Reasons You Should Consider Hormone Restoration Therapy

During menopause, a woman's body naturally produces less estrogen. Hormone restoration therapy (HRT) can replenish these hormones, easing common symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness. HRT also offers bone-protecting benefits, reducing the risk of fractures in postmenopausal women.

In this article, we dive deeper into the workings of Hormone Restoration Therapy and its benefits. 

What Are The Types of Hormone Restoration Therapy?

Hormone restoration therapy (HRT) for menopause comes in two main delivery methods, each addressing different symptom sets.

• Systemic HRT: This approach delivers a higher dose of estrogen throughout the body, typically via pills, patches, rings, gels, creams, or sprays. It's effective in managing a wider range of menopausal symptoms.
• Low-Dose Vaginal HRT: This option uses creams, tablets, or rings to deliver a minimal amount of estrogen directly to the vaginal area. This minimizes systemic absorption and is suitable for targeting vaginal and urinary symptoms specifically.

The type of HRT you receive depends on whether you have had a hysterectomy (uterus removal).

• For women with a uterus: Doctors typically combine estrogen with progesterone or progestin (a synthetic progesterone). The addition of progesterone or progestin to estrogen therapy is crucial for women with a uterus. Unbalanced estrogen can stimulate the growth of the uterine lining, increasing the risk of endometrial cancer. Progesterone helps counteract this effect by promoting a healthy balance in the uterus.
• For women who have had a hysterectomy: Progesterone or progesterin may not be necessary since the uterus is no longer present.

Benefits of Hormone Restoration Therapy

HRT offers several potential health advantages for women experiencing menopause.

1. Strengthens Bones: Estrogen plays a critical role in bone health. With declining estrogen levels during menopause, women are more susceptible to osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones and makes them prone to fractures. Hormone restoration therapy can help by supporting bone density, potentially lowering the risk of developing osteoporosis
2. Eases Menopausal Symptoms: Hot flashes, night sweats, and disrupted sleep are common and often disruptive symptoms of menopause. HRT helps regulate estrogen and progesterone levels, potentially alleviating these uncomfortable symptoms and improving overall well-being.
3. Improves Sexual Health: Menopause can cause a decline in sex drive and vaginal dryness, both of which can make sexual activity less pleasurable. HRT may help by restoring hormonal balance, potentially improving libido, and alleviating vaginal dryness for a more satisfying sexual experience.
4. Enhances Mood: Hormonal fluctuations can impact mood, potentially leading to depression or mood swings in some women during menopause. By regulating estrogen and progesterone levels, HRT may offer mood-boosting effects and alleviate symptoms of depression in some women.
5. Supports Weight Management: Menopause can be accompanied by weight fluctuations. While HRT isn't a magic bullet for weight loss, it can address the hormonal component that can make maintaining or losing weight more challenging. Combined with a healthy diet and exercise routine, HRT may help with weight management as part of a comprehensive approach to health.

While HRT offers many advantages, it's not a one-size-fits-all solution.  A healthcare professional can guide you through a personalized assessment to determine if HRT is the right course of action for you. This discussion will involve a comprehensive review of your medical history, individual needs, and potential risks and benefits of HRT.

How to Minimize The Risks of Hormone Restoration Therapy?

While HRT offers many benefits, it's crucial to manage potential risks. Here are some strategies to discuss with your doctor:

• Personalized Approach: Explore different delivery methods and hormone formulations. Options include pills, patches, gels, vaginal creams, or slow-release vaginal inserts. If your symptoms are primarily vaginal, low-dose vaginal options may be preferable to oral medications or skin patches.
• Dosage Optimization: Aim for the lowest effective dose that manages your symptoms for the shortest duration possible. Younger women (under 45) may require slightly higher doses for long-term protection against estrogen deficiency. If symptoms persist and significantly impact your quality of life, your doctor may recommend longer-term use.
• Regular Monitoring: Schedule regular check-ups to ensure the benefits of HRT outweigh any potential risks. This may include mammograms and pelvic exams as recommended by your doctor.
• Healthy Habits: Embrace a healthy lifestyle to further optimize your well-being. This includes regular exercise, a balanced diet, weight management, smoking cessation, moderate alcohol consumption, stress management, and managing any existing chronic health conditions like high blood pressure or cholesterol.

By working with your doctor and adopting these strategies, you can potentially minimize risks while maximizing the benefits of hormone therapy.

It's important to note that HRT has risks. These risks vary depending on the specific type of hormone used, dosage, duration of treatment, and your individual health history. To ensure the best outcome, Hormone Restoration Therapy should be personalized for each woman. Regular check-ups are crucial to confirm that the therapy's benefits continue to outweigh any potential risks.

Conclusion

At Nina Ross Functional Medicine, we believe in a holistic hormone restoration therapy (HRT) approach. We go beyond just replacing hormones; we address the root causes of your imbalance. We dig deeper, and through advanced lab testing, we uncover the underlying imbalances contributing to your symptoms. Dr. Nina Ross can help you reclaim your vitality and live a vibrant, healthy life. Schedule your consultation today and experience the difference of a holistic approach to HRT!