Is HRT Safe? Below are some conclusions from recent, multiple, evidence-based studies that examined HRT safety and the benefits of HRT therapy. Evidence-based Studies Many women who want to try HRT medications to relieve menopausal symptoms such as loss of libido, hot flashes, mood swings and night sweats worry about safety. To make sense of it all, here are some conclusions from recent, multiple, evidence-based studies that have examined HRT safety: For healthy 45-to-60-year-old women, the benefits of HRT therapy for menopausal symptoms “outweigh the risks,” a clinical phrase physicians use when prescribing any medication, not just bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. For the women noted above, estradiol (estrogen) does not cause breast cancer and, when given under the skin – not orally by mouth – does not increase the risk of blood clots, heart disease, or stroke. These safety risks only come into play when estrogen is given orally and is processed by the liver to reach the body. Today’s bioidentical hormones slowly release estrogen and testosterone via tiny pellets placed under the skin and are biologically identical to hormones the body makes. Former versions of HRT were made from pregnant mare’s urine and taken by mouth. HRT medications deliver health benefits: New evidence shows that in the correct dose and properly timed during perimenopause and menopause, HRT therapy reduces the occurrence of bone loss and osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s disease. Hormone replacement therapy affords women in their forties and fifties new options for living an energetic and engaged life, symptom-free from the ravages of hormone depletion. And during andropause, men now consider HRT therapy to boost testosterone levels, which during midlife decreases, causing muscle loss, fat gain, low energy and erectile dysfunction. When starting HRT therapy, choosing high-quality, safe, personalized care is essential. At Renuva HRT & Wellness , Colleen McCleery, MD, FACOG, is the Medical Director and a board-certified OB/GYN who trained with Dr. Gino Tutera, an international pioneer in HRT therapy. Linda Batastini-Farnoly, APN-C, a nurse practitioner at Renuva, specializes in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy and has worked alongside Dr. McCleery for over eight years. To schedule a consultation with Dr. McCleery and the staff at Renuva, please call us at (856) 229-9495. What to Know What is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT)? As women enter perimenopause and menopause, and the end of their reproductive years, estrogen and testosterone levels naturally diminish and can trigger symptoms that include fatigue, insomnia, hot flashes, mood swings, weight gain, loss of libido and brain fog—disrupting work, play and relationships and destroying the quality of life. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, restores hormones to a prior level—balancing mind and body. Is HRT safe? The latest evidence-based, peer-reviewed clinical literature concludes that estradiol does not cause breast cancer and, when given under the skin – not orally by mouth – does not increase the risk of blood clots, heart disease or stroke. These risks only come into play when estrogen is given orally and is processed by the liver to reach the body. In addition, new evidence shows that HRT in the right dose and properly timed during perimenopause and menopause, reduces the occurrence of osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s disease. The hormones in HRT are biologically identical to the ones our body produces. They are most effective and safest when delivered across or under the skin, in the form of a subcutaneous pellet (which lasts for three to four months), a cream or a patch. Can HRT stop aging? HRT can’t stop normal aging, but HRT therapy can provide health benefits. Today, women and men go strong well into their eighties, and want as many good years as possible, feeling energetic, vital and attractive. Taking a proactive approach to aging through good nutrition, exercise and symptom relief with bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can help assure physical, emotional and sexual vitality across a lifespan. How long does each HRT treatment last? Women usually require hormone replacement therapy every three to four months, and men, every five to six months. How is BHRT different from other forms of HRT? Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy differs from traditional HRT as it is derived directly from all-natural sources, making the hormones identical to those produced by the human body. Testosterone for women? Before menopause, women naturally produce estradiol (estrogen) and testosterone. While men have much higher levels of testosterone, this hormone is essential for women, too. When testosterone levels drop, it leads to multiple symptoms, including fatigue, muscle loss, fat gain and loss of libido. Testosterone for men? After age 35, men’s testosterone or ‘T’ levels decrease rapidly and cause muscle loss, fat gain, low energy, insomnia, and in many cases, erectile dysfunction. HRT can restore testosterone levels to those of a man in his mid-twenties, dose-tailored for the patient. How is HRT taken? A proven, safe, and effective way to rebalance hormonal levels is with bioidentical HRT in tiny slow-release estradiol and testosterone pellets inserted under the skin. HRT is dosed differently for each patient, based on age, where she/he is in the menopause/andropause spectrum, symptoms and personal history. What happens during a first visit with Dr. McCleery? During a patient’s initial consultation, Dr. McCleery will discuss your symptoms, personal and medical history, and emotional and psychological well-being. It will take about one hour. Dr. McCleery will determine your starting dose based on data from a worldwide patient population and test your hormonal levels through a laboratory for a baseline to prescribe. Rarely does someone need regular blood tests to follow hormone levels. When do I see the doctor again after I receive my first HRT dose? After four to six weeks about your first HRT treatment, Dr. McCleery will check in with you to see how you feel. Dr. McCleery believes in “treating the patient, not the lab.” If you still experience estrogen, you may need a slight “boost.” HRT is available in so many places; why get it from a doctor? Dr. McCleery is a board-certified OB/GYN physician in practice for more than 27 years and a specialist in HRT. Dr. McCleery is a North American Menopause Society (NAMS) certified practitioner who trained with Dr. Gino Tutera, a world-renowned HRT specialist. She brings thousands of patient hours of HRT clinical experience to every person. Understanding how to dose each patient correctly and follow them on their ‘hormone journey’ can’t be achieved by online sources, off-the-shelf hormones, or non-medical outlets ‘selling’ HRT. Will my insurance pay for HRT with Dr. McCleery Please be aware the consultations/services provided by Dr. McCleery and the staff at Renuva HRT & Wellness are not covered by insurance. Please contact our office to receive a quote/estimate for your visit. How do I make an appointment with Dr. McCleery? To schedule a consultation with Dr. McCleery and the staff at Renuva, please call (856) 229-9495.