Hormone replacement therapy · HRT
Hormone replacement therapy: Compare practices from our network
HRT replaces hormones the body makes less of, most often to relieve menopause symptoms. It is a prescribed medical treatment, decided with a clinician after an assessment.
Our network
Hormone replacement therapy providers from Adoreal's partner network.
Irvine, California · United States
South Coast Plastic Surgery (SoCo)
Hormone care led by the practice's nurse practitioner, with lab work before treatment and at each stage of follow-up.
Irvine, California · United States
South Coast Plastic Surgery (SoCo)
Hormone care led by the practice's nurse practitioner, with lab work before treatment and at each stage of follow-up.
Ready to see who performs hormone replacement therapy near you?
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How to choose a hormone therapy provider
Board certification is the starting point. The details below are worth weighing carefully when you're choosing the provider who's right for your goals.
Here's what to look for before you decide:
Hormone therapy should be prescribed by a qualified clinician after a full assessment.
Your symptoms, medical and family history, blood pressure and current medicines should all be reviewed. Ask who prescribes, what their qualification is, and who you contact between appointments.
Ask whether the product is an approved medicine.
Licensed HRT comes in many doses and forms. If a provider suggests a custom-compounded product, ask why an approved medicine is not suitable for you.
Risks should be explained for you, not in general.
Your history of cancer, blood clots, migraine or high blood pressure changes which type and form is safest. A provider who talks through your own risks is doing the job properly.
Be cautious of broad promises.
Public bodies describe HRT as a treatment for menopause symptoms and osteoporosis prevention, and testosterone as a treatment for a confirmed deficiency. Claims that hormones will reverse aging or transform energy go beyond that evidence.
Follow-up should be built in.
Expect a review at around three months, then yearly, and regular blood tests if you take testosterone. Ask how dosing is checked and what happens if you want to stop.
Before your consultation, prepare this question
“Which type and form do you recommend for me, why, and what are my personal risks?”
A clinician who answers with your history in mind, and who is comfortable discussing alternatives, is treating you rather than a protocol.
Find a Hormone replacement therapy ProviderAbout the treatment
About hormone replacement therapy
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a treatment used to relieve symptoms of the menopause, such as hot flashes and night sweats, by replacing the estrogen the body makes less of. If you still have a uterus, estrogen is combined with a progestogen to protect the lining of the uterus.
Hormone therapy is also used for men with a confirmed testosterone deficiency. The NHS describes late-onset hypogonadism as an uncommon, specific medical condition and not a normal part of aging, which is why testosterone is offered only when a specialist confirms the diagnosis with blood tests.
What is HRT?
A prescribed treatment that replaces estrogen, usually with a progestogen if you have a uterus, to relieve menopause symptoms. Testosterone therapy is used for men with a confirmed deficiency.
Forms
Tablets, skin patches, gel, spray and vaginal forms. Some practices also offer injections or pellets placed under the skin.
Benefits
Relief of menopause symptoms, often within a few days or weeks, and help preventing osteoporosis.
Risks and side effects
A slightly increased risk of breast cancer with combined HRT, and of blood clots and stroke with tablets. Early side effects such as breast tenderness and headaches usually settle within weeks.
When to seek medical attention
Seek care promptly if you notice:
- Pain, swelling or warmth in one leg
- Sudden shortness of breath or chest pain
- Vaginal bleeding after your periods had stopped, or bleeding that becomes heavier
- A new lump or change in your breast
Contact your prescriber directly, or seek emergency care for chest pain or breathlessness.
Common questions
Hormone replacement therapy questions, answered.
If your question isn't here, ask us directly. A real person answers, and we won't push you toward anything.
Talk to us →What does HRT treat?
Mainly menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and sleep problems. It also helps prevent osteoporosis. Testosterone therapy is used in men only when a deficiency is confirmed.
Do I have to wait until my periods stop?
No. The NHS says you do not need to wait until symptoms are severe or your periods have stopped completely before talking to a clinician about HRT.
Which form is best?
It depends on your symptoms and health. Patches, gels and sprays do not increase the risk of blood clots the way tablets can, which matters for some people. Your clinician should explain the trade-offs.
Does HRT cause breast cancer?
Combined HRT slightly increases the risk, and the risk rises with longer use. The NHS estimates around 5 extra cases in every 1,000 women who take combined HRT for 5 years. Discuss your own risk with your clinician.
Are bioidentical hormones safer?
Many approved HRT medicines already contain hormones identical to the body's own. Custom-compounded "bioidentical" products are not approved, and the FDA says there is no evidence they are safer or more effective than approved therapy.
What about testosterone for women?
In the UK, testosterone is not licensed for menopause symptoms, but a menopause specialist may prescribe it for low sex drive in some women. If you take it, regular blood tests check the dose is not too high.
What is "male menopause"?
The NHS calls it an unhelpful term. A small number of men develop a genuine testosterone deficiency, which a specialist confirms with blood tests. Many of the symptoms people describe have other causes, such as stress, sleep or alcohol.
How long can I take HRT?
There is no fixed limit. You and your clinician review it every year and continue as long as the benefits outweigh the risks. When you stop, a gradual reduction over three to six months is usually recommended.
Are there alternatives?
Yes. Lifestyle changes, cognitive behavioral therapy for hot flashes and night sweats, and non-hormonal medicines are options for people who cannot or prefer not to take HRT.
