UNDERSTANDING HORMONE THERAPY
Informed choices—not one-size-fits-all care
Hormone therapy can be highly effective for certain menopause symptoms, particularly hot flashes and night sweats, and may also help selected patients with vaginal symptoms or bone-loss prevention. Whether it is appropriate depends on your symptoms, age, time since menopause, health history, and risk factors.
The term “bioidentical” describes hormones that are chemically identical to hormones produced by the body. Some FDA-approved products are bioidentical. Compounded products are prepared for an individual prescription and are not FDA-approved as finished products.
A balanced consultation
We discuss expected benefits, possible risks, route of administration, whether progesterone is needed, alternatives, monitoring, and how long treatment may be continued. We also explain where evidence is strong and where uncertainty remains.
Options beyond systemic hormones
For some concerns, nonhormonal medication, local vaginal treatment, behavioral strategies, pelvic-floor therapy, or other targeted approaches may be preferable.