Hormone Replacement Therapy Specialist

What is hormone replacement therapy?

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), is an effective treatment solution for some women who are having difficulties with severe symptoms of menopause.

All women who reach middle age go through menopause, which starts with a perimenopausal phase around the mid-forties when your body’s production of the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone undergoes fluctuations before finally tailing off.

Hormone replacement helps to rebalance hormone levels, reducing the severity of menopausal symptoms.

What types of hormone replacement therapy are available?

There are several options you can discuss with Jennifer when considering hormone replacement therapy for treating menopausal symptoms.

The first option is hormone therapy pills. Estrogen pills are best for women who’ve undergone a hysterectomy, as there is a slight increase in the risk of developing endometrial cancer if you’re taking estrogen on its own.

Combined estrogen and progestin pills are usually the better choice if you haven’t had a hysterectomy, as the progestin, which is a synthetic form of progesterone, helps to reduce the risk of endometrial cancer.

The hormones in hormone replacement therapy medications may be synthetic, or they could come from animal or plant sources. You may have heard of a form of hormone replacement therapy called BHRT, or bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, which uses plant hormones.

Plant-derived forms of hormones are an identical biological match for natural human hormones, which helps your body absorb them efficiently and makes it less likely to reject them. Jennifer is happy to share her expertise with you about BHRT and other forms of hormone therapy, and she can answer any questions you might have.

There are several methods to administer hormone therapy, including:

• Pills
• Estrogen patch
• Cream
• Gel
• Spray

Your symptoms help you determine which strategy for delivery is best. If your main problem is vaginal dryness or atrophy, irritation, or uncomfortable intercourse, then a vaginal ring, cream, or pill could be a good choice.

Does hormone replacement therapy cause any side effects?

There is the possibility of experiencing side effects when taking hormone therapy, such as:

• Bloating
• Swollen, tender breasts
• Headaches
• Mood swings
• Nausea
• Vaginal bleeding

Hormone replacement therapy isn’t likely to be a safe choice if you have a history of deep vein thrombosis, cancer, heart disease, liver disease, or stroke, and there is a slightly increased chance that you could develop a blood clot. 

Jennifer ensures you have all the information you need to make an informed choice when deciding whether hormone therapy is right for you.

Find out more about hormone replacement and the best ways to manage unpleasant menopausal symptoms by calling Luxe Women's Health today or booking an appointment online.