Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormones…to replace or not to replace?
This has been an ongoing question over the last several decades, and many women and their doctors fear hormones. The inaccurate reporting of findings from the WHI (Women’s Health Initiative) study done in the early 2000s, is significantly to blame for the confusion regarding hormone therapy. There is actually an abundance of research showing the safety of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in the right populations. Not only is HRT safe when used appropriately, but more importantly, the quality of life improvements it provides is priceless.
Estrogen, Progesterone, and Testosterone
Traditionally when doctors have talked about hormone replacement therapy, HRT, they have been referring to estrogen replacement in menopause. While this is a critical component of HRT, it is not the only piece. Women make three sex hormones – estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Each of these hormones declines at different rates and at different stages. Understanding your unique hormonal lifecycle is very important when considering which hormones to replace and when. Your provider at AgeWell will very carefully work with your individual hormone production timeline to tailor your treatment to precisely what you need.
Not all patients need replenishment of all sex hormones, but by evaluating your symptoms, your history, and your lab values, we can help you confidently create a treatment plan just right for you.
The chronic diseases that can come with hormonal decline
Hormones are protective of a woman’s body, and once they decline women have an increased risk of chronic health conditions. Heart disease, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s dementia are “the” three big diseases hormone therapy can help prevent. Additionally, aging skin and genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) are big concerns. GSM is a fancy term that the medical field uses to describe all the changes that take place in a woman’s vaginal area and lower urinary system with hormonal decline. GSM looks like painful intercourse, vaginal dryness, vaginal laxity, bladder leakage, frequent UTIs, irritated labia, and more. You DO NOT have to suffer from these symptoms. Hormone replacement therapy, either systemic or localized to the area, can make a world of difference.
What are you waiting for? Let’s talk about HRT today
You are not broken and you don’t have to suffer in silence. You can replenish your hormones and experience a smooth transition through perimenopause and menopause. We are passionate about helping women navigate this very tumultuous time in their lives. As women in this very stage, we understand the ins and outs of what it is like to feel let down by your body. We know how confusing it is when every doctor is telling you something different. We want to take the time to help you identify your own personal risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy so you can decide if it is right for you. Contact us today to get started on your HRT journey.
START YOUR JOURNEY
You deserve a body you feel good in.
1. Get your labs drawn
We start by understanding what’s really going on in your body and why it’s causing what you’re experiencing.
2. Start your wellness journey
You’ll spend an hour sharing your concerns with your provider, and walk away with an immediate plan of action & support.
3. Like the way you feel
Enjoy confidence, energy,
and vitality as you age well.