Myths About Hormone Replacement Therapy Debunked

Just as you celebrated the end of monthly menstrual cramps and bleeding, the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause throw you off your joy wagon. You try to maintain a good attitude about aging — it’s a luxury, you know — but restless nights in soaked sheets and days where your brain feels like it’s shrouded in mist makes that challenging.

You’ve heard that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can restore the balance between estrogen and progesterone in your body to help alleviate or reverse menopause symptoms. But you’ve also heard that HRT raises your risk for heart attacks, stroke, and breast cancer. What’s true? What’s false?

At Elite Gynecology, our expert gynecologists, Molly McBride, MD, and Tamara Guichard, MD, help you transition through menopause. One of the most effective and safe ways to turn off symptoms that make your life uncomfortable and unproductive is HRT.

However, we understand that a lot of misinformation about HRT still floats about and may keep you on the fence about whether to move forward or not. We’ve compiled this list of myths and facts about HRT to help you make the decision that’s best for you. 

Myth: HRT causes breast cancer and stroke

Fact: HRT is safe. The first studies on HRT were conducted in women who’d been in menopause for a while and also had other health risk factors, which skewed the data. 

We now know that HRT is safe for most women, even when used over the long term. However, we make sure that you’re a good candidate for HRT and aren’t already at high risk for complications due to underlying health conditions. We also monitor you closely to be sure you stay healthy while on HRT.

Myth: HRT is made from horse urine

Fact: Not true anymore! Since the early days of HRT, much has changed. The original hormones were, indeed, synthesized from mare’s urine. But they didn’t match the molecular structure of human hormones. 

Today’s HRT is actually something called bioidentical HRT (BHRT). The hormones are synthesized from plant sources, such as yams. The molecular structure of BHRT hormones are synthesized to be identical to the structure of human hormones. Your body reacts to them just as if it had produced them itself.

Myth: Menopause is natural, so suffering symptoms is natural, too

Fact: Menopause is natural, but so are hurricanes. There’s nothing noble or even healthy about suffering through the symptoms of perimenopause or menopause. In fact, living with “natural,” unbalanced hormones can lead to serious health conditions, including:

• Osteoporosis
• Cognitive decline
• Anxiety and depression
• Sexual dysfunction
• Weight gain and obesity

One of the most detrimental side effects of unbalanced hormones is its effect on sleep. If you suffer from night sweats or insomnia, you may be left with brain fog during the day that affects your memory and ability to think clearly or make good decisions.

When you balance your hormones with BHRT, you sleep better, so your brain and other organs get a chance to regenerate themselves. You have more energy, a faster metabolism, and your moods are more stable, too. You even get the bonus of better skin, stronger bones, and less hair loss.

Myth: HRT is too experimental

Fact: HRT has been tried and tested and found safe for decades. All of the BHRT products we recommend are FDA approved, including:

• Oral pills
• Topical cream
• Vaginal gel
• Skin patch

You choose the type of BHRT that you’re most comfortable with.

Myth: You can’t see the benefits of HRT

Fact: You both see and feel the differences with HRT. You can expect improvements in:

• Sleep
• Mood
• Energy
• Skin quality
• Hair quantity
• Bone density
• Libido
• Vaginal lubrication

Get relief from the symptoms and complications of menopause and perimenopause with safe, effective HRT. Contact us at the office nearest you — in Midtown East, Murray Hill, New York City or in Forest Hills, New York — or use our online appointment button.