If you’re navigating perimenopause or menopause—night sweats, brain fog, mood swings, weight gain, disrupted sleep (all potential symptoms)—you may have heard about hormone therapy, including bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). But what’s fact, what’s fiction and what should you be asking your doctor?
Thanks to modern research and a shift in clinical thinking, more women are finding relief through BHRT—and feeling empowered to advocate for themselves. If you’re thinking about hormone replacement therapy to help relieve symptoms and support nearly every system in your body for years to come, the first step is asking the right questions.
What’s Behind the Ongoing Confusion About Hormone Replacement Therapy?
For years, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was clouded in controversy, largely due to the now-infamous Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study. Published in the early 2000s, the study linked HRT to increased health risks, causing widespread fear and a sharp decline in hormone therapy use. Many women were erroneously left to suffer in silence, without options or guidance.
But here’s the good news: the narrative is changing.
A review in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), which is supported by additional industry publications, sheds important new light on HRT. Over the past two decades, researchers have reanalyzed the WHI data, conducted additional studies and realized the many benefits of hormone replacement therapies, especially for women under 60. Their findings are both positive and evidence-based, giving women a more informed foundation to make personal health decisions.
What to Ask Your Doctor About Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
If you’re curious about BHRT, consider asking your doctor questions like:
- What is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, and why is it important to ensure that my personalized therapies include this instead of synthetic forms of hormones?
- Why should women consider progesterone, estradiol, and testosterone for BHRT?
- Am I a good candidate for BHRT based on my symptoms, health history, and labs?
- How will my hormone levels (and which hormones) be tested and monitored?
- What are the delivery options (e.g., pills, creams, injections, patches, sublingual tablets, pellets) and what are the pros and cons of each?
- How long after starting BHRT should I expect to notice improvements in symptoms?
- What are the potential side effects of BHRT that may occur, and how can they be managed?
- How often will I need follow-up labs or dosage adjustments?
- What happens if I decide to stop BHRT down the road? Am I just controlling symptoms or are the hormones helping to prevent chronic illness, such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and dementia?
Advocating for Yourself Matters
If your doctor dismisses your symptoms or hesitates to discuss hormone therapy, don’t be afraid to seek a second opinion. The science has evolved—and your care should, too.
Whether you’re newly experiencing symptoms or have been struggling for years, BHRT may be the relief you’ve been looking for. The conversation starts with curiosity and the courage to ask the right questions.
And while symptoms are often the catalyst that motivates you to seek the help of a hormone specialist, it’s also important to educate yourself about the potential benefits of BHRT beyond symptom relief. Bioidentical hormones are not just about helping you get a better night’s sleep, or relieving hot flashes, but rather, addressing the underlying physiology and preventing chronic illness for the rest of your life.
As the medical director for Belmar Pharma Solutions, the nation’s leading compounding pharmacy specializing in hormone health and longevity, and founder of the Hormonal Health Institute, Dr. Angela DeRosa oversees comprehensive education, cutting-edge training, and expert guidance in BHRT and integrative health solutions. Learn more about the questions to ask your doctor.
