Hormone replacement therapy

Questions about bioidentical hormones and other forms of HRT

Let’s explore some of the questions we’re frequently asked at Women to Women about HRT. We want to clear up some of the confusion around synthetic, equine–based, and bioidentical forms — and how to figure out what your best options are.

1.	My doctor wants me to use Provera. I read that this is a synthetic hormone. Should I?
2.	I want to get off Prempro — where do I start?
3.	I want to stop my HRT immediately and get on the Personal Program. Do I need to be on the Program for a while first, or can I just get started now?
4.	Why am I still getting hot flashes — at the age of 60?!
5.	I’ve been experiencing changes in my periods since stopping HRT — is this normal?
6.	Are there bioidentical hormones that can help vaginal dryness and frequent UTI’s?
7.	Suzanne Somers’s books say we have to get blood work done to determine which hormones we need. Is that true?
8.	I live in a very rural area. Should I buy a hormone panel over the internet?
9.	What if all my other hormones are low, besides estrogen?
10.	Where should I wear my estradiol patch, and how often should I change it?
11.	How often should I use my estradiol gel product, and where should I apply it?
12.	How hard is it to switch from compounded bioidentical HRT to FDA-approved bioidentical HRT?
13.	What if I can’t afford testing for hormone therapy?
14.	What about the risks of bioidentical hormone therapy?

Our Personal Program is a great place to start

The Personal Program promotes natural hormonal balance with nutritional supplements, our exclusive endocrine support formula, dietary and lifestyle guidance, and optional phone consultations with our Nurse–Educators. It is a convenient, at-home version of what we recommend to all our patients at the clinic.

To learn more about the Program, go to How the Personal Program works.
To select the Program that's right for your symptoms, go to Choose the plan that works for you.
To assess your symptoms, take our on-line Hormonal Health Profile.
If you're ready to get started, learn about our risk-free trial.

If you have questions, don't hesitate to call us toll-free at 1-800-798-7902. We're here to listen and help.

We’re always happy to welcome new patients to our medical clinic in Yarmouth, Maine, for those who can make the trip. Click here for information about making an appointment.

Related to this article:

References & further reading for FAQ’s about HRT

Original Publication Date: 11/14/2006
Last Modified: 02/16/2010
Principal Author: Marcy Holmes, NP, Certified Menopause Clinician