Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) involves taking medications that contain female hormones like estrogen and progesterone to treat symptoms of menopause. The main medications used for HRT are:
- Estrogen: Helps relieve hot flashes, vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex, sleep problems, and mood changes. Types of estrogen used include:
- Conjugated equine estrogens (Premarin)
- Estradiol
- Oral (tablets like Estrace, Activella)
- Transdermal (patch like Climara, Vivelle-Dot, Menostar)
- Vaginal (cream like Estrace, ring like Estring)
- Progesterone: Helps protect the lining of the uterus from overgrowth and cancer if a woman still has her uterus. Types include:
- Progesterone (Prometrium)
- Progestins like medroxyprogesterone (Provera) and norethindrone (Aygestin)
Some HRT medications combine estrogen and progestin into a single pill. These combination medications include:
- Estrogen and progesterone (Prempro, Premphase)
- Estrogen and progestin (Femhrt, Activella)
Other aspects about HRT medications:
- Come as pills, skin patches, gels, sprays and creams/rings for vaginal use
- Dosage can be adjusted based on symptoms
- Both bioidentical and synthetic hormones used
- Required to be at lowest dose to relieve symptoms
- Treatment is individualized based on patient's concerns and medical history
Vitality Hormone Center provides comprehensive
hormone replacement therapy to help women relieve menopausal symptoms and promote wellbeing during the transition to menopause. Our board-certified medical providers specialize in HRT and precision balancing of hormones using cutting edge testing and the latest bioidentical hormone preparations. Contact us today for a consultation!
Some key points about the different medication options for HRT:
- Estrogen
- Relieves hot flashes, night sweats
- Vaginal estrogen helps painful sex
- Estradiol patches/gels avoid first pass liver metabolism
- Oral estrogen increases risk of blood clots
- Progestins
- Protect against uterine cancer
- Newer ones like drospirenone (Angeliq) have less side effects
- Testosterone
- May help libido, energy levels
- Can be added to HRT in women with low levels
- Bioidentical hormones
- Plant-based, similar structure to hormones made in body
- Custom compounded based on hormone levels
- Research on risks/benefits still ongoing
Health risks to consider:
- Estrogen progestin therapy
- Increases breast cancer, heart attack, stroke and blood clot risks after 5-7 years (Women's Health Initiative Study)
- Estrogen-only therapy
- Increases stroke and blood clots risk
- Safe for breast and uterus if woman had hysterectomy
The
type, dosage and combination of HRT medications needs to be tailored to the individual patient, considering:
- Level of menopausal symptoms
- Personal and family health history
- Results of hormone blood tests
- Presence of uterus, ovaries or breast cancer risk
Monitoring on HRT:
- Yearly breast and pelvic exams
- Regular mammograms
- Monitoring blood pressure
- Bone density tests
- Yearly labs to monitor hormone levels
The providers at
Vitality Hormone Center stays up-to-date on the latest research and guidelines on
hormone therapy to develop customized plans to relieve symptoms while minimizing risks.
Contact us for a consult to review HRT options best suited for your situation.
