Hormone Therapy for Menopause

NAMS Confirms Hormone Therapy the Most Effective Treatment for Symptoms of Menopause

Many women still suffer needlessly with uncomfortable and dangerous menopause symptoms because they are afraid to use hormone therapy. But The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) has just reaffirmed that hormone therapy is the most effective and safest treatment for menopause symptoms.

NAMS is recognized by the medical community as the definitive resource for menopause and other midlife healthcare issues. A non-profit organization founded in 1989, The North American Menopause Society is North America’s leading association dedicated to promoting the health and quality of life of all women through an understanding of menopause and healthy aging.

In May of this year (2022) NAMS released “The 2017 Hormone Therapy Position Statement of The North American Menopause Society,” based on an evidence-based analysis the current scientific literature and the recommendations of an Advisory Panel of clinicians and research experts in the field of women’s health and menopause.

The NAMS report stated that for women aged younger than 60 years or who are within 10 years of menopause onset and have no contraindications, the benefits outweigh the risks of HRT for treatment of bothersome “vasomotor” and “genitourinary” syndrome symptoms of menopause and for prevention of bone loss.

“Vasomotor” Symptoms of Menopause

Vasomotor refers to body processes that are related to the constriction or dilatation of blood vessels. Vasomotor symptoms are the most common (and arguably most annoying) symptoms of menopause. They include hot flashes, sudden “flushing” (increase of blood flow) to the face, neck, and chest, and profuse sweating.

“Genitourinary” Syndrome Symptoms of Menopause

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) refers to changes in the genitals, vagina, sexual function and libido, pelvic floor tissues, and bladder.

Genitourinary syndrome symptoms of menopause include vaginal dryness, itching, burning and increased discharge, as well as pelvic pain or pressure, painful sex, reduced lubrication, decreased sexual arousal, urinary incontinence and more.

Position of NAMS on Hormone Therapy for Menopause Symptoms

A video released by The North American Menopause Society last month further elucidates NAMS approval of hormone therapy for menopause.

In that video Dr. Juliana Kling, chair of Women’s Health at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, AZ states that “recent studies have demonstrated that the risks of hormones are low and are far outweighed by the benefits.”

Further, according to Dr. Kling, there is overwhelming evidence that hormone therapy is the most effective treatment for many menopause symptoms, especially hot flashes and night sweats, which are two of the most common and frustrating symptoms of menopause.

The NAMS video goes on the explain that the associated risk of HRT is very low for most women without contraindications for hormones and is associated with the timing of starting hormone therapy. Dr. King expressly stated that: “For most women who are aged younger than 60 years or within 10 years of their last menstrual cycle when they initiate HT, the health risks are very low … Duration of therapy influences that risk, but that doesn’t mean there is a definitive cutoff of 5 years or so for all women.”

The NAMS video went on to state that the potential increased risk related to a longer duration of hormone therapy can often be offset by a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and exercise.

Safe Hormone Therapy for Menopause Symptoms | Scottsdale

Dr. Stephanie Faubion, NAMS medical director, also states in the video that “HT is the best option for management of disruptive menopause symptoms.”

If you are experiencing the symptoms of menopause, it is not necessary to suffer in silence based on unfounded fears of HT. The most important step in understanding how hormone replacement therapy can improve your health is to talk to a doctor at Tutera Medical who is specialized in modern, safe, and effective bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.

Together you and your doctor can determine if hormone therapy could be a beneficial part of your individualized healthcare regimen and menopause management. If you are interested in learning more about whether hormone replacement therapy is right for you, schedule an appointment with the hormone therapy experts at Tutera Medical in Scottsdale, Glendale or Chandler, AZ today.