Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormone replacement therapy is available from the Cheyenne Women’s Clinic as part of a treatment for severe menopause symptoms. We offer bioidentical and other hormone replacement therapies.
Bioidentical hormone preparations are medications that contain hormones like estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone. They are an exact chemical match to those made naturally by humans, as opposed to hormones produced from other animals or from plants that are slightly chemically different from human hormones. Bioidentical hormones bind to many of the same chemical receptors and can provide relief from menopause symptoms.
Popular media often leads readers to believe that bioidentical hormone replacement is safer than other methods. However, there are similar potential risks with bioidentical hormones as there are with other hormone replacement therapy used for relieving symptoms of menopause. Some hormone replacement therapy has been linked to increased risks of conditions such as breast cancer, stroke, or blood clots. Most health experts recommend that if women need hormone replacement therapy, they take the lowest dose that relieves symptoms for the shortest time possible. Risks also increase with using the hormone replacement therapy at older ages, whereas using it for a short time around the age of menopause may not significantly increase them.
Should you consider hormone replacement therapy? Hormone replacement, bioidentical or otherwise, can offer an effective treatment for menopausal symptoms, including:
- Moderate to severe hot flashes
- Night sweats and sleep problems
- Vaginal dryness
- Mood changes
- Weight gain and slowed metabolism
- Thinning hair and dry skin
We recommend you talk about your symptoms, history, options, and risks with your provider at Cheyenne Women’s Clinic prior to making the decision to begin hormone replacement therapy. If you are interested in it, we would be happy to talk with you about it. Call for an appointment, 307.637.7700.