Online Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Treatment

Learning More about Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

As with all medical treatments and therapies, there are both benefits and risks as well as potential side effects to treatment with HRT. At the start of your journey with OMC, we’ll inform you of the risks and benefits of HRT and clarify the difference between synthetic vs bioidentical hormones (BHRT) and regulated vs compounded bioidentical hormones.

We also have two dedicated pages relating to bio identical HRT and body identical HRT to help you learn more about each option in more detail.

Synthetic vs Bioidentical Hormones

Until recently, synthetic HRT was the mainstream treatment offered to women experiencing symptoms of menopause. This form of HRT is still prescribed, and it works well for some women. However, more commonly now, menopause specialists are opting for bioidentical hormones, hormones with the same molecular structure to those produced by our body. The reason for this is based on research which has shown fewer side effects and risks.

Regulated (rBHRT) vs Compounded Bioidentical Hormones (cBHRT)

The 2 types of bioidentical hormones:

Regulated bioidentical hormones (Body identical hormones – rBHRT). These hormones are manufactured using generic or pre-determined dosages and are available from most pharmacies in the country. They are the preferred choice of HRT by most menopause clinics.

Compounded bioidentical hormones (cBHRT). These are prepared based on individual’s blood levels and symptoms. They are dispensed only by compounding pharmacies and the dose can be adjusted. This form of HRT is unlicensed.

Benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy

Expected benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

HRT can control symptoms associated with an imbalance or declining levels of hormones. Possible benefits of HRT include the management or delay of diseases such as osteoporosis and some degenerative, autoimmune and chronic diseases.

Bioidentical hormones are derived from soy and yams. They are more naturally integrated into our body as they are not recognised as foreign and therefore, usually they restore hormonal and metabolic balance with less side effects than the synthetic hormones.

Risks & Side effects of HRT

Potential risks of HRT

Much of the concern about HRT safety stems from the WHI (Women’s Health Initiative) study. This study looked at Premarin (synthetic estrogen) and Provera (a progestin or synthetic progesterone). It showed a small increase in the risk of breast cancer, heart disease, stroke and pulmonary embolism (blood clot in lungs). The risk of breast cancer in HRT users depends on a number of other factors
including their genetics, body mass index, smoking and alcohol consumption as well as lifestyle.

Potential side effects of HRT

Side effects of taking HRT depends on which hormone you have been prescribed. You may be prescribed one or more hormones in order to help you reach hormonal balance and to improve your symptoms.
Side effects include but are not limited to endometrial bleeding/spotting, breast tenderness, water retention, headaches, low mood, excessive body hair, acne.

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