When it comes to non-traditional approaches to medicine and wellness, there are always those who are quick to dispute their effectiveness. Unfortunately, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is one form of treatment that often falls into this category.
Talking to friends, family, or conducting your own research online may result in conflicting information regarding HRT, and this mixture of information can overcomplicate things, making it challenging to separate fact and fiction.
At Renewed Vitality, we are the Reading, PA area’s main HRT resource. Over the course of several years, we have practiced integrative medicine and focused on natural treatment options. In that time, we have come across (and successfully debunked) a number of common myths surrounding HRT.
For your benefit, we have compiled five of them right here. Take a look below, and then be sure to discuss your options with your doctor to see if Hormone Replacement Therapy from Renewed Vitality may be an option for you.
Myth #1: HRT Only Works for Women
Perhaps due to its significant benefits for both Perimenopausal and Menopausal women, there is a common myth that Hormone Replacement Therapy only works for women. In reality, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Just as women seek HRT to treat menopausal symptoms, men too can address their hormonal imbalances. One important male hormone that can fall out of balance with age is testosterone.
Low testosterone can lead to symptoms like low libido, fatigue, weight fluctuations, and more. There is evidence that HRT can effectively manage these issues in men just as well as they can manage hormone imbalances in women.
Myth #2: HRT Causes Cancer and Heart Disease
This myth and others like it are mostly based on outdated, logically flawed studies that have disproven time and time again.
Original research that discussed HRT and its supposed link to cancer was inherently flawed, and other researchers have gone back to this study and debunked this unfortunate myth.
Although it’s true that receiving more hormones than your body requires can raise the risk of certain types of cancers, properly conducted HRT itself doesn’t cause cancer. Furthermore, HRT does not cause cancer in healthy adults with no history of hormone-sensitive cancer.
When it comes to heart disease, there is even less evidence that this is the case. Recent studies have reported no such association between HRT and heart disease. In fact, studies have found that women taking estrogen-only HRT were actually less likely to develop heart disease.
Myth #3: HRT is Only Beneficial for Severe Symptoms
For some reason, there is a persistent myth that HRT should only be used to address severe symptoms of hormone imbalance. The truth is, you don’t need to wait for your symptoms to get worse before seeking assistance.
HRT can be beneficial even for less severe symptoms that may be having a negative effect on your daily life. These symptoms can include things like hot flashes, night sweats, irritability, and more.
The reality is, if you are experiencing symptoms that may be related to hormone imbalance, there is no such thing as seeking out treatment too early.
Myth #4: There’s Only One Form of HRT
Trying to properly envision hormone replacement therapy treatments can be a challenge if you don’t know what to expect, and many people seem to believe that there is only one way to administer HRT. The truth however, is much less restrictive.
You may be surprised to know that there are several types of HRT, and these types can range from oral to topical formulations. In fact, different types of HRT can be used both alone or in specific combinations in order to best treat your symptoms and balance your hormones.
Myth #5: HRT is Not “Natural”
All bioidentical hormones, even those that are derived from plants, require a chemical process that helps pharmacists synthesize the final product. However, did you know that bioidentical hormones contain an exact molecular match of the human hormone? It’s true!
Whether you’re talking about creams, patches, injections, or pellets, every bioidentical hormone is made up of the most natural form of hormones you can find.
To learn more about HRT and how it may be able to benefit you, don’t hesitate to contact Renewed Vitality today! We’re always accepting new patients!
