Hormone replacement therapy can be used to treat symptoms of menopause, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and other hormonal imbalances in women. This treatment replaces the hormones that your body is missing, helping to relieve symptoms and get you back to feeling like yourself again. Keep reading to learn more about what hormone replacement therapy is and how you could benefit from it.
What Is Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, is a treatment that replaces some of the hormones that your body is not producing due to menopause or other hormonal changes. For women, HRT medications will usually contain estrogen, progesterone, or both. A compounding pharmacy can customize hormone replacement therapy to meet the specific needs of individual patients. These treatments may be available as pills, patches, sprays, creams, gels, suppositories, or other forms. The best delivery method depends on your symptoms, risk factors, and preferences.
Types of Hormone Replacement Therapy for Women
Hormone replacement therapy for women is most often used to replace estrogen that your body is not producing at high enough levels. If you still have your uterus, you will be prescribed combined HRT that includes both estrogen and progesterone or progestin. This is because estrogen alone can increase the risk of endometrial cancer in the uterus. If you’ve had a hysterectomy, you may be able to take estrogen-only HRT. Aside from the hormones they contain, there are two main types of hormone replacement therapies, and they are:
- Systemic Hormone Therapy: This type of HRT gets into the bloodstream and travels to the organs and tissues where it is needed. Systemic hormone therapy can be in the form of pills, patches, sprays, and gels. These treatments are intended to help with a variety of symptoms of menopause and hormonal imbalance, such as night sweats and hot flashes.
- Local Hormone Therapy: This type of HRT is applied locally to the vaginal area. These treatments can be in the form of vaginal creams, tablets, or rings. They contain low doses of estrogen and are usually used to treat vaginal and urinary symptoms of menopause and hormonal imbalance.
Who Can Benefit from HRT?
If you struggle with symptoms of menopause or other hormonal issues, you may benefit from hormone replacement therapy for women. HRT can help lessen unpleasant symptoms such as:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Vaginal dryness and discomfort
- Sleep disturbances
- Mood swings
- Brain fog
In addition to easing symptoms of menopause, hormone replacement therapy also offers a number of other health benefits for aging women. HRT may reduce your risk of osteoporosis or broken bones as you age. You may also have a lower risk of diabetes. Combination HRT may lower your risk of developing colon cancer. You may even notice improved mood and overall happiness.
Risks of Hormone Replacement Therapy
Like all medical treatments, hormone replacement therapy may come with possible risks. If you still have your uterus and don’t take progestin along with estrogen, you may have an increased risk of uterine cancer. If you start using HRT 10 or more years after menopause, you may be at a higher risk of heart disease. For some women, HRT may also increase the risk of blood clots, stroke, and gallbladder disease. Some women who use HRT for a long time also experience an increased risk of breast cancer. Hormone replacement therapy may not be right for you if you have these risk factors:
- Have or had ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, or breast cancer
- Have had or are at a high risk of blood clots
- Have a history of heart attack or stroke, or are at risk of heart disease
- Have liver or gallbladder disease
- Have abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Are pregnant
What Are the Side Effects of HRT?
There are a few possible side effects you could experience when you start taking hormone replacement therapy. Side effects are typically mild and usually resolve on their own within a few months. If your symptoms are bothersome, you can ask your healthcare provider about adjusting the dosage or form of HRT. Some of the possible side effects may include:
- Mood swings
- Breast tenderness
- Irregular vaginal bleeding
- Headaches
- Bloating
- Increased breast density
- Skin discoloration or irritation if using topical forms
Get Started with HRT at Moore’s Compounding Pharmacy
If you’re experiencing symptoms of menopause or hormonal imbalance that are affecting your quality of life, you may benefit from hormone replacement therapy. Here at Moore’s Compounding Pharmacy, we can create customized hormone formulations to meet your specific needs. If you want to learn more about hormone replacement therapy or you’re ready to get started, reach out to us today!
