Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a treatment that supplements hormones when the body is not making enough on its own. HRT can help relieve symptoms of menopause and address hormone deficiencies. There are a few different types of HRT to consider:
- Estrogen therapy - Estrogen levels drop during perimenopause and menopause, leading to symptoms like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and mood changes. Estrogen therapy supplements estrogen to help manage these symptoms. It can be taken as a pill, skin patch, vaginal cream, or vaginal ring.
- Progestin therapy - For women with a uterus, progestin is typically prescribed along with estrogen. Progestin helps protect the uterine lining from potential overgrowth that can lead to cancer. Like estrogen, progestin comes in various forms including pills, patches, and intrauterine devices.
Bioidentical hormones refer to man-made hormones that are structurally identical to those made naturally in the body. There has been growing interest in bioidentical hormones, which come from plant sources and can be custom-made by a specialty pharmacy.
Advocates believe bioidentical hormones:
- Relieve menopausal symptoms
- Cause fewer side effects
- More closely mimic the body's own hormones
However, large-scale studies are still needed to confirm these proposed benefits over conventional hormones.
Some
key factors to consider when exploring hormone therapy options include:
- Your age and menopause status - The risks and benefits associated with hormone therapy differ for women in perimenopause versus postmenopause.
- Your symptom profile - The type of hormones that are right for you may depend on the specific symptoms you are looking to address.
- Your medical history - Certain conditions like blood clots, heart disease, breast cancer and liver disease may impact which hormone options are appropriate.
- Your uterus status - Having an intact uterus determines whether you need combination estrogen plus progestin therapy versus estrogen alone.
Th
ough lifestyle changes don't always eliminate bothersome menopause symptoms, many women have success using techniques like:
- Natural remedies: Phytoestrogens, herbal supplements, vitamins
- Cooling techniques: Lightweight clothing layers, cold packs, fans
- Stress relief: Yoga, meditation, deep breathing
- Staying active and eating a nutritious diet
Integrating these strategies into your routine can allow you to better manage symptoms alongside hormone therapy - or in some cases, without medication.
At Vitality Hormone Clinic, our practitioners specialize in precision hormone balancing for men and women. We provide cutting edge testing to identify your unique hormonal deficiencies and imbalances. Based on your test results and symptom evaluation, our experts design fully customized treatment plans using bioidentical hormones and other proven therapies to restore optimal wellbeing. Contact us today to learn more and schedule your consultation.
I hope this overview on HRT options gives you a helpful starting point for discussions with your doctor about managing menopausal or low hormone symptoms. There are pros and cons to each approach, so being informed on the latest evidence will allow you to make the most appropriate choice for your individual health status, goals and preferences. Best of luck finding the optimal treatment regimen for you! Please let me know if you have any other questions.
