What is hormone replacement therapy?

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a treatment that helps reduce the symptoms of menopause. Menopause is the time in a woman’s life when she’s no longer able to get pregnant. It occurs because the ovaries no longer release eggs or the hormones that run the menstrual cycle.

Though every woman’s menopause experience is different, these hormonal changes can affect your physical and emotional well-being. HRT eases these symptoms, improving your quality of life.

What are the types of hormone replacement therapy?

There are multiple types of hormone replacement therapy: estrogen therapy and estrogen-progesterone therapy.

Estrogen therapy

Estrogen therapy is a low-dose estrogen treatment that relieves menopause symptoms and prevents osteorposis. Bay Area Physicians for Women may recommend estrogen therapy for women without a uterus.

Estrogen therapy is given as a pill, patch, cream, vaginal ring, gel, or spray.

Estrogen progesterone therapy

Estrogen progesterone therapy, or combination therapy, combines estrogen with progesterone. You may benefit from combination therapy if you still have your uterus because it reduces your risk of developing endometrial cancer. 

Estrogen progesterone therapy is given as a pill or patch.

Bioidentical hormone pellet therapy

Bay Area Physicians for Women also offers bioidentical hormone pellet therapy. With this type of HRT, your OB/GYN customizes your hormone therapy to match your specific needs. 

What are the benefits of hormone replacement therapy?

Hormone replacement therapy offers many benefits for women struggling with moderate to severe menopause symptoms. These benefits include:

• Reduction in hot flashes and night sweats
• Boost in libido
• Decrease in vaginal dryness
• Better overall sense of well-being

Hormone replacement therapy also benefits bone health, reducing your risk of osteoporosis. Bay Area Physicians for Women uses HRT as treatment for osteoporosis.

Am I a candidate for hormone replacement therapy?

While many women benefit from hormone replacement therapy, it’s not the right treatment for everyone. Your OB/GYN at Bay Area Physicians for Women determines if you’re a candidate for HRT after a comprehensive history and physical.

They may consider you a candidate if you have moderate to severe menopause symptoms or you’re at risk of developing osteoporosis. They may not consider you a candidate for HRT if you have:

• A history of breast or endometrial cancer
• Abnormal bleeding
• A history of blood clots
• A history of a stroke or heart attack
• Heart disease
• Liver disease

Your provider at Bay Area Physicians for Women discusses the pros and cons of hormone replacement therapy, and together you decide if it makes the right choice for you.

To see if you’re a candidate for hormone replacement therapy, call Bay Area Physicians for Women or schedule an appointment online today.