Estrogen is essential for a woman to look and feel feminine and when it’s deficient symptoms such as depression, moodiness, anxiety, insomnia, loss of sex drive, and hot flashes can ensue. Estrogen deficiency is easily fixed through hormone replacement therapy (HRT), but you need to follow certain guidelines to maximize its safety and efficacy.
Estrogen Replacement Therapy Risks and Side-Effects
HRT can cause: bloating, weight gain, loss of libido, acne, nausea, breast tenderness and swelling, headaches, vaginal bleeding, and mood changes. It can also increase the risk for breast cancer, blood clots, heart and liver disease; and stroke.
Estrogen Replacement Therapy Done Safely
HRT should only be done under the supervision of a healthcare professional; and sex hormones should be measured prior to, and throughout therapy. It should be taken for the minimum amount of time necessary, and the lowest effective dose should be used.
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)
BHRT uses hormones that are compounded by a chemist and molecularly identical to the hormones found in the human body. The formulations and dosages are tailored to each individual’s requirements, which helps maximize safety and minimize side-effects.
The Importance of Adding Progesterone
Estradiol therapy should always be augmented with progesterone. This will help prevent many of the negative effects and risks (breast cancer etc.) associated with estradiol. Although most gynecologists prescribe estradiol alone after a hysterectomy, progesterone is essential for avoiding side-effects.
Estrogen Delivery Methods
The safest delivery method for BHRT is transdermal (through the skin). Avoid oral estrogen because it needs to pass through your liver before it enters your bloodstream, and the chemical makeup of it is altered in the process. Estrogen gel is superior to estrogen cream because it is more easily absorbed.
Progesterone Delivery Methods
Avoid progesterone products that are synthetic derivatives of progesterone and choose natural instead. Although natural progesterone can be delivered both orally and vaginally, you should use the intra-vaginal method to maximize absorption and efficacy.
~Written by Nick Delgado, PhD, CHT
