What Hormones Are Used During Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has become a popular option for women as they progress through perimenopause and menopause. During these natural stages of life, a woman’s hormones fluctuate dramatically and then decline over time. HRT seeks to optimize a woman’s hormones to alleviate or reduce the symptoms associated with these stages and enhance overall health.
Hormone replacement therapy helps to make the transition through perimenopause and menopause easier by providing a solution to a number of troublesome symptoms like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, loss of libido, and more.
Which Hormones are the Most Important Regarding HRT?
An important part of hormone replacement therapy is understanding which hormones will be used to assist in relieving such symptoms. The three primary hormones involved in this process are estradiol (a bioidentical estrogen), progesterone (a bioidentical progestogen), and testosterone.
Estradiol
Many women recognize estradiol as a hormone that is at the center of their body’s reproductive functions. Estradiol prepares your uterine environment to accept and maintain a fertilized egg. It is also responsible for many of the changes that ladies begin to notice as they go through puberty, such as:
- The development of breasts
- The beginning of a woman’s menstrual cycle
- The development of wider hips to assist during childbirth
Testosterone
Although testosterone is traditionally thought of as a male hormone, it is also essential for a woman’s health. Testosterone is produced by a woman’s ovaries and adrenal glands and is vital for:
- Maintaining bone mineral density
- Building and maintaining muscle mass
- Promoting optimal sexual desire and function
- Preventing weight gain in the form of fat
Progesterone
Progesterone is essential to a woman’s reproductive system. This hormone is produced by the ovaries when a woman ovulates and releases an egg each month. Progesterone is important in regards to fertility, because it helps maintain an early pregnancy before the placenta is fully developed and functioning.
Progestins, such as medroxyprogesterone acetate or norethindrone, are artificial hormones that mimic some aspects of progesterone. Progestins are key components of many forms of birth control and treatment methods for female health conditions like endometriosis or amenorrhea. They are also used in synthetic HRT to treat some menopausal issues.
Sources:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/181726.php
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/277177.php
http://www.yourhormones.info/hormones/testosterone.aspx https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/277737.php
Schedule an HRT Consultation in Metairie, LA Today
Contact Swing Women’s Health and Wellness at (504) 582-9010 for Hormone replacement therapy, a safe and effective solution to help you regain your vitality and well-being. You can also conveniently schedule an appointment through our secure online form, ensuring a seamless and confidential experience tailored to your health needs.
