Navigating perimenopause can feel like riding a roller coaster. If you’re considering hormone replacement therapy (HRT), here are some tips to help you make informed choices tailored to your needs:
- Weighing Your Options: Different formulations come with their own pros and cons. Transdermal options like patches or gels are safer than oral (they skip the 1st pass metabolism in the liver) thus reducing the risk of blood clots.
- The Dynamic Duo: If you have a uterus, pairing estrogen with progesterone (like micronized progesterone/prometrium) is key. This combo helps protect against potential complications from unopposed estrogen. And if you’re considering vaginal estrogen, no need to add in progesterone – unless you need the sleep/anxiety support – which is common.
- Starting Small: When it comes to hormones, less can be more. Begin with lower doses of estrogen & progesterone, then gradually increase until you find that sweet spot that alleviates symptoms.
- Listen to Your Body: If you experience side effects like breast tenderness, it might be time to dial back that estrogen dose temporarily. Start low, & adjust as needed!
- Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: It’s important to understand the benefits/risks/alternatives, so that you can choose what works best for you & your health. Talk to your doctor what you’re concerns are & explain any relevant health history. The internet can be a scary place to find reliable information. And social media is also very polarizing on certain topics – hormone discussions are common topics
Navigating perimenopause doesn’t have to be a solo journey. Naturopathic doctors who have obtained extra training in perimenopause/menopause are invaluable during this time to help you have a much smoother journey.
