Is a hormone imbalance making it impossible for you to live your life? If so, you may benefit from hormone replacement therapy. Contact a respected compounding pharmacy for more information.
The hormones in our bodies are responsible for most of our bodily functions. These hormones communicate with each other to regulate our digestive system, our mood, our immune system, and even our libido.
But when these hormones become imbalanced, even slightly, these systems can be significantly disrupted. Fortunately, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) offer a more natural solution to this imbalance.
If you are interested in hormone balancing, you can discuss HRT and BHRT with your doctor to see whether you are a good candidate for this treatment. You can contact The Healthy Choice compounding pharmacy when you are ready to begin treatment that is personalized to your individual needs.
What Is Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Hormone replacement therapy is a way that men and women can rebalance their hormones. Traditional hormone replacement therapy uses synthetic hormones, whereas bio-identical hormone replacement therapy uses plant estrogens to produce hormones that are produced naturally in our bodies.
Although BHRT gets a lot of attention for being natural, research has shown that they are relatively similar and one is not necessarily more effective than the other.
In traditional hormone therapy, there are four types:
- Local estrogen
- Estrogen only
- Cyclical
- Continuous
The best type of hormone replacement therapy for you depends on the unique health issues you are facing. For example, if you had a hysterectomy, you may not need progesterone and an estrogen-only HRT would be the best option. If you are experiencing menopause, BHRT or local estrogen could help ease the symptoms.
You can speak with your doctor and compounding pharmacist to determine which HRT or BHRT could be the best option for you.
Hormone Replacement Therapy Uses
In many cases, hormone replacement therapies are used to treat menopause and perimenopause in women. But men can also benefit from the use of hormone therapy and bio-identical hormone therapy. Some of the various conditions that HRT and BHRT may help with include:
- Insomnia
- Low libido
- Weight gain
- Incontinence
- Urinary problems
- Heart failure
- Prostate cancer
- Muscle function
- Concentration difficulties
- Thinning hair
- Vaginal dryness
- Allergies
- Low blood testosterone levels
These are just a few of the different health concerns that could be treated with hormone replacement therapy. It can also be used for people seeking gender reassignment or as part of a birth control plan. Schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss your health issues and see if HRT or BHRT could be a good fit for your lifestyle and needs.
Side Effects of Hormone Replacement Therapy
As your body adjusts to the use of hormone replacement therapy to rebalance your hormone levels, you may experience a wide variety of side effects, including:
- Migraines
- Vaginal bleeding
- Weight gain
- Mood swings
- Acne
- Bloating
- Fatigue
- Increased facial hair
- Nausea
- Leg cramps
- Swelling
- Indigestion
- Tender breasts
The good news is that in most cases, these side effects will disappear as your body becomes accustomed to the balancing of your hormones. However, you need to keep in touch with your physician and let them know if these side effects do not go away, if they continue, or if they worsen.
Compounding Pharmacies and Hormone Replacement Therapy
Every person’s hormones are imbalanced differently, your physician may find it easier to meet your needs by prescribing a specific dosage of hormones that must be compounded by a compounding pharmacy.
There are various ways these hormones can be delivered as well. Vaginal rings, gels, tablets, creams, injections, skin patches, and implanted pellets are just a few options that may be available to you, depending on your individual circumstances.
Compounded hormones are not generally approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) because they are personalized to meet your needs. With that being said, your physician will likely prescribe the lowest dose possible for the shortest period of time in order to avoid the risks associated with hormone replacement therapy and bio-identical hormone replacement therapy.
In addition to HRT and BHRT, you can also make some lifestyle changes to manage your symptoms. By exercising regularly, quitting smoking, limiting your consumption of alcohol and caffeine, losing weight (if you are overweight), and maintaining healthy sleep habits, you could be able to aid the positive effects of your hormone replacement therapy.
Hormone Replacement Therapy FAQ
Hormone replacement therapy and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can be quite confusing. In an effort to help you better understand some of the most important details about hormone replacement therapies, we have provided the answers to some of the most common questions patients have had in regards to HRT and BHRT below. If you have other questions that have not been answered on this page, you can give us a call to further discuss your concerns.
Who is a good candidate for hormone replacement therapy?
There are many different conditions that can be helped with HRT. Often, women who are going through menopause or perimenopause can benefit from hormone replacement therapy. Other conditions that could show symptom improvement through HRT and BHRT include certain types of cancer, fibromyalgia, thyroid and adrenal disorders, insulin resistance, and osteoporosis.
Is hormone replacement therapy safe?
Not everyone is a good candidate for HRT or BHRT. With that being said, your doctor will know your medical history and be able to tell you whether hormone replacement therapy is a good option for you.
There are risks with any treatment, but when the benefits of a treatment like HRT and BHRT outweigh the risks, your physician may recommend you find a compounding pharmacy to create the right hormone therapy for your needs.
Can hormone replacement therapy causes cancer?
Research has shown that the use of hormone therapies may increase a person’s risk for developing certain health conditions including gallbladder disease, blood clots, heart disease, stroke, and breast cancer.
However, research has shown that the risk for breast cancer specifically is only increased when using estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy, and when that therapy is used for more than ten years.
How much does hormone replacement therapy cost?
Your health insurance may or may not cover the cost of your hormone replacement therapy. It will depend on the details of your health insurance policy and why you are taking HRT or BHRT.
If your health insurance will not cover your hormone replacement therapy, you should expect to cover the costs. This could include your initial consultation with your physician as well as the compounded hormone treatment. You can contact us directly to find out what you can expect to pay for your hormone replacement therapy.
Reach Out to a Compounding Pharmacy That Offers HRT
If you believe that hormone replacement therapy could help you, get in touch with a qualified HRT compounding pharmacy. The Healthy Choice is the only choice when you need a personalized approach to your medications.
Call our compounding pharmacy at 914-238-1700 or submit the online contact form below to discuss your medical needs in greater detail.