Hormone Therapy for Women

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Hormone Replacement Therapy for Women

Millions of women rely on bioidentical hormones to alleviate menopausal difficulties, fertility issues, and hormonal imbalances.

While there are dozens of commercially available hormone products, they often come with limitations. These products serve a broad population rather than the individual.

Compounding allows us to address the specific needs of each patient. By customizing the dose, dosage form, and route of administration, we can create a personalized hormone therapy plan.

This individualized approach enables us to titrate the hormones appropriately, achieving the desired clinical effect while minimizing side effects. Every woman is unique and responds to therapy in her own way, making close monitoring and adjustments essential for optimal results.

What are Bioidentical Hormones?

Hormones produced by humans have distinct structural differences compared to synthetic hormones. For a replacement hormone to fully replicate the function of naturally occurring hormones in the human body, its chemical structure must exactly match the original.

Manufacturers can add side chains to a naturally occurring hormone to create a synthetic drug that can be patented. While the body converts synthetic hormones into a usable form, they are not structurally identical to human hormones.

In contrast, bioidentical hormones are structurally identical at a molecular level, ensuring they replicate the function of naturally produced hormones more accurately.

What Are Bioidentical Hormones?

Common Hormones for Women

Estrogen

Estrogen encompasses three different hormones: Estrone (E1), Estradiol (E2), and Estriol (E3). Levels of each estrogen hormone naturally fluctuate based on a woman’s menstrual cycle.

Doctors often prescribe a combination of these three estrogen types to achieve physiological balance. This tailored approach helps maintain hormonal equilibrium to address individual health needs.

Progesterone

Progesterone is commonly paired with estrogen in hormone therapy. It helps improve bone mineral density and minimizes the risk of developing endometrial cancer when taking estrogen.

Additionally, progesterone can help alleviate menopausal hot flashes, providing further relief from menopausal symptoms.

Androgens

Androgens play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of our skin, muscle, and bone. This hormone is beneficial for both males and females and is essential in sustaining libido.

Recently, androgens have also been used to help alleviate menopausal symptoms, providing an additional option for hormone therapy.

Estrogen

The 3 Types of Estrogen

The female body produces three main types of estrogen:
  1. Estrone (E1): This is the primary estrogen produced after menopause, comprising about 10-20% of circulating estrogen.
  2. Estradiol (E2): The most potent estrogen, produced by the ovaries and predominant before menopause, makes up 10-30% of circulating estrogens.
  3. Estriol (E3): The least potent but most abundant, constituting 60-80% of circulating estrogens.

When undergoing hormone replacement therapy, your medical provider will ensure that these three estrogen types are correctly balanced to meet your individual health needs.

3 Types of Estrogen

Does Hormone Replacement Therapy Cause Cancer?

While HRT may slightly increase the risk of developing cancer, this risk is minimal. For many women, the benefits of HRT significantly outweigh the risks. Women under 60 and within 10 years of menopause have an even lower risk of developing health issues when taking hormone therapy.

Menopause can cause a hormone imbalance, leading to painful hot flashes, night sweats, discomfort with sexual activity, and poor sexual health. These symptoms can severely reduce the quality of life.

Low dose vaginal estrogen is the most effective treatment for these menopausal symptoms. It does not raise blood estrogen levels above the usual postmenopausal range.

There is no evidence of an increased risk for heart disease, stroke, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), dementia, or breast cancer with low dose vaginal estrogen.

Does Hormone Replacement Therapy Cause Cancer

Estrogen, Cardiovascular Health, & Sexual Function

The Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study (KEEPS) aimed to fill gaps in understanding the effects of menopausal hormone treatment on cardiovascular health.

In a randomized, double-anonymized, placebo-controlled study, KEEPS demonstrated that recently postmenopausal women undergoing HRT did not experience any severe adverse effects after four years. This includes risks such as atherosclerosis and venous thrombosis.

Participants in the study experienced significant benefits, including reduced hot flashes, improved sleep, and maintenance of bone mineral density.

These findings support the advocacy for HRT as a beneficial option for managing menopausal symptoms and improving overall quality of life.

Estrogen, Cardiovascular Health, & Sexual Function
Green Leaf

Talk to Us About HRT for Women

Talk to our knowledgeable pharmacists about HRT for women. We are here to help and will provide the information you need to get started.

Our passion is providing life-changing medication with personal customer service. We are sure you will enjoy your experience in our pharmacy.

To reach us, simply call our Littleton or Cherry Creek location. You can also fill out the form on this page.

You can also text our lines directly:
Littleton: 303-707-1500
Cherry Creek: 303-333-2010

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