Hormonal imbalances are a common struggle for many women, impacting everything from energy levels and emotional well-being to sex drive and the ability to lose weight.
While perimenopause and menopause are often the culprits, hormone deficiencies can happen at any age. Pregnancy, chronic health conditions, stress, or even certain medications can disrupt hormone production.
Hormone therapy for women is a low risk and effective way to restore balance and address these imbalances. There are many myths about female HRT which is a shame because when needed and prescribed and administered under the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider, hormone therapy can be life-changing.
In this guide, we hope to clear up hormone therapy misconceptions and break down everything you need to know about hormone therapy for women, so you can decide if it’s the right step for your health and well-being.
What is Hormone Therapy for Women?
Hormone therapy for women is a prescription medical treatment that replaces or replenishes hormones that the body is no longer producing or producing in sufficient amounts. While hormone therapy is most commonly associated with menopause, hormonal imbalances or deficiencies can occur at any stage of life, even before perimenopause or menopause.
The two most common hormones used in hormone therapy for women are estrogen and progestin (a type of progesterone). These hormones can help alleviate menopause symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and vaginal dryness while also supporting bone health.
Testosterone is another hormone often included in hormone therapy for women. Contrary to popular belief, women also need testosterone, albeit in smaller amounts than men. Testosterone plays a critical role in maintaining muscle mass, bone density, libido, and a satisfying sex life.
When hormone levels are restored to a healthy range, symptoms like fatigue, mood swings, and low energy often improve, leading to more vitality and better overall well-being.
The specific hormones prescribed depend on the results of comprehensive bloodwork, a detailed consultation to review symptoms and medical history, and your unique needs.
Hormone therapy can be delivered in several ways. Injections are often preferred for their consistent absorption and effectiveness. However, other options, such as gels, creams, patches, or pills, are available for women who prefer a more convenient or non-invasive method. Your healthcare provider will help you choose the delivery method that best suits your symptoms, lifestyle, and goals.
Types of Hormone Therapy for Women
Hormone therapy for women can include estrogen therapy, progesterone therapy, or a combination of both. Each type of therapy serves a unique purpose. Some women only require one hormone, while others require a combination of hormones.
Your healthcare provider will go over your individual treatment plan after reviewing your blood work and a thorough consultation. Then, they can guide you in choosing the right option based on your symptoms and health history.
Estrogen Therapy
This type of therapy is often prescribed for women who no longer produce enough estrogen, especially after menopause. It can help reduce symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness while also supporting bone health.
Progesterone Therapy
Progesterone is usually added to hormone therapy for women who still have a uterus. It helps protect the lining of the uterus from overgrowth, which can occur if estrogen is taken alone. Beyond that, progesterone can also improve sleep quality and mood stability for some women.
Testosterone Therapy (TRT)
Testosterone therapy is often misunderstood as a type of hormone therapy only for men, but women also experience drops in testosterone that can impact their health and vitality.
While women naturally produce and need less testosterone than men, it’s still a vital hormone for overall health. TRT for women addresses low testosterone levels in women, which can affect energy, muscle strength, mood, and libido.
Combination Hormone Therapy
Often, a woman is deficient in more than one hormone. If so, a combination therapy approach that includes the replacement of more than one hormone is usually recommended. This is common because a woman’s hormones are all connected.
However, sometimes, balancing one hormone can naturally improve the levels of another.
For example, progesterone and testosterone influence each other in the body. Progesterone regulates other hormones, including testosterone.
If a woman has low progesterone levels, getting them back into a healthy range might indirectly correct low testosterone levels without the need for TRT. It all depends on your bloodwork and individual symptoms. Your hormone therapy expert will be able to determine if a combination therapy approach is necessary.
Sources of Hormone Therapy
Along with the different types of hormone therapies available, there are also different sources of hormones. These sources can impact how the body absorbs and processes hormones. The two primary categories are bioidentical and synthetic hormones.
Bioidentical Hormones
Bioidentical hormones are chemically identical to the hormones produced by the human body. They are primarily derived from plant-based sources, such as yams and soy, because these plants contain compounds that can be carefully compounded to match the exact molecular structure of the hormones your body recognizes and uses.
