Hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, is a game-changing treatment for women who are suffering from hormone imbalance issues. You may have heard stories of women who have used HRT to help them manage menopause, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or the transition after a hysterectomy. Keep reading to find answers to your most asked questions about hormone replacement therapy.
1. What Is Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Hormone replacement therapy, commonly called HRT, is a medication therapy that is used to treat conditions caused by changes in hormone levels, such as menopause. It releases estrogen and progesterone into the body through the bloodstream or vaginal tissue. Contrary to what the name suggests, hormone replacement therapy does not fully replace all the hormones your body stops producing due to menopause, hysterectomy, or other conditions. Instead, these medications add a small percentage of the hormones your body made during your fertile years in order to alleviate symptoms.
2. What Are the Benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Hormone replacement therapy is the most effective treatment for relieving menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, night sweats, and recurrent UTIs. It may also be effective at mitigating insomnia, brain fog, and mood swings. In addition to these symptom relief benefits, research has found that HRT may even lower the risk of heart disease, bone loss, diabetes, and weight gain when started within 10 years of your last period.
3. Is Hormone Replacement Therapy Safe?
Back in 2002, a study linked hormone replacement therapy to an increased risk of heart disease and breast cancer. This made a lot of women panic, and doctors stopped prescribing it for a while. That was more than 20 years ago, though. Now, we know a lot more about HRT, and we use bioidentical hormones instead of the synthetic formulas used in the past. Recent research shows that HRT is effective at preventing or reducing hormonally-driven symptoms and may in fact lower the risk of certain health conditions like heart disease. It may slightly increase the risk of developing certain cancers, though, so talk to your doctor about whether HRT is right for you.
4. What Are the Risks of Hormone Replacement Therapy?
The 2002 study mentioned above found that taking estrogen combined with progesterone may increase the risk of breast cancer. However, current bioidentical hormones should not increase the risk of breast cancer, or the increased risk is very small. HRT may slightly increase the risk of blood clots, which is why your doctor should thoroughly review your health history before prescribing this therapy. Overall, the benefits of HRT usually outweigh the risks.
5. Are There Side Effects of Hormone Hormone Replacement Therapy?
The most common side effects of HRT are PMS-like symptoms, such as bloating, breast tenderness, headaches, mood swings, and spotting or vaginal bleeding. Side effects are not usually severe, and changing your dose or switching to a different form may ease them.
6. Who Shouldn’t Use Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Hormone replacement therapy is very effective at treating menopausal symptoms, but it isn’t for everyone. If you have a history of stroke or blood clots, certain heart or liver problems, some types of cancer, or unexplained vaginal bleeding, you may benefit from other treatments. There are non-hormonal medications, lifestyle changes, and dietary supplements that can help your symptoms if you’re not a candidate for HRT.
7. Can I Use Hormone Replacement Therapy After a Hysterectomy?
Hormone replacement therapy is often recommended after a hysterectomy. If your uterus is removed via hysterectomy, you won’t need progesterone to guard against uterine cancer, so you may be prescribed estrogen-only HRT. Studies have found that women under the age of 60 without a uterus who take estrogen HRT within 10 years of menopause experience a lowered risk of breast cancer and other health benefits.
8. When Should I Start Hormone Replacement Therapy?
It’s typically recommended to start HRT within 10 years of your last period. For many women, it makes sense to start at the first sign of menopause symptoms, even if you’re still getting your period in perimenopause. If you start HRT after 10 years of your last period, you won’t get the benefit of a reduced risk of heart disease. However, it may not increase your risk of heart issues, either. Whatever your age, it’s worth considering HRT if menopause symptoms are harming your quality of life.
9. How Long Is It Safe to Be on Hormone Replacement Therapy?
In the past, doctors thought women should end hormone replacement therapy by age 65. However, newer guidelines now state that the duration of HRT should be a joint decision between the patient and healthcare provider. Some women decide to only take HRT for the shortest time necessary to get over the worst of their symptoms, while others feel great taking it and never want to end treatment. As long as your health is good and you’re not experiencing side effects, you can stay on HRT as long as you wish.
10. In What Forms Is Hormone Replacement Therapy Available?
Hormone replacement therapy forms fall into two main categories: systemic and localized. Systemic products circulate through your bloodstream and deliver the medication to all parts of the body. They can be in the form of oral pills, patches, injections, gels, and sprays. These HRT products can help control hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal discomfort, and other menopausal symptoms. You can also opt for a low-dose, localized product that comes in the form of rings, creams, or tablets that are applied in the vagina and only control vaginal symptoms.
Are you interested in learning more about hormone replacement therapy or are you ready to get started? Here at Marcum’s Pharmacy, we utilize saliva testing to measure your hormone levels and work with your physician to compound a unique therapy that’s formulated just for you. Reach out to us today to learn more and get started!
