Hormone Replacement Therapy

Menopause can cause long-term problems ranging from hot flashes and night sweats to depression and irritability. Board-certified OB/GYN Dee L. Hubbard, MD, in Catonsville, Maryland, offers hormone replacement therapy to combat these and other menopause symptoms at her practice. With her help, you can navigate your way through menopause with minimal difficulty. Call Dr. Hubbard’s office to schedule a hormone replacement therapy evaluation or request an appointment online today.

What is hormone replacement therapy?

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) helps women who find the changes caused by menopause affect their quality of life.

Perimenopause typically begins in middle age when women’s bodies naturally slow down estrogen and progesterone (female sex hormone) production. Your menstrual cycle changes, and eventually, you stop having periods. When you’ve gone 12 months without menstruating, you’re in menopause.

Decreasing hormone levels during this time can have various effects that many women find difficult to manage, especially because they can last for 4-5 years or longer. Common problems include the following:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Mood swings
• Brain fog
• Chronic fatigue
• Depression and/or anxiety
• Low sex drive
• Thinning skin and hair
• Vaginal dryness
• Painful sex

HRT restores hormonal balance and minimizes these unpleasant symptoms, allowing you to feel more like yourself again.

Is hormone replacement therapy the right choice for me?

HRT is a highly effective treatment that offers many women much-needed relief from menopause symptoms. However, it isn’t suitable for all patients. Dr. Hubbard will likely suggest alternatives if you’ve ever had any of the following:

• Blood clots
• Breast cancer
• Endometrial cancer
• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Liver disease

Blood clots include deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the legs and pulmonary embolism in the lungs, where the clotted blood stops flowing and forms a blockage.

Dr. Hubbard recommends the most appropriate treatment for menopause symptoms based on your medical and family history and how the changes affect you. If you’re unsuitable for HRT, she can recommend other therapies to ease specific symptoms.

How do I take hormone replacement therapy?

HRT is available in several forms. Dr. Hubbard can help you decide which form of HRT suits you best.

You could take daily pills or have patches that stick to your skin and slowly release hormones into your bloodstream. Gels and sprays are also available. Low-dose vaginal estrogen creams, tablets, and rings can target specific problems like vaginal dryness and painful sex.

One popular choice is pelleted HRT, which Dr. Hubbard injects under your skin. The pellet gradually releases hormones into your body for 3-4 months, offering a convenient way to ensure you get the correct dose without having to worry about remembering your pills or applying topical products.

Call Dr. Dee L. Hubbard, MD, to learn more about menopause management and hormone replacement therapy. You can also schedule a consultation using the online booking feature at any time.