Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
Our leading gynecologists in New York are here to care for you. Every woman is unique, and her healthcare should be too. Our gynecology team is dedicated to delivering personalized, comprehensive gynecologic care, taking the time to understand your medical history, concerns, and future goals.
What Is Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)?
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is a treatment used to manage menopausal symptoms by supplementing the hormones that naturally decline during menopause. It can help relieve hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and other discomforts.
HRT is available in various forms, including pills, patches, rings, gels, creams, and sprays applied to the skin or inserted vaginally. However, it carries potential risks, albeit low risks, such as an increased likelihood of heart disease or breast cancer. To minimize these risks, doctors typically prescribe the lowest effective dose and its duration is tailored to each individual.
What Is the Purpose of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)?
Hormone replacement therapy primarily aims to restore estrogen levels that decrease after menopause. Not all women require hormone replacement therapy to manage menopause symptoms, but many find it beneficial. If you're experiencing any of the following, consider discussing HRT with one of our specialists to determine if it's the right option for you:
Moderate-to-severe hot flashes: Mild hot flashes cause warmth without sweating and usually don’t require treatment. However, moderate hot flashes bring noticeable heat and sweating, while severe ones can be intense enough to disrupt daily activities.
Vaginal dryness, itching, or burning: These symptoms may also cause discomfort or pain during intercourse.
Body aches and joint or muscle pain: Menopause-related hormonal changes can contribute to overall discomfort in muscles and joints.
If these symptoms are affecting your quality of life, our gynecologists can help you explore treatment options, including HRT.
What Are the Types of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)?
Estrogen Therapy
There are two main types of estrogen therapy:
Systemic hormone therapy: This form of estrogen—available as a pill, skin patch, ring, gel, cream, or spray—delivers a higher dose that is absorbed in the body. It is commonly used to treat a wide range of menopausal symptoms.
Low-dose vaginal products: These estrogen preparations, available as a cream, tablet, or ring, provide a lower dose that minimizes absorption into the bloodstream. They are typically used to relieve vaginal and urinary symptoms associated with menopause.
Combination Therapy
If you still have your uterus, your doctor will likely prescribe estrogen in combination with progesterone or a progesterone-like medication (progestin). This is necessary because estrogen alone can stimulate the uterine lining, increasing the risk of endometrial cancer. However, if you have undergone a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus), progestin may not be needed.
What Are the Benefits and Risks of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)?
Hormone Replacement Therapy provides several health benefits, particularly for women experiencing menopause. It alleviates common symptoms such as, hot flashes, night sweats, eases vaginal dryness and discomfort. It also helps with mood swings and irritability, and reduces joint and muscle pain. HRT can also help maintain bone density and lower the risk of osteoporosis. In some cases, HRT may benefit heart health, improve skin and hair health, and could offer potential cognitive benefits - such as reducing the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
While HRT offers significant benefits, it also carries certain risks—which vary depending on the type of therapy, dosage, duration of use, and individual health factors. Potential risks include, increased risk of blood clots and stroke, and breast, endometrial, and ovarian cancer. In order to minimize the risks, the treatment needs to be tailored to each woman’s specific health needs. Regular assessment is vital to ensure that the benefits outweigh the risk.
How Can Well by Messer Help You with Hormone Replacement Therapy?
At Well by Messer, our gynecologists are very experienced in treating menopause and perimenopause symptoms with hormone replacement therapy. Dr. Alyssa Dweck, a certified menopause provider, focuses on gynecology, menopause, and sexual health. She offers specialized care for women experiencing hormonal changes. Together with HRT, we have a team of endocrinologists, nutritionists, and psychologists to help our patients with this lifecycle transition. Regular assessment is vital to ensure that the benefits outweigh the risks. While on HRT, It is important for our patients to have frequent blood testing and be in close communication with our team at WBM.
Meet the Well by Messer (WBM) Team
Under the leadership of top endocrinologist in New York, Dr. Caroline Messer, our caring and talented team of board-certified endocrinologists, gynecologists, psychologists, nutritionists, and personal trainers will be dedicated to supporting your success at our metabolic centers in Manhattan.
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