Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) involves supplementing hormones that decline naturally with age. It is often used to treat symptoms of menopause in women and andropause in men. HRT delivers hormones directly into the bloodstream via patches, gels/creams, implants, injections, or pills/capsules to supplement low hormone levels.
The effects of HRT differ based on the specific hormones used:
Estrogen
- Thickens the vaginal wall and increases lubrication, relieving vaginal dryness
- Reduces hot flashes and night sweats
- Maintains bone mineral density, reducing osteoporosis risk
- Lowers LDL ("bad") cholesterol while raising HDL ("good") cholesterol
- May improve mood, sleep, concentration, and energy in some individuals
Progesterone
- Protects the uterine lining from overgrowth that may lead to cancer
- May have a mild sedative effect, helping with sleep
- Can cause side effects like fluid retention, nausea, headache
Testosterone
- Increases libido and sexual functioning
- Builds bone, muscle mass, and strength
- Improves mood, alertness, motivation and overall vitality
Side Effects
While HRT can provide relief from menopause/andropause symptoms and long term health benefits, there are potential side effects and risks to consider:
- Nausea, headache, fluid retention, breast tenderness
- Increased risk of blood clots, stroke, heart disease (especially with oral estrogen)
- Increased risk of breast and endometrial cancers
- Skin irritation from patches/creams
Who Should Not Use HRT
Those with the following conditions should avoid HRT:
- History of breast/endometrial/ovarian cancer
- Blood clotting disorder
- Unexplained vaginal bleeding
- Active liver disease
- Coronary artery disease
HRT Regimens
There are many types of HRT regimens using different hormones, doses, routes of administration and schedules.
The regimen prescribed depends on the individual's symptoms, medical history and risk profile.
When initiating HRT, it is usually taken cyclically - meaning hormones are taken for set number of days then stopped to allow withdrawal bleeding similar to a menstrual period. This cyclic regimen helps prevent overgrowth of the uterine lining.
After a hysterectomy, HRT can be given continuously without any bleeding breaks. For
menopausal women with an intact uterus:
- Those taking estrogen alone need progesterone cyclically (10-14 days per month) to protect the uterine lining
- Many take combined continuous estrogen progesterone formulas that eliminate periods altogether
Once symptoms are under control, many switch to lower maintenance doses to minimize risks and side effects associated with long term use.
Monitoring on HRT
Those using HRT should follow up with health care providers regularly for exams, bloodwork and cancer screenings tailored to their regimen and medical profile. Monitoring is key for early detection of potential issues.
Customizing Your HRT
The healthcare professionals at
Vitality Hormone Center specialize in personalized hormone balancing programs for men and women. Their comprehensive approach includes:
- Blood tests analyzing over 50 biomarkers
- Computerized evaluation to identify imbalances
- Custom compounded bioidentical hormones
- Ongoing medical supervision to tailor and adjust treatment
With their cutting edge testing and individualized care,
Vitality Hormone Center helps people achieve optimal hormonal health and an improved quality of life. Reach out today to learn how hormone replacement can help you feel your best at any age.
