Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) involves taking medications containing female hormones to replace the ones the body no longer makes naturally after menopause. The main purpose of HRT is to help relieve unpleasant menopausal symptoms.
HRT is generally intended for women going through perimenopause or postmenopause. The hormones involved in HRT help regulate menstrual cycles and can alleviate symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and mood changes. HRT comes in different forms and dosages that can be tailored to each woman's individual needs.
Candidates for HRT
HRT may be recommended for:
- Women going through perimenopause - the transitional stage leading up to menopause when hormone levels naturally fluctuate and decline. Taking low-dose HRT during this stage can help stabilize hormones and improve symptoms.
- Postmenopausal women - HRT remains the most effective treatment option for relieving acute menopausal symptoms, like severe hot flashes and night sweats that disrupt sleep and quality of life.
- Women who have premature ovarian failure or primary ovarian insufficiency - these conditions involve early menopause generally before age 40. HRT can help normalize hormones until the natural age of menopause.
- Transgender women - Taking feminizing hormone therapy that includes estrogen and anti-androgens can help transfemales develop desired secondary sex characteristics.
- Non-binary/genderfluid individuals - Those who don't identify as exclusively male or female may take customized HRT to embrace feminine physical traits.
At Vitality Renewal Clinic, we specialize in personalized HRT programs for perimenopausal, menopausal, and transgender patients. Our compassionate physicians and nurse practitioners help identify your unique needs and goals in transitioning or maintaining your hormone health. We offer cutting-edge bioidentical hormones, monitor your progress and safety, and adjust treatment accordingly so you can feel your best in your body. Contact us today to schedule a consultation!
Types of HRT
There are a few main types of HRT:
- Estrogen therapy - Estrogen tablets, patches, gels, sprays, and rings help relieve hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness. Estrogen alone is generally prescribed if a woman has had hysterectomy.
- Progestin therapy - Progestins are synthetic forms of progesterone taken as pills, injections, intrauterine devices to balance out estrogen. This may be paired with estrogen if patient has uterus.
- Bioidentical hormones - Made from plant sources to be molecularly similar to human hormones. Compounded to meet individual hormonal needs and dosing preferences.
- Androgen therapy - Testosterone prescribed for hormone-related fatigue, sexual dysfunction, muscle loss that persists despite taking estrogen. Available as gels, patches, pellets.
Determining Candidacy
At Vitality Renewal Clinic, your dedicated care team thoroughly vets HRT options tailored to your health, risks, preferences, and goals. We follow evidence-based protocols examining:
- Patient symptoms
- Medical history
- Gynecological exam
- Baseline hormone labs
- Bone density
- Cardiovascular and breast health
We continually monitor your hormone levels, treatment response, and safety on HRT through follow-up assessments and labwork every 3-6 months, adjusting prescriptions accordingly.
Contraindications
HRT may not advised for those with:
- History of heart attack, stroke, blood clots
- Liver disease
- Endometriosis
- Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
- Estrogen-sensitive cancers: breast, ovarian, uterine
- Pregnancy/nursing
However, Vitality Renewal Clinic will still thoroughly evaluate your unique health profile - customized HRT including lower hormone dosing may still be possible in some cases through careful monitoring.
In conclusion, HRT can provide great relief of disruptive menopausal symptoms and help one embrace their best self on their hormonal journey. Those in perimenopause, postmenopause, experiencing premature ovarian failure, transgender, nonbinary, or genderfluid may benefit. But candidacy depends on one's complete health picture and risk factors. Connect with compassionate HRT specialists like
Vitality Renewal Clinic to determine if hormone replacement could help you live fully and comfortably in your body.
