Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) encompasses any medical treatment method in which a patient receives hormones to supplement deficient naturally occurring hormones or to substitute other hormones for naturally occurring ones.

Menopause denotes the phase in a woman's life when menstruation ceases, constituting a natural aspect of aging. During the pre-menopausal and menopausal years, fluctuations in female hormone levels can occur, leading to symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Some women opt for hormone replacement therapy, also known as menopausal hormone therapy, to alleviate these symptoms. Additionally, HRT may offer protection against osteoporosis.

Nevertheless, HRT carries inherent risks. It can heighten the risk of breast cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Certain HRT formulations pose greater risks, with individual risk factors varying based on health history and lifestyle. It is essential for you and your healthcare provider to deliberate on the potential risks and benefits. If HRT is chosen, it should be administered at the lowest effective dose for the shortest necessary duration. Hormone usage should be reassessed every six months.

Various types of hormone replacement therapy include:

- Menopausal hormone therapy: This treatment aims to alleviate discomfort arising from reduced circulating estrogen and progesterone levels during menopause or surgical menopause, potentially prolonging life and reducing dementia incidence. It typically involves the use of medications to artificially elevate hormone levels, primarily estrogen, progesterone or progestins, and sometimes testosterone. Often referred to as "treatment" rather than therapy.

- Hormone replacement therapy for transgender individuals: This therapy introduces hormones associated with the gender identity of the patient, such as testosterone for trans men and estrogen for trans women. Some intersex individuals also undergo HRT, either in childhood to affirm their assigned gender or later to transition to their identified gender. This encompasses both female-to-male and male-to-female hormone replacement therapy.

- Androgen replacement therapy: This treatment, prescribed for male hypogonadism, counteracts its effects and may delay normal male aging. It is also administered to men who have lost testicular function due to illness, cancer, or other causes.