Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), also known as hormone therapy (HT), involves using medications containing female hormones to treat common symptoms of menopause. HRT can effectively treat hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex, sleep disturbances, and mood changes.
Women experiencing moderate to severe menopause symptoms that significantly disrupt daily activities may benefit from HRT. Your doctor can help determine if HRT is suitable for you based on your medical history and hormone testing.
The key benefits of HRT include relief of disruptive menopausal symptoms, reduced bone loss helping prevent osteoporosis, and potential cardiovascular benefits when initiated early in menopause. HRT helps many women feel more like themselves again.
Like any medication, HRT does come with potential side effects and risks. These may include breast tenderness, nausea, headaches, or vaginal bleeding. Serious risks like blood clots, stroke, and certain cancers are rare in healthy women starting HRT under age 60. Your doctor can advise on your personal level of risk.
HRT Administration Methods
Hormone replacement therapy was once routinely prescribed to women during menopause to relieve symptoms like hot flashes. However, research later found that for some women, the risks of blood clots, stroke, and certain cancers outweighed the benefits, leading many doctors to prescribe it less often.
There are many HRT formulations to choose from including pills, skin patches, vaginal creams, intrauterine devices (IUDs), vaginal rings, implants, shots, and gels. Your doctor will work with you to select the preparation best suited to your needs and preferences.
The most common type of HRT contains the hormone estrogen with or without progestin. Estrogen eases hot flashes, vaginal changes, and bone loss while progestin helps prevent uterine cancer. Various estrogen progestin combinations and doses allow customization of therapy.
Women who have had hysterectomies may take estrogen alone since they don’t require progestins to protect the uterus. Transdermal estrogen patches or tablets are common delivery methods. Dosage can be adjusted based on treatment response and blood tests.
Lifestyle Recommendations for HRT Patients
Eating a nutritious, high fiber diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein can help balance hormones naturally. Limit sugar, refined carbs, alcohol and caffeine which can negatively impact hormones. Stay hydrated by drinking water throughout the day.
Managing stress levels through yoga, meditation, counseling, or other stress reduction activities goes hand-in-hand with HRT for mood support. Set aside time for hobbies, friends/family, therapy, or nature walks – whatever nurtures your mind.
Aim for 150 minutes per week of moderate aerobic activity such as walking, swimming, or cycling which helps regulate estrogen. Include strength training twice a week to build metabolism-boosting muscle and bone. Check with your provider before significantly intensifying exercise habits.
The Benefits of Renew Hormone Institute for Hormone Replacement Therapy
Our clinic’s medical director and staff have over 15 years experience successfully treating thousands of patients with bioidentical and traditional hormone therapy. We stay current on the latest advancements in the field.
We personalize treatment plans based on the patient’s hormone testing results, risk factors, lifestyle and preferences. Hormone levels are monitored throughout therapy and doses adjusted to optimize results.
In addition to HRT, we offer nutritional counseling, stress management guidance, and fitness recommendations to help patients achieve full hormonal wellness from the inside out. We collaborate closely with specialists, compounding pharmacies, and wellness providers to fully support our patients’ needs.
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