What is Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)?

Many of the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood issues, sleep problems, and vaginal dryness, are caused by fluctuating levels of estrogen and the eventual discontinuation of the production of estrogen by the ovaries. Hormone replacement therapy is used for women in menopause who are having disruptive symptoms. The gold standard treatment for menopause symptoms is estrogen. Progesterone is necessary to protect the uterus and testosterone is sometimes added to help with libido issues.

Most of us will experience menopause symptoms, but not all of us will need to use hormone replacement therapy. The women who should consider using hormone replacement therapy are those who are experiencing moderate to severe hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal dryness to the degree that these symptoms are disrupting daily activities, ability to work, function at home, or take care of your family.

Ladies, you know who you are!

When Hormone Replacement Therapy is Not For You

There are some women who should not use hormone replacement therapy. They include women with breast or uterine cancer, liver or gallbladder disease, a history of blood clots or stroke, unexplained vaginal bleeding or significant untreated heart disease.

Find a health care professional who specializes in menopause to help you make the best decisions for you. A wide variety of government-approved prescription therapies are available for menopausal symptoms in the United States and Canada. These include estrogens and progestin as well as two recently approved non-hormonal therapies. With these well-tested, government-approved options, prescribers can meet the need to control many menopause symptoms effectively while minimizing risk and accommodating women’s personal therapy preferences.

Tara Allmen, MD Credentials:
– Board Certified Gynecologist and Nationally Certified Menopause Practitioner
– New York City’s Leading Expert In Menopause
– President, North American Menopause Society Foundation
– Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology
– New York City’s Top Gynecologist, 2015
– Five Star Rating From Doctor’s Choice Awards
– Five Star Rating From HealthGrades