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Mistakes Women Make Concerning HRT

Taking hormone replacement therapy, also called HRT, is often not enough to combat the symptoms of menopause. Women looking to reduce the severity and frequency of hot flashes, anxiety attacks, night sweats and mood swings, need to take other steps to make sure they are following recommendations to feel better during menopause. There are common mistakes women make when fighting menopause and taking hormone replacement therapy.

It is important when taking any prescription medication to closely follow the direction given by the doctor. Most doctors will not only advise women on replacement hormones to take the prescriptions everyday, but will also recommend that menopausal women take good care of themselves by getting regular medical check ups, eating right and getting plenty of exercise. Following these recommendations can help a woman taking HRT to get the maximum benefit of the prescriptions.

Self-medicating: This is a common mistake that women make when taking hormone replacement therapy. Many women will not take their medication on a regular basis or will only take the medication when they feel symptoms. This is not how hormone replacement therapy is designed to work. When taking replacement hormones it is essential to take the prescriptions exactly how the doctor prescribes it. In fact, replacement hormones work best when there is a constant, steady dose through the body. This makes symptoms of menopause less frequent and women will not experiences the ups and downs when medicating is not taken properly.

Not making follow-up appointments: Women taking hormone replacement therapy should always follow their doctor's recommendations concerning follow up medical appointments. There are side effects of taking replacement hormones such as increased risks of breast cancer and endometrial and uterine cancer. Because of these risks, it is very important for woman to go to regular check ups for screening and medical advice. Doctors will closely follow up on women taking HRT to look for the signs of these risks. In addition, doctors want to see women on replacement hormones on a regular basis to make sure the prescriptions are working correctly.

Not eating right: Women taking hormone replacement therapy can help by eating a healthy diet. Eating right can help by allowing women to take the lowest dosage possible. Also, a healthy diet including fresh fruits and vegetables, soy protein, dairy products and low fat foods can help alleviate the symptoms of menopause. When a woman's body begins to change, her metabolism slows down. Eating right can help keep off extra weight.

Not exercising: Exercise is also very important during menopause and while taking hormone replacement therapy. Women can suffer from stress, panic attacks and insomnia. It has been shown that regular exercise can help relive stress and can allow a woman to rest better at night. This leads to a more balanced and healthy life. Research has shown that strenuous exercise is not necessary to gain the benefits. Around twenty minutes of light exercise each day can be beneficial. Woman can incorporate brisk walking, yoga, stretching exercises, swimming and even treadmill walking to their daily activity.