Hormone Replacement Therapy

What should I know about hormone replacement therapy (HRT)?

Hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, is one of the treatments that relieve symptoms of menopause. Menopause is the stage of life that marks the end of your menstrual cycle. It occurs when your ovaries stop making the hormones that control your cycle: estrogen and progesterone.

Changes in hormone production affect physical and emotional well-being, causing:

• Hot flashes
• Difficulty sleeping
• Fatigue
• Unexpected mood changes
• Vaginal dryness
• Pain during sex

Hormone replacement therapy provides the hormones your body needs to restore balance. You can have estrogen-only or estrogen and progesterone hormone replacement therapy.

HRT is available in many forms, including pills, creams, and pellets. The Women's Clinic is a female-focused primary care practice that specializes in hormone replacement therapy. 

What are the benefits of HRT?

The Women's Clinic uses HRT to reduce symptoms of menopause. Though results vary, you may experience relief from hot flashes and vaginal dryness. HRT may also improve libido and mood.

However, one of the biggest benefits of hormone replacement therapy is bone health. Estrogen plays a major role in the body’s bone-building process. When estrogen levels decline, bone loss outpaces bone growth, causing the bones to weaken and thin, increasing the risk of osteoporosis. 

HRT may reduce the rate of bone loss and related health risks.

How long do I need hormone replacement therapy?

The team at The Women's Clinic closely monitors your hormone replacement therapy to determine the length of treatment. They prescribe HRT in the lowest dose that provides the best relief from symptoms. 

There’s no set time frame for how long you remain on HRT, but they discontinue therapy when the risks outweigh the benefits.

Is hormone replacement therapy safe with heart disease?

The Women's Clinic team talks at length about the risks and benefits of HRT before moving forward with therapy. They may not recommend HRT if you have or are at risk of having heart disease.

You also shouldn’t take HRT if you have a history of breast or endometrial cancer, blood clots, or liver disease.

The team at The Women's Clinic can talk to you about non-hormonal treatments for menopause symptoms, such as low-dose antidepressants or gabapentin, if HRT isn’t a good fit for you. There may also be supplements you can take and diet adjustments you can make to calm menopause symptoms from hormonal imbalance.

Call The Women's Clinic today or use the online booking button to schedule your hormone replacement therapy consultation.