doctor: we know you, your doctor knows you and you know us. So we can consult quickly if something changes. We are the trusted pharmacy in the neighborhood, with the added advantage that with us you can also arrange everything online. This way you combine personal contact with the convenience of online service. (KNMP)
Learn more at Thuisarts.nl about menopause and Apotheek.nl about menopause complaints.
Questions? Feel free to ask. We're happy to help.
