Hormone replacement therapy: what you should know

Doctors prescribe HRT for osteoporosis. Here’s why this is never a good idea., Synthetic hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is commonly prescribed for bone loss and osteoporosis during menopause. What are the risks?

New study claims “HRT doubles risk of breast cancer” — here’s the truth, The controversy over hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and its link to breast cancer risk is back in the news in a big way. What does it mean for you?

Findings on HRT since the Women’s Health Initiative, If you’ve been keeping up with the news, you’re probably aware of the recent questions about risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). These reports, along with new scientific evidence, are leading some women and their healthcare practitioners to reconsider the 2002 mandate to stay off of HRT. We hear this question again and […]

Getting off HRT safely & symptom-free, There has been nearly non-stop controversy surrounding the health risks of hormone replacement therapy (“HRT”) in the decade following the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study. Back then, women by the millions stopped their HRT suddenly — often to find that their symptoms reappeared right away. Many of the big pharmaceutical companies pushed back, criticizing the […]

The real risks of HRT, Hormone replacement therapy has been the subject of intense debate for over ten years. After the Women’s Health Initiative results were published in 2002, women and their doctors feared breast cancer, stroke and heart disease, and so what was once a mainstay for menopause treatment quickly became too risky. Women were immediately taken off of, […]

Bioidentical hormones — a guide to your options and alternatives, Reviewed by Dr. Sharon Stills, NMD In this article Are there natural alternatives to getting off of HRT? Getting natural estrogen Getting bioidentical progesterone Troubleshooting and making adjustments Things to avoid — combination patches or products We’re now more than a decade past the Women’s Health Initiative and the fear of health implications with Hormone […]

Table of natural hormone options for bHRT, Delivery methods: Topical/Transdermal Oral Transvaginal Estrogens: E1 = estrone; E2 = estradiol; E3 = estriol Brand-name choices available through regular pharmacies Most of these products provide only E2 (estradiol) The exception is Bezwecken E3 vaginal suppositories, which deliver 1 mg estriol per suppository Lotion • Estrasorb Gels • Divigel • Elestrin • EstroGel Spray • […]

Talking to your doctor about hormone therapy, Reviewed by Dr. Mary James, ND At Women’s Health Network, we talk with many women who are frustrated with their medical care, especially when it comes to discussions of hormonal imbalance and hormone replacement therapy. Women who are suffering from hot flashes, irritability, sleep disturbances, forgetfulness, anxiety, and more are often told that their hormones […]

A history of hormone replacement therapy, The history behind HRT and new alternatives, such as bioidentical hormones The purpose of hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, is exactly what the words say — hormones are being replaced as a form of therapy for some condition. Today this is often shortened to HT, for hormone therapy, and some believe the two have different […]

Where should I wear my estradiol patch, and how often should I change it?, Q: I’ve been given estradiol patches by my doctor, but I’m not sure how long I should wear them, or if there’s any specific location to wear them. Does it matter where they’re placed? What if they come off? A: Estradiol patches are best worn on hip, low belly, and buttock areas. Be sure to […]

I live in a very rural area. Should I buy a hormone panel over the internet?, Q: I live in a very rural area, and there are no doctors near me who know about bioidentical hormones. I found a hormone panel on the internet that I can use at home. The on-line pharmacy will interpret results for me. Then all I have to do is get a doctor to prescribe it. […]

My doctor wants me to use Provera, but I’ve read it’s a synthetic hormone. Should I?, Q: I’m 43 years old and have started experiencing the beginning stages of menopause. My mother started going through menopause at my age, so I’m not surprised. What bothers me most is that I have three weeks of mild cramps, bloating, mood swings and depression before each period. It feels as though my period is […]

How hard is it to switch from compounding to FDA-approved bioidentical HRT?, Q: I’ve been using compounded bioidentical HRT for a while now, but don’t live near a compounding pharmacy, so I find it inconvenient and somewhat expensive. It seems like it would be so much simpler to use one of the FDA-approved bio-HRT products. Can I make this change safely? A: Most women can convert from […]

Should I start a Hormonal Health Program before weaning off HRT?, Q: I want to stop my HRT immediately and start a Hormonal Health Program. Do I need to be on the supplements for a while first, or can I just start now? A: While we strongly encourage women to begin our Getting Off HRT Hormonal Health Program two to four months before beginning the HRT […]

What about the risks of bioidentical hormone therapy?, Q: There are some scary warning labels on estradiol products and Prometrium. Are these risks for real? Are compounded hormones less risky? A: To answer simply, all hormone replacement therapy has theoretical risks — as does any form of drug therapy. Items made by compounding pharmacies don’t come with FDA warnings, but the potential risks […]

Are changes in periods normal after stopping HRT?, Q: I’m only 45, but my doctor put me on Estratest because I was experiencing low libido. I quit taking it after two months and had a normal period the first month, but I haven’t had one this month. Since going off the Estratest my libido has been quite good. In fact, I feel great, […]

Why am I still getting hot flashes – at the age of 60?!, Q: I haven’t had hot flashes for five years, but now, at 60, I’m experiencing them again as I try to get off HRT. Why is this happening? Am I going through menopause again, or is this going to last forever? A: The use and weaning off of hormone replacement therapy is comparable to dependence […]

What if I can’t afford testing for hormone therapy?, Q: I have been told I need a hysterectomy, and that HRT will be offered to me afterward. My doctor suggested hormone testing before the surgery as a way to learn what my normal hormone levels are, but my insurance policy won’t cover that. I don’t want to spend the money on testing if I […]

I want to get off Prempro — but where do I start?, Q: I’ve been on Prempro for ten years. I’m quite concerned about the potential side effects of synthetic hormones, and now I want off. I started weaning myself and can go three to four days without a hot flash, and they haven’t been unbearable. My question is, is it better or worse to be taking […]

How often should I use my estradiol gel product, and where should I apply it?, Q: I was recommended to use a topical gel form of estradiol, but I’m not sure how often is too often to use it, or where I should apply it for the best effects. Does it make a difference where I use it? A: Topical estradiol products (gels, mists, creams) are typically applied once or […]

How can bioidentical hormones help vaginal dryness?, Q: I suffer from vaginal dryness and frequent urinary tract infections. The discomfort is ruining my sex life! Are there bioidentical hormones that can help? A: It may be the case that you have an estrogen deficiency, which can lead to vaginal dryness and predispose you to frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs). Some women have […]

Suzanne Somers’s books say only blood tests can determine which hormones we need. Is that true?, Q: In her books, Suzanne Somers says you have to get blood work done to determine exactly which hormones you need. Is this only for more severe cases? A: Ideally, we advise all women to get a baseline hormone panel done. You can then have additional hormone testing as symptoms dictate. It’s just so useful […]

What if all my other hormones are low too, besides estrogen?, Q: I’m 51, and my hormone panel showed that my hormone levels are very low — but it’s not just estrogen, it’s ALL of them, including some I didn’t even know I had! But my doctor says all I really need is estrogen and progesterone pills. Since my testosterone and DHEA levels are low, don’t […]

Questions about bioidentical hormones and other forms of HRT, Let’s explore some of the questions we’re frequently asked at Women’s Health Network about HRT. We want to clear up some of the confusion around synthetic, equine–based, and bioidentical forms — and how to figure out what your best options are. 1. My doctor wants me to use Provera. I read that this is a […]