What is hormone replacement therapy?

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a medical treatment that helps to alleviate the symptoms of menopause in women. Menopause is a natural transition that occurs as women age, when the ovaries stop producing estrogen and progesterone. This can lead to a variety of symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood swings, and difficulty sleeping.

Have any of these menopause symptoms?

• Hot flashes? Night sweats? Say goodbye! HRT turns down their volume.
• Dryness down there? HRT brings back moisture and comfort.
• Worried about your bones? HRT can make them stronger.
• Feeling moody or anxious? HRT could help you chill.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) FAQs

Is HRT right for me?

Whether HRT is right for you depends on your individual health and preferences. It's crucial to discuss your options with a healthcare professional to weigh the benefits and risks based on your medical history and family history.

How do I know which hormones I might consider?

Based on age, history, symptoms, gender, examination and laboratory values, we will discuss possible options. Oral formulations, topical creams, subdermal implants, and injections will be considered. Learn more about the hormones we may prescribe for males and females.

Is hormone replacement therapy safe?

There are risks which must be considered for HRT. Although all available data does not make everyone a candidate for hormone replacement, there is some data which is compelling with regard to certain patient groups who might benefit. For example:

Study #1  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31888528/ 1267 women prescribed testosterone over ten years experienced more than 50% reduction of expected invasive breast cancer.

Study #2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27179907 71,407 men were evaluated regarding risk of blood clots in legs or lungs. No statistical difference was demonstrated between those who were on testosterone versus those who were not.

Study #3 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28421834 656 men in a VA setting were observed over an average of a seven year period. This observation registry demonstrated that the group of men not treated with testosterone accumulated 57 non-fatal strokes and heart attacks. The similar sized group who were on long-acting testosterone injections experienced 0 non-fatal strokes and heart attacks.

Study #4 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15082697 One criticism of the landmark Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) was that all women enrolled were past menopause, rather than before or in the midst of menopause. “All cause” mortality was similar in post-hysterectomy patients with estrogen treatment vs. placebo. The authors published the overall results including women as old as age 79 which indicated that there was an increase risk of stroke and no cardiac benefit. The WHI was the trial which caused many physicians to rethink routine hormone prescribing habits. However a subset of women ages 50-59 demonstrated favorable trends in this equine estrogen-only treatment. 1637 women were treated and the same number were given placebo and were followed for seven years. This subset demonstrated a trend towards less heart disease, breast cancer and colon cancer.