While less common, bioidentical hormones can also be synthesized in a lab to replicate the exact structure of the body’s natural hormones. This does not make them “synthetic” in the same sense as other hormone therapies because they are chemically identical to what the body naturally produces, even if lab-based methods are involved.
Bioidentical hormones are often preferred because they are chemically identical to the body’s own hormones, allowing for easier hormone regulation, fewer potential side effects, and a more personalized treatment.
Synthetic Hormones
Synthetic hormones are chemically altered to mimic natural hormones but are not identical to those your body produces. These hormones are typically made in a lab from non-plant-based sources or through entirely synthetic processes.
An example is synthetic estrogen, which can be derived from the urine of pregnant mares (Premarin) or be synthesized in a lab. While synthetic hormones can be effective, they may carry a higher risk of side effects due to their structural differences from the body’s natural hormones.
When Do Women Need Hormone Therapy?
Hormone therapy isn’t just for women experiencing menopause—it can benefit women of many ages dealing with hormone imbalances that are negatively impacting their lives.
There are many reasons and signs you might need hormone therapy. Below are some women that might want to consider hormone therapy. For more information, you can also read “Learn What Hormone Therapy Treats.”
Women Entering Perimenopause and Menopause
Women going through perimenopause or menopause often experience symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and low energy. Hormone therapy, often called menopausal hormone therapy, can help restore hormone balance and relieve these symptoms.
Weight Management
Hormonal imbalances, particularly low estrogen levels, can lead to changes in fat distribution, especially around the abdomen.
You can diet and exercise all you want, but if your hormones are out of whack, it will be an uphill battle that you won’t likely win– until you restore hormone balance.
Hormone therapy can help address this common root cause of weight loss resistance and weight gain.
Women Experiencing Chronic Stress
Stress increases cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. Over time, elevated cortisol levels can disrupt the balance of other hormones, such as thyroid and sex hormones.
This imbalance can lead to a variety of symptoms, including fatigue, weight gain, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, and low mood. In some cases, the body’s adrenal glands may become exhausted from prolonged stress, leading to what is commonly referred to as adrenal fatigue.
Everyone gets stressed from time to time, especially women. That doesn’t automatically mean your hormones or adrenals have taken a hit. However, if your stress is chronic and prolonged, it can significantly impact hormone production and result in hormone imbalances that could benefit from hormone therapy.
Women with Hormone Imbalances from Dieting or Over-Exercising
It’s not only mental stress that can negatively impact your hormones. The body’s response to extreme physical stress without proper rest or prolonged restrictive dieting (especially diets low in Omega 3s) can disrupt key hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, and thyroid hormones.
Women who have over-dieted, over-exercised, or placed significant physical stress on their bodies—such as athletes, bodybuilders, or those with a history of eating disorders—are likely to develop hormone imbalances, resulting in fatigue, weight loss resistance or weight gain, low libido, and mood swings. Hormone therapy might be needed to replenish hormones and support recovery.
Women Who Have Had Ovarian or Hysterectomy Surgeries
Women who have had their ovaries surgically removed—often due to conditions like ovarian cysts, endometriosis, or certain cancers—or those who’ve undergone a full hysterectomy (removal of both the uterus and ovaries) may experience a drastic drop in hormone production.
This sudden reduction can trigger symptoms similar to menopause, including hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings. Hormone therapy can replace hormones that are no longer being produced.
Women with Certain Medical Conditions
Women who’ve undergone treatment for medical conditions such as breast cancer or those diagnosed with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) may need hormone therapy.
For women with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), the ovaries stop producing estrogen and other hormones before age 40, causing early menopause. Hormone therapy can help restore estrogen levels and alleviate symptoms like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and bone loss, improving quality of life.
In the case of some types of breast cancer, hormone therapy is sometimes used to block or reduce estrogen levels. Estrogen can promote the growth of certain types of breast cancer, so hormone therapy for these women can help prevent estrogen from signaling cancer cells to grow. The type of hormone therapy used in breast cancer is very different from hormone replacement and menopausal hormone therapy (MHT.)
