Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): What You Need to Know

Thinking about hormone replacement therapy? Whether you're dealing with menopause symptoms, low testosterone, or long-term hormone loss, HRT can help — but it also has trade-offs. This page gives plain, useful steps so you know what to expect, how treatments differ, and how to stay safe while keeping costs down.

Types & How They Work

HRT comes in a few common forms. For people assigned female at birth, estrogen-only therapy or combined estrogen-progestin therapy eases hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness. For people assigned male at birth, testosterone replacement can improve energy, sex drive, and muscle mass when levels are low. Delivery matters: pills, skin patches, gels, creams, and injections release hormones differently and can change side effects and health risks.

Bioidentical hormones are advertised as "natural" but aren’t automatically safer. Some are standard, pharmacy-made prescriptions; others are custom-compounded. Ask your clinician how the product is made and why they recommend it for your situation.

Starting HRT: Tests, Timing, and Risks

Before starting, get basics checked: a blood test for hormone levels, thyroid check, and routine screening like blood pressure and a recent mammogram if applicable. Your clinician should explain likely benefits and the main risks — for example, HRT can raise blood clot or stroke risk for some people and may affect breast cancer risk depending on the type and duration of therapy.

Follow-up matters. Expect a review at about 3 months to measure effects and side effects, then periodic checks each year. If side effects appear — mood swings, spotting, severe headaches — contact your clinician sooner. HRT isn’t one-size-fits-all: dose, form, and how long you continue all depend on your health and goals.

Want fewer risks? Transdermal options (patches or gels) often have lower clot risk than some oral hormones. Using the lowest effective dose for the shortest time that meets your goals is a good starting rule.

Looking for alternatives? Lifestyle steps — improving sleep, reducing alcohol, regular weight-bearing exercise, and targeted vaginal moisturizers — can ease some symptoms without hormones. Certain supplements and prescription non-hormonal drugs also help specific problems like hot flashes or vaginal dryness; ask your clinician for options that match your needs.

Saving money: compare prices at trusted pharmacies, check generic options, and ask your prescriber if a patch or pill has a cheaper equivalent. If you buy online, use reputable, licensed pharmacies and keep your prescription. Cheap can be risky if the source is unverified.

Bottom line: HRT can improve quality of life when chosen carefully. Talk openly with your clinician about goals, risks, and costs, get the right tests, and schedule follow-ups. That helps you get benefits while keeping safety front and center.