HRT is an abbreviation for Hormone Replacement Therapy. Several years ago it became popular for doctors to prescribe the hormone estrogen for women with menopausal symptoms. They thought they were replacing the hormones lost with the advent of menopause. Contemporary physicians now know that estrogen is not the hormone needing to be replaced. They are becoming increasingly aware that it is progesterone that is desperately in need of replacing.

Researchers have empirical evidence that HRT can increase muscle mass, decrease body fat, increase bone density, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, improve your sleep patterns, strengthen your immune system, enhance your sexual drive and performance, regenerate your heart, liver and kidneys, improve your skin tone and remove wrinkles. - (1*, 2*)

Natural hormones are, in fact, bioidentical hormones. The fact that the bioidentical hormones come from natural plants (soy or yam plants) does not make them bioidentical. From there they are taken to a chemical plant where they are further processed into the bioidentical forms. They are further tested for bioidentical purity, so that when a compounding pharmacy receives these products they are ready to be compounded into different dosage forms.

Many women now taking estrogen or estrogen combined with progestins are able to discontinue their HRT. Please consult with a medical professional before doing so. It is possible that if adequate natural progesterone levels were present, any needed estrogen could be made from it. Because progesterone sensitizes estrogen receptors, it makes sense to supplement with progesterone rather than estrogen.

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Since the Women’s Health Initiative Study came out there has been a great deal of confusion about HRT. Most of the press got the information wrong as they mixed bioidentical with synthetic hormones as being all the same. The press never understood the difference between bioidentical and synthetic. The study was done with synthetic hormones and a major arm of the study (Prempro) had to be discontinued because of the risks involved while women were on it.

Studies show that HRT used at the proper dosages to return diminished levels of hormones to their optimum youthful levels rarely has any negative side effects. In fact, long-term studies show that HRT over a period of years is virtually free from side effects while providing continuing benefits. - (1*, 2*)

I've been recently diagnosed with cervical dysplasia and was told after asking, that I have HPV. My son's FORMER girlfriend has the same diagnosis. Do my husband and son need to be tested? My son is concerned about infecting a future partner? We are confused!

Estrogen and progesterone (two of the hormones used in some forms of HRT) may increase a woman's risk for developing breast cancer. Patients should be aware that these hormones affect many tissues in the body and therefore before a patient considers HRT, it is prudent to discuss all the risks, benefits, and limitations of pursuing HRT with a medical doctor.

Aside from the fact that from puberty to menopause a womans body was rarely complicated with serious health issues such as cardiovascular problems one could assume, with high certainty, that estrogen and progesterone were not at the source of such health problems. However, from menopause and on through the rest of a womans life, she gradually becomes complicated with a series of health issues. Such concerns as cardiovascular problems ( stroke, atherosclerosis, etc.

Any physiology book will tell you that estrogen and progesterone are cycled in a rhythm. In the first half of a woman’s typical 28-day cycle there is a peak of estrogen (estradiol) and in the second half of the cycle there is a peak of progesterone. In most conventional HRT, this sort of rhythm has not even been considered. Today, we are learning that the hormonal rhythms may be just as important as the bio-identical nature of the hormones.

Yes, you can take Hotflex™ by itself or in addition to prescription HRT or ERT. As with any dietary supplements, consult with your physician beforehand. Although Hotflex™ has not been reported to interact with other prescription medicines, this issue has not been rigorously studied. Like any other dietary supplements, before taking Hotflex™, it is important that you discuss it with your healthcare professionals.

You may experience some side effects when you first start taking HRT. These will often lessen or disappear after the first few months of treatment. The most common side effects are breast tenderness, irregular bleeding and feeling bloated. Headaches and nausea can also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effects which trouble you or which do not improve over the first 3 months. He or she may suggest trying a different HRT product.

In the first few months, you may notice some fluid retention which can cause you to feel bloated. However, studies have found no evidence that HRT causes women to gain weight. Most women tend to put on a few pounds after the menopause whether or not they take HRT. Some women find that because they feel better in themselves whilst taking HRT, they are more motivated to exercise and eat healthily. This can help to keep weight gain in check.

HRT is short for Hormone Replacement Therapy. HRT has been used in large clinical trials like the Women's Health Initiative, and has been shown to be unhealthy. It does not protect a woman from heart disease nor does it improve her sexual response. It is important to recognize that HRT does not actually replace ovarian hormones, nor was that ever the intention. HRT was designed to help control hot flashes and to reduce bone loss.