Misconceptions About Hormone Therapy for Women
There are a lot of myths out there about hormone therapy. This article busts 5 of the most common myths about female HRT. But let’s quickly address two of the most common myths we see: that all HRT increases breast cancer risk and that it leads to significant weight gain.
While it’s true that some forms of hormone therapy may slightly increase the risk of breast cancer, the relationship is not as clear-cut as often believed. Research from the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) and the Endocrine Society shows that the risk depends on the type of hormone therapy used, the dose, and the duration of use.
For example, estrogen-only therapy used by women who have had a hysterectomy has not been shown to significantly increase breast cancer risk. Furthermore, when HRT is used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest time possible, as recommended by these organizations, the risk is minimal.
Another common myth is that hormone therapy will inevitably cause significant weight gain. In reality, HRT does not directly cause weight gain. While some women may experience a small amount of weight gain during menopause due to hormonal changes, HRT itself is not a major contributor.
Many other factors, such as lifestyle, diet, and genetics, play a far more significant role in weight changes during menopause. In fact, HRT may help prevent weight gain related to menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and sleep disturbances, making it easier to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Benefits of Hormone Therapy for Women
Hormone therapy can offer significant benefits to women, improving quality of life and helping to alleviate symptoms that occur from hormonal imbalances or changes due to menopause. Below are some key benefits:
Relief from Menopausal Symptoms
During perimenopause and menopause, women experience a decrease in estrogen levels. Hormone therapy, specifically estrogen therapy, is very effective in reducing symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness.
Improved Mood and Mental Health
Hormonal fluctuations, particularly a decline in estrogen and progesterone, can contribute to mood swings, anxiety, and depression. Studies show that hormone therapy can improve mood and alleviate these symptoms.
Enhanced Libido and Sexual Pleasure
Reduced levels of estrogen, progesterone, and/or testosterone can decrease sexual desire in women. Hormone therapy, which may involve estrogen, progesterone, and sometimes testosterone, can drastically improve libido and sexual function.
Bone Health
Estrogen plays a significant role in bone health by helping maintain bone density. As estrogen levels decline during menopause, women are at higher risk for osteoporosis. Hormone therapy can help maintain bone density and reduce the risk of fractures.
Cardiovascular Protection
Post-menopausal women with lower estrogen levels are at increased risk of heart disease. That is because estrogen is known to have protective effects on the cardiovascular system. Hormone therapy can replenish estrogen, which might lower cardiovascular risks.
Better Sleep
Hormonal imbalances can significantly disrupt sleep patterns. This may result from symptoms caused by declining hormone levels, such as hot flashes due to lower estrogen, or from the hormone deficiencies themselves. For example, low testosterone levels are linked to poor sleep quality. Hormone therapy may help by addressing these imbalances, improving both sleep duration and quality.
Skin Health
Estrogen helps maintain skin elasticity and moisture, and a decrease in estrogen during menopause can lead to skin changes, including dryness and the formation of wrinkles. Hormone therapy may improve skin hydration and elasticity.
Protection Against Cognitive Decline
Research suggests that estrogen may have neuroprotective effects. Findings are mixed, and more research is needed. However, some studies indicate that hormone therapy, especially when started early in menopause, might help prevent cognitive decline.
Hormone Therapy Risks and Side Effects
Hormone therapy is a safe and effective way to replenish hormones and bring them back into a normal, healthy range—especially if you use a medical clinic that offers bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT).
BHRT uses hormones chemically identical to those naturally produced by your body, typically leading to fewer side effects than HRT derived from animals.
Bioidentical or not, the benefits of hormone replacement therapy almost always outweigh the risks. However, it’s important to be aware of potential issues.
Certain types of hormone therapy may slightly increase the risk of breast cancer, blood clots, or stroke in some women. Although these risks are low, it’s crucial to educate yourself and consult a qualified healthcare provider experienced in hormone therapy.
As far as side effects, as the body adjusts to hormone therapy, some women experience mild bloating, water retention, breast tenderness, headaches, or mood swings. These symptoms are usually temporary and improve as your body acclimates to treatment.
