HRT or Hormone Replacement Therapy is effectual in providing symptomatic respite from bothersome menopausal symptoms and its employment for this purpose is wholly validated when the symptoms have an adverse effect on day-to-day functioning.

HRT comprises of administering either a plain estrogen (conjugated estrogen) preparation or a combination of estrogen and progesterone (combo of conjugated estrogen + medroxyprogesterone acetate) advised either on acyclic or continual basis. Alongside HRT treatment, women must be adequately counselled about adhering to proper dietary intake and healthier lifestyle choices.

Ideally, doctors advocate giving lowest effectual dosage for menopausal women that should be used for the shortest duration necessary and the reappraisal of the treatment undertaken at least on a yearly basis. ‘Short interval’ HRT could be considered for close to 5 years and is normally targeted for allaying menopausal symptoms amongst women lying in their early fifties.

If there is a relapse of the menopausal symptoms after halting the hormones, an informed conclusion could be derived to recommence the treatment. The total risk-benefit balance for HRT in women not having menopausal symptoms is not normally favourable. When deemed appropriate, women are guided by the concerned doctor in terms of the absolute risks of the identified unfavourable and useful effects of HRT, instead of the relative risks.

Ideally, well-balanced data regarding HRT must be readily accessible to both clinicians and the mass public, so that symptomatic menopausal women who choose to undergo HRT must be backed by clued-in healthcare professionals.

HRT can additionally be employed on younger women (lesser than 40 years) that experience an untimely menopause, unless contraindicated, for treatment of menopausal symptoms and averting osteoporosis till the age of normally occurring menopause, when the therapy would need a reviewal.

HRT could additionally be employed as an ‘add-back therapy’ when GnRH or Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists are given to avert menopausal symptoms. Women that have undergone a surgical menopause due to bilateral oophorectomy could gain from testosterone replacement in addition to oestrogen particularly for improving libido.

Topical or local application of oestrogen replacement or conjugated oestrogen cream might be needed on a long-standing basis for reversing the symptoms of urogenital atrophy that is a late symptom of oestrogen deficiency. It emerges as a more effectual treatment than systemic therapy in this regard.

In the past four decades, there have been path-breaking advancements in the field of birth control with the women of today empowered with more options than ever before.

The hormone implant is a miniature device inserted underneath the layer of the skin that could be employed as a means of effectual birth control and also additionally as a safe and valuable mode of delivery for hormone replacement therapy.

When employed for birth control reasons, the implant device measuring about four centimetres lengthwise and merely some millimetres wide comprises of a synthetic type of the progesterone hormone generally placed in the inner area of the upper arm that has a steady dispersal rate into the blood stream.

The progesterone hormone aids in averting ovulation by hindering the ovaries from releasing eggs and thickening the cervical mucus lining that acts as a barricade against any sperm entry into the uterus. These duo means are helpful in impeding pregnancy.

Generally the implant is placed on the non-dominant arm of the woman, for instance those that are left-handed would ideally be given the implant on the right arm. The insertion method might necessitate the employment of local anaesthesia and done by means of sterile apparatus.

The positive aspect to this means of contraception is its capability to provide long term birth control. The hormone implant stays in place for nearly 3 years (except in atypical cases when the body refuses it), thus making it the idyllic choice for women that do not plan to have a child in that period of time.

The implant could be taken out prior to 3 years or a new implant be put in its place subsequent to the three years completion. The implant becomes operational almost instantly following insertion and fertility can be restored shortly following its removal.

A great boon for those on oral contraception pills who habitually tend to forget taking their pill during the precise time every single day. It is quite hassle-free as the sole time fact needed for remembering is a new insertion after 3 years. It is additionally believed to guard against uterine cancer and decrease the menstrual discomfort.

After the implant erratic bleeding, drawn out menstrual cycles, lighter or sporadic spotting is noted that usually decrease following the initial year of use.

There is a rare probability of implant rejection by the body which can be substituted to another means of contraception after medical consultation.

After inserting, there might be local inflammation or contusion at the location of implant that subsides in some days and not be considered to be anything grave.

The side effects of the implant could range from a minor degree of bloating, nauseous feeling and headaches that normalise in the initial months. However, if they are recurrent or protracted, then substitute contraception is a prudent choice.

Those ailing from liver ailments, breast cancer, inexplicable erratic bleeding or clots or tissue noted during bleeding prior to insertion should be delved into in detail prior to going in for the implant.

The implant offers no guard against STD’s or sexually transmitted diseases and the implant procedure to be undertaken within the 1st and 5th day of the periods.

Particular medicines alongside the use of implant could meddle with its efficacy. It is always sagacious to enquire with the doctor or the pharmacist regarding any side effect the medication could cause to the implant.