Hormone Therapy for Women

The transition into menopause is unique for every woman. While some don’t experience troublesome symptoms, the majority do.

During the months leading to menopause, hormone levels fluctuate and decrease which can have a ripple effect on the body. Irregular cycles, hot flashes, night sweats, loss of energy, mood swings, brain fog, sleep disturbances, urinary frequency, vaginal dryness, and pain with sex are just a few of the common signs and symptoms.

For many women in their 40’s and beyond, hormone therapy (HT) is the best way to manage the symptoms associated with menopause. There is no need to suffer  through this transition. We can help you get on the  right path toward physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.

What is Hormone Therapy?

Hormone therapy (HT) for women remains the first-line therapy for the management of bothersome vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes and night sweats), and the benefits typically outweigh the risks for most healthy women when initiated before the age of 60 or within 10 years of the last period.  It effectively increases and  stabilizes hormone levels, treats vasomotor symptoms and can can improve sleep, bone health, vaginal health, and sexual health. Systemic HT when initiated early has been show to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, prevent bone loss and reduce fracture risk.

The dosage and combination of hormones prescribed are determined after undergoing a complete evaluation including : a gynecologic history medical history, family history, physical examination including pelvic examination, mammogram screening, and blood work.

Perimenopause/Menopause Signs and Symptoms

Menopause is a natural part of a woman’s life cycle, but hormonal fluctuations produce a variety of hormonal, metabolic, and neurological symptoms that can be treated with hormone therapy.

If you are experiencing any of the following, it is time to discuss them with a Menopause Specialist and consider treatment. Schedule your Telemedicine Consultation today with Dr. Messore.

What types of Hormone Therapy are available?

We recommend using bio-identical hormone therapies which are made from plant sources and are chemically similar the hormones your body naturally produces. Although some women prefer to use hormone preparations from  custom compounded pharmacies, it is no longer necessary as we now have many FDA approved bio-identical hormone therapies available at the regular pharmacy and covered by the insurance.

Delivery methods for female hormone therapy include transdermal patches, oral tablets or capsules, sprays, creams, gels, sub-epidermal pellets, vaginal rings, and
injections. We do not recommend pellet therapy as they have been associated with more side effects and complications,  have limited scientific data to support their safety, are not FDA approved, and are not supported by the Menopause Society.

The primary types of menopause hormone therapy are:

• Estrogen & Progesterone: For women who have a uterus, combined HT is a safe way to reduce night sweats, hot flashes, and other symptoms assoiated with menopause.
• Estrogen only: For women who have had a Hysterectomy and do not have a uterus.
• Vaginal estrogen: ultra low dose local vaginal treatment that restores moisture to delicate tissues to relieve dryness, itching, frequent urination and pain with sex often associated with the loss of estrogen during menopause.
• Testosterone Therapy: which corrects testosterone deficiency that may contribute to low libido and fatigue.

HRT for menopause Please note systemic HT can be a beneficial for many, but it is not suitable for everyone. Hormone therapy is not recommended if you have a history of blood clots, endometrial cancer, a heart attack or stroke,  breast cancer, have a blood clotting disorder, active liver disease or abnormal vaginal bleeding.  While there are some concerns regarding hormone therapy and the risk of breast cancer, in low doses and treatment for less than 5 years appears to be safe in low risk patients. There also may be some mild side effects such as breast tenderness, headaches, and sometimes bleeding when starting hormone therapy. So it is best to speak with a Menopause Specialist and review all the information and understand the benefits and risks prior to starting treatment.

Call the office or schedule your Telemedicine consultation online with Dr. Messore to find out if you are a good candidate for hormone therapy.