Hormone Replacement Therapy

What is hormone replacement therapy?

Hormone replacement therapy is a treatment option to help women manage their menopause symptoms. Menopause is a normal part of a woman’s aging process and marks the end of your fertility.

You officially reach menopause when you go 12 months in a row without your period. However, before you officially reach menopause, you may experience irregularities in your menstrual cycle, as well as many of the symptoms associated with menopause.

Your symptoms and menstrual cycle changes are the result of hormonal fluctuations, specifically a decrease in estrogen production. Hormone replacement therapy is a medical treatment that aims to restore hormone levels. 

The treatment provides your body with the hormones you’re lacking, such as estrogen or progesterone, to optimize levels and alleviate symptoms. The therapy is available is many forms, including a pill, pellet, cream, and patch. 

What are the benefits of hormone replacement therapy?

Hormone replacement therapy benefits your quality of life and overall health. Many women seek treatment for menopause due to the symptoms they experience, which include:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Vaginal dryness
• Low libido
• Mood changes
• Weight gain
• Depression

In addition to symptoms, the changes in your hormone levels also affect bone health and may increase your risk of osteoporosis.

Hormone replacement therapy can help alleviate your menopause symptoms to improve your quality of life and improve bone health to prevent chronic bone disease. 

How do I know if hormone replacement therapy is right for me?

The experienced team at Philadelphia Women's Health & Wellness conducts comprehensive evaluations to determine if hormone therapy is right for you. During your exam, they review your symptoms, menstrual cycle, gynecological and medical history, and family history.

They also perform a physical and pelvic exam and run bloodwork to assess your overall health and hormone levels. Based on the information collected from your evaluation, the team determines if you’re a good candidate for hormone replacement therapy.

To minimize health risks and optimize symptom relief, the team prescribes hormone replacement therapy at the lowest dose possible for the shortest amount of time. 

You may not be a good candidate for hormone replacement therapy if you have a personal or family history of breast cancer or heart disease.

To learn more about hormone replacement therapy and how it can benefit your health and well-being, contact Philadelphia Women's Health & Wellness by phone or online today.