Overview
Hormone replacement therapy provides the same hormones your ovaries create. As your body transitions into menopause, your ovaries produce lower levels of estrogen and progesterone. These changes in hormone levels can cause uncomfortable symptoms like:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats and/or cold flashes
- Trouble sleeping
- Vaginal dryness, dry skin, dry eyes or dry mouth
- Mood swings, depression or irritability
- Discomfort during sex
- A frequent need to pee
Our Approach
We consider each client’s individual concerns and experiences and work to tailor treatments to your particular needs and therapeutic goals.
Learn More
Menopause is the end of your menstrual periods. Officially, it’s the point 12 months after your last period. During this time your body produces low levels of estrogen and progesterone.
The transition time leading up to this point is called perimenopause. Perimenopause can begin 10 or more years before your last period. Hormonal shifts occur during this time and you can experience symptoms of perimenopause.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or Menopausal Hormone Therapy, uses hormones like estrogen and progesterone to help ease symptoms of perimenopause and menopause.
There are two main approaches to hormone replacement therapy.
Systemic hormone therapy. Systemic hormone therapy is used to treat the common symptoms of menopause. This HRT is absorbed throughout the body and can be provided as a pill, skin patch, vaginal ring, topical gel, cream or spray.
Low-dose vaginal products. These products usually provide estrogen and are intended to minimize the amount of hormone absorbed by the body. They are usually used to treat the vaginal and urinary symptoms of menopause. This HRT comes in cream, tablet or ring form.
The choice to start HRT is personal and something to discuss with your naturopathic doctor or medical doctor. It is common to have a short trial and error period when you start HRT. You’ll work together with your naturopathic doctor to figure out the type and dose of HRT to best treat your unique symptoms.
Hormone replacement therapy can help you if you:
- Have moderate to severe hot flashes or night sweats
- Vaginal symptoms such as dryness, itching, burning and discomfort during sex
- Need to prevent bone loss or fractures
- Experience early menopause or have estrogen deficiency
- Reduced risk of developing osteoporosis and reduced risk of breaking a bone
- Improved mood and overall sense of mental well-being in some women
- Improved sleep
- Increased concentration
- Lowered risk of colon cancer
- Lowered risk of diabetes
- Modest improvement in joint pains
- Lower death rate for women who take hormone therapy in their 50s
Initial appointment
About 90 minutes
Your naturopathic doctor will:
- Review your health history, family history and lifestyle factors
- Discuss risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy specific to you
- Do a physical exam
- Order blood tests or other lab tests, as necessary
- Possibly provide a prescription
Note: You may need to wait for your naturopathic doctor to review your lab results at your follow-up appointment before you receive a prescription
Follow-up appointments:
About 30 to 45 minutes
You can expect your naturopathic doctor to:
- Provide a prescription, if your lab results indicate HRT is appropriate for you and if you did not receive one during your first visit
- Possibly adjust your prescription(s), as necessary
- Discuss expectations, possible side effects, and a timeline for ongoing treatment
Our Practitioners
We take an empathetic approach to your care and always provide the most up-to-date information and resources. We want to help you on your journey to recovery.
Not sure where to start? Call 250-475-1522, ext 2. and our patient care coordinators will help.
