Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) involves supplementing hormones that decline naturally with age. It can help alleviate unpleasant menopausal symptoms and promote general well-being as we get older. There are several types of HRT available:
- Estrogen therapy - Usually taken as pills, patches, gels, rings, or creams. Helps relieve hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and may prevent bone loss and fractures.
- Progestin therapy - Typically combined with estrogen. Can protect against uterine cancer if patient has a uterus. Comes as pills, shots, IUDs, and vaginal rings/gels.
- Androgen therapy - Supplements testosterone levels that drop in men over 50 and in some women. Can be taken as shots, patches, pills or gels. Boosts libido, energy, muscle mass and bone density.
- Compounded bioidentical hormone therapy - Hormones derived from plant sources, custom-made to match a patient's need. Claims to have less risks than conventional therapy but more research is needed.
The best HRT approach depends on the individual patient's needs and medical history. Doctors take into consideration:
- Patient's primary menopausal symptoms
- Current health conditions
- Risk factors like family history
- Results of bloodwork, medical tests
Factors guiding HRT recommendations:
- Age - Risks tend to outweigh benefits for women 60 but preference is individualized
- Type of menopause - Surgical vs natural
- Uterus - Those with uterus need progestin to lower cancer risk
- All compounded hormones made on-site
- Sensitivity and IgG food allergy testing
- Nutrition optimization services
- Integrative therapies to reduce side effects
- Ongoing monitoring and dosage adjustments