The menopause from the perspective of conventional medicine
Dr. med. Helene Bamert-Stoop
July 11, 2023
4 min
Dr Bamert-Stoop, in brief, what happens to the female hormones during the menopause?
The ovary, the main production site of oestrogen and the corpus luteum hormone, ages and produces less and less corpus luteum hormone and, in the course of time, less and less oestrogen. With the menopause, the ovary largely stops working. This decline occurs over a period of years, sometimes fluctuating, sometimes rapidly. Women notice the hormone imbalance and also the hormone deficiency in the form of menopausal symptoms.
What are the causes of symptoms such as hot flushes, urogenital dryness and cycle disorders during the menopause?
Hot flushes are mainly caused by a lack of oestrogen, which temporarily throws the body's thermoregulation out of balance. Urogenital dryness is also due to oestrogen deficiency: The skin becomes thinner, more sensitive, loses elasticity and the muscles of the pelvic floor and urethra also break down somewhat.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of hormone replacement therapy?
The advantages are that hormone replacement therapy has been proven to help reduce symptoms. Patients feel more comfortable in their bodies again. Oestrogen also has a positive effect on bone health and blood vessels. Depending on the patient, however, the risk factors must also be carefully analysed and weighed up, as even healthy patients have a small risk of breast and uterine cancer and thrombosis.
What types of hormone replacement therapy are available?
Oestrogen is available as a gel or patch for whole-body therapy, or only as a vaginal gel or suppository for purely vaginal use. The luteal hormone can be swallowed as capsules or used vaginally. There are also tablets and patches that contain a combination of both hormones. Each patient can receive individualised advice and treatment.
How are hormone replacement therapies usually used?
If the uterus is no longer present, oestrogen alone will be used. If the patient still has a uterus, a combination with a corpus luteum hormone is mandatory. Depending on the preparation, oestradiol is used daily or twice a week. The corpus luteum hormone can also be administered in the form of a hormone coil for 5 years.
Dr. med. Helene Bamert-Stoop
Weitere Beiträge
Counsellor
Inguinal hernia: Everything you need to know - an interview with Dr René Spalinger
An inguinal hernia is one of the most common surgical conditions and affects thousands of people in Switzerland every year. But what exactly happens with an inguinal hernia, what symptoms occur and when is an operation necessary? In this interview, we talk to Dr René Spalinger, who gives us an insight into modern diagnosis and treatment options. He explains what those affected should look out for, which surgical procedures are used today and how recovery can be optimally supported.
Counsellor
Borderline - An insight into the topic with Dr Ruedi Schweizer, MD
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a complex and often misunderstood mental illness. People affected by it struggle with intense emotional fluctuations, an unstable self-image and challenges in interpersonal relationships. But what exactly is behind the diagnosis of borderline? How do those affected deal with the symptoms and how can they be supported? Dr Ruedi Schweizer, an experienced specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy and head of our Centre for Mental Health, answers these questions and more.
Counsellor
Lowering blood sugar: how diet helps with diabetes
Diabetes is affecting more and more people - especially type 2 diabetes. However, a targeted diet can stabilise blood sugar levels and effectively prevent the disease. In our blog post, you can find out how you can actively combat diabetes with simple nutritional tips and why a healthy lifestyle is so important. Read now how you can make a big difference with small changes.