Hormone Replacement Therapy and Menopause: A Nursing Assignment

This nursing assignment report examines hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and its implications for women experiencing menopause. The report discusses the use of HRT, including its benefits in alleviating symptoms like hot flashes and reducing the risk of osteoporosis, while also acknowledging the potential risks, such as increased cancer risk, especially for women over 60. The assignment emphasizes the importance of considering factors like patient medical history, including mood disorders, heart conditions, and previous cancers, when evaluating HRT. It underscores the need for nurses to provide patients with updated clinical information and to consider alternative therapies, such as herbal supplements, to manage menopausal symptoms while minimizing health risks. The report references relevant research and guidelines to support its conclusions and recommendations.

Running head: NURSING ASSIGNMENT
NURSING ASSIGNMENT
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Author Note:

1NURSING ASSIGNMENT
According to Lobo et al. (2016), hormone replacement therapy is used to balance the
oestrogen as well as progesterone hormone in women during the time of menopause. It
should be noted in this context that menopausal hormone therapy or hormone replacement
therapy helps in relieving sweating, hot flashes as well as other symptoms of menopause and
also reduces the risk of acquiring osteoporosis. Hormonal therapy is also used in males who
undergo a sex change. It should be noted that HRT does not suit every individual and every
individual must be aware of the potential advantages and disadvantages associated with HRT
so that they can provide an informed consent. Further, as a nursing professional, the ethical
code of conduct mentions that patients must be provided with consistent and up-to-date
clinical information. A number of research studies reveal that the use of MHT among older
post hyphenate women over 60 years of age lead to the potential risk of developing cancers.
A number of factors such as the clinical manifestation of the menopausal transition and
menopause along with patient’s age must be taken into consideration by the advanced nursing
practitioners. Further a medical history of mood lability or depression, joint aches and pain,
congestive heart disease, osteoporosis as well as cognitive impairment and dementia must be
taken into considering while devising a treatment intervention for fostering recovery. Further,
nurses must also consider a previous medical history of breast cancer, active liver disease,
venous thromboembolic stroke, transient ischemic attack, high risk endometrial cancer or
unexplained vaginal bleeding (Sullivan et al., 2016). Research studies suggest that oral
oestrogens must be avoided in women with active gallbladder disease, thrombophillas such as
factor V Leiden (Arcangelo& Peterson, 2006). Also, transdermal oestrogen is recommended
for women with migraine complaints. It should be mentioned that a number of research
studies have focused on the risk of developing breast cancer or uterine cancer with the use of
HRT. Therefore, the nurse could recommend alternative therapies like consumption of herbal

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supplements to calm the symptoms of menopause and at the same time reduce the risk of
developing cancer and associated fatal health complications.

3NURSING ASSIGNMENT
References:
Arcangelo, V. P., & Peterson, A. M. (Eds.). (2006). Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced
practice: a practical approach (Vol. 536). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN: 978-
1-496-31996-8
Lobo, R. A., Pickar, J. H., Stevenson, J. C., Mack, W. J., & Hodis, H. N. (2016). Back to the
future: hormone replacement therapy as part of a prevention strategy for women at the
onset of menopause. Atherosclerosis, 254, 282-290. DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2016.10.005
Sullivan, S. D., Sarrel, P. M., & Nelson, L. M. (2016). Hormone replacement therapy in
young women with primary ovarian insufficiency and early menopause. Fertility and
sterility, 106(7), 1588-1599. Retrieved from:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs12015-018-9867-0