MHT

Yes, your provider can adjust your dose or switch you to another form of MHT, such as patches, gels, creams, vaginal rings or pills. This flexibility helps ensure you find the most tolerable and effective option. We never recommend pellets as the doses are often way too high and not well regulated.

MHT can improve other menopause-related symptoms such as mood changes, sleep disruptions, some joint pains and vaginal dryness. The extent of symptom relief varies by individual.

Women who have had a hysterectomy often only need estrogen therapy, since progesterone is not required to protect the uterine lining. Your provider will recommend the best type and delivery method based on your health history.

Yes, non-hormonal medications, lifestyle modifications, and natural therapies may help manage symptoms. Medication options include Veozah, gabapentin, and antidepressants which can all help to reduce hot flashes and night sweats.

MHT is recommended for women with premature menopause to support bone, heart, and overall health until the typical age of natural menopause. This helps protect against long-term health risks.

The duration depends on your symptoms, health risks, and preferences. Many women can safely use MHT for several years under medical supervision, with annual check-ups and mammograms.

Testosterone can sometimes be prescribed for post-menopausal women, typically to help with low libido. It must be monitored closely to avoid side effects.

Bioidentical hormones are hormones made in a lab that are chemically identical to thernhormones naturally produced by the human body. They are designed to act in the body thernsame way your own hormones do.

Not necessarily. Even though they may be derived from plant sources like soy or yams,rnbioidentical hormones are still processed and manufactured in a laboratory. “Bioidentical” refersrnto their chemical structure, not whether they are natural or organic.

No, not automatically. The term “bioidentical” can make them sound safer, but safety dependsrnon how the hormone is made, tested, dosed, and monitored — not just whether it matches yourrnbody’s hormones.

FDA-approved bioidentical hormones are tested for safety, effectiveness, and consistentrndosing. Compounded bioidentical hormones are custom-mixed by a pharmacy for an individualrnpatient and are not regulated or tested by the FDA in the same way. This can lead torninconsistencies in strength and quality.

Compounded hormones are not required to go through the same strict quality control asrnFDA-approved medications. This increases the chance of incorrect dosing, contamination, orrnvariability from batch to batch.

No. Some prescription hormones are bioidentical, while others are synthetic or derived fromrnanimal sources and are not chemically identical to human hormones. Both types may be used inrnmedical treatment depending on the patient’s needs.

Bioidentical hormones themselves cannot be patented because they are identical to hormonesrnalready found in the human body. However, drug companies can patent unique deliveryrnsystems, like patches, gels, or special formulations, which is often how FDA-approvedrnbioidentical options are developed.

This term is used by some experts to describe bioidentical hormones that are alsornFDA-approved and regulated. It helps distinguish them from compounded hormone therapiesrnthat are not overseen by the FDA.

Organizations like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend usingrnFDA-approved hormone therapies rather than compounded bioidentical hormones. This isrnbecause approved therapies have been tested for safety, quality, and effectiveness.

You should always talk with a qualified healthcare provider who can review your symptoms,rnmedical history, and risks. They can help you choose a hormone therapy that is safe,rnevidence-based, and properly monitored.