You can lower your risk of potential adverse effects by seeking care from a trusted provider, asking questions during your consultation, and never skipping follow-up appointments.
HRT isn’t a one-and-done treatment. Ongoing monitoring is needed to ensure your therapy remains safe and effective. As your body changes, so might your hormone levels, which means your doses could need adjustment over time.
Regular follow-ups based on your symptoms and lab results help fine-tune your treatment, ensuring you’re getting the best outcomes while avoiding any unwanted side effects. Staying connected with your healthcare provider helps keep everything on track and personalized to your needs.
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Cost of Hormone Replacement Therapy
The cost of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can vary based on factors like the type of hormones used, the delivery method, your personalized treatment plan, and even where you live. The hormone clinic you choose can provide you with an exact cost breakdown based on your specific needs.
In some cases, insurance may cover part or all of the costs associated with HRT. However, coverage can vary widely depending on your insurance provider, plan, and whether the clinic accepts your insurance. Be sure to check with both your clinic and insurance company to understand what’s covered under your policy.
Choosing the Right Hormone Therapy
Hormone needs can vary based on whether you’re navigating menopause, managing stress-related imbalances, or addressing a medical condition like premature ovarian insufficiency.
Leading organizations like the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) and the Endocrine Society recommend that hormone therapy (HRT) be personalized to each individual’s health profile and needs.
They emphasize starting HRT at the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration necessary, particularly for menopausal symptoms, while considering factors like age, personal medical history, and risk factors. Regular monitoring is also key to ensuring the therapy remains safe and effective.
The exact hormone therapy you need depends on several factors, including age, overall health, bloodwork results, family history, risk factors, specific symptoms, and treatment goals.
For example, younger women may benefit from different approaches than those in postmenopause. Health conditions, such as a history of blood clots, breast cancer, or cardiovascular issues, also influence what therapies are safe and effective.
Your symptoms will also determine the type of hormone therapy you choose. For example, severe hot flashes and night sweats might point to a need for estrogen replacement, while fatigue and low libido could suggest testosterone imbalances.
Remember, just because your best friend found relief from estrogen therapy during menopause doesn’t mean that is the exact path you need to take, even if you are experiencing similar symptoms. You might require combination therapy or a treatment that targets a different hormone imbalance altogether.
Only after a comprehensive blood panel and in-depth consultation with a hormone expert will you be able to work with your healthcare provider to tailor a plan to your unique needs.
Non-Hormonal Alternatives to Hormone Replacement Therapy
For some women, hormone therapy may not be the best option due to health concerns like a history of breast cancer or other contraindications. In these cases, there are a few non-hormonal therapies that can offer relief from menopause symptoms.
Some options include:
SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)
SSRIs are a class of prescription medications, such as fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), or escitalopram (Lexapro), that can help manage hot flashes and mood swings during menopause.
Gabapentin
This is a medication that is often prescribed off-label to help with hot flashes and can also improve sleep, especially for women experiencing menopause-related sleep disturbances.
Lifestyle Modifications
You might be surprised what a few lifestyle changes can do to improve your hormone health. Exercise, a healthy diet, and stress management techniques like mindfulness or yoga are all great ways to help reduce menopausal symptoms and improve overall well-being.
Hormone Therapy for Women Near Me
Almost every medical clinic and doctor’s office can order hormone blood work, but that doesn’t mean they are knowledgeable in interpreting the results or creating a personalized hormone therapy treatment plan.
If you’re looking for experts in hormone therapy for women, Relive Health has clinic locations across the U.S. staffed with medical providers who specialize in diagnosing and treating hormonal imbalances.
Whether you’re experiencing menopause symptoms, struggling with hormonal imbalances, or just want to optimize your health, we offer a tailored approach to hormone therapy, starting with an in-depth blood panel and consultation.
Our specialists help you understand your unique needs and create a personalized treatment plan using bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). This method ensures you’re receiving hormones that are identical to those naturally produced by your body, providing effective results with fewer side effects.
Check out our clinic locator to find a Relive Health clinic near you.
