There is  a lot of interest in hormone therapy for menopausal women. Recent studies and media publicity have left the public confused about this issue. A significant number of women will have enough symptoms at the time of menopause to need some form of therapy to maintain or return to a normally functioning lifestyle. There are many forms of hormone replacement that work well to alleviate symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, depression, insomnia, vaginal dryness, and other problems related to hormone loss.

 

Some basic principles of hormone replacement, no matter what type is used, are that while they may improve function they DO NOT increase or decrease life expectancy. While they may alter some risks of disease that one may get such as heart disease, breast cancer, and osteoporosis, their overall effect on life expectancy is not changed.  This applies to all forms including bioidentical hormone therapy.

 

Because each individual has such a dynamic health history and symptoms, you should discuss therapy with your provider as treatment must be tailored to the individual patient.