Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a treatment that replenishes hormones when your body is not making enough on its own. HRT can help relieve unpleasant menopause symptoms and has additional health benefits for some people.
HRT is most commonly used to treat symptoms related to menopause in people assigned female at birth (AFAB). As AFAB people reach menopause, their estrogen and progesterone levels decline. This often causes symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood changes, trouble sleeping, and bone loss. HRT replaces the hormones that the body stops making during menopause to alleviate these symptoms.
HRT may also be used to treat hypogonadism or primary ovarian insufficiency (POI). Hypogonadism occurs when the ovaries do not produce normal amounts of sex hormones due to disease, radiation/chemotherapy, genetics, or unknown causes (idiopathic). POI, previously known as premature ovarian failure, happens when the ovaries stop functioning properly before age 40. Both conditions cause menopausal symptoms at a younger than normal age, so HRT can help manage symptoms.
Transgender people assigned male at birth may use HRT to assist with gender transition. For transgender women (male-to-female), HRT often consists of estrogen and anti-androgens to induce desired secondary sex characteristics like breast growth, decreased body hair, and redistribution of body fat. The goal is for the person’s body and appearance to better align with their gender identity.
HRT has additional health benefits for certain populations:
- For postmenopausal people with an intact uterus taking systemic estrogen, combining it with progesterone lowers cancer risk
- Estrogen therapy after menopause can help prevent bone loss and fractures
- For younger postmenopausal people or those prematurely induced into menopause, HRT may reduce risk of heart disease if taken before age 60 or within 10 years of menopause
However, HRT does have
some risks, like blood clots, stroke, breast cancer, and gallbladder disease. The timing of starting HRT, existing risk factors, dosage, and duration of treatment can impact these risks. Anyone considering HRT should have an in-depth discussion with their healthcare provider about their individual situation to weigh potential benefits and harms.
At Horizon Hormone Therapy(), we specialize in customized bioidentical hormone therapy to help relieve menopause symptoms and promote long-lasting health. Our caring providers create individualized plans to address your needs and goals with natural hormones identical to those your body produces. We offer telehealth appointments for your convenience. Contact us today to see if our hormone balancing services are right for you!
In summary,
the main groups that HRT is intended to treat are:
- Postmenopausal AFAB people with moderate to severe menopause symptoms like hot flashes, vaginal atrophy, and sleep disturbances
- AFAB people who have experienced premature or early menopause due to medical interventions, genetics, or unknown causes
- Transgender women undergoing gender transition
HRT may also provide protective health benefits against heart disease, osteoporosis, and certain cancers for some populations if timed appropriately. But risks still exist, highlighting the importance of discussing options thoroughly with your healthcare provider to determine if hormone therapy is suitable for your individual circumstances. Reach out to our caring medical team at Horizon Hormone Therapy to learn more about bioidentical HRT today!
