A Personalized Approach to Menopause Care

Menopause is a natural life transition—but that doesn’t mean it always feels easy. Many women experience symptoms like hot flashes, sleep disturbances, brain fog, mood swings, and vaginal dryness that can disrupt daily life. Hormone therapy (HT) offers a well-researched and highly effective option to ease these symptoms and support your well-being through midlife and beyond.

Let’s break down what hormone therapy is, how it works, and what you should know when considering if it’s right for you.

What Is Hormone Therapy?

At its core, hormone therapy is designed to replace the estrogen and progestogen hormones your body naturally produces less of during menopause. These hormones play vital roles in regulating temperature, mood, sleep, skin and vaginal tissue health, and bone strength. When levels drop, symptoms can arise.

Hormone therapy—especially when started within 10 years of menopause or before age 60—is considered the gold standard for treating moderate to severe symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and sleep issues. It can also offer long-term health benefits in areas like bone density and heart health when used appropriately.

Two Main Types of Hormone Therapy

Hormone therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all. There are two general categories:

Systemic Hormone Therapy

Systemic HT delivers hormones throughout the body and is typically used to treat more widespread symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats. This form includes:

• Oral pills
• Patches
• Topical gels or sprays
• Vaginal rings (with systemic absorption)

Systemic therapy includes estrogens (either bioidentical or similar to your body’s natural hormones) and, when needed, progestogens to protect the uterus from potential risks related to estrogen alone.

Low-Dose Vaginal Estrogen Therapy

If your main symptoms are vaginal—such as dryness, painful intercourse, or urinary discomfort—a low-dose vaginal estrogen might be recommended. This option delivers targeted relief with minimal hormone absorption into the bloodstream, making it very low risk and ideal for long-term use.

Is Hormone Therapy Safe?

Hormone therapy is safe and effective for many women, especially when started early in the menopause transition. However, it’s not suitable for everyone. Factors such as your personal and family medical history, whether you still have a uterus, and your specific symptoms all play a role in shaping your options.

If you’ve had a hysterectomy, for instance, you may be able to take estrogen alone. If not, you’ll need a combination therapy (estrogen plus progestogen) to prevent uterine cancer. This is one reason why working closely with a trained menopause care provider is so important.

Benefits of Hormone Therapy

When appropriately prescribed, HT can offer a range of health benefits:

• Relief from hot flashes, night sweats, and insomnia
• Improved mood, focus, and quality of life
• Reduced vaginal dryness and discomfort
• Fewer urinary tract infections and overactive bladder symptoms
• Stronger bones and reduced risk of fractures
• Potential reduction in cardiovascular and diabetes risk when started early

For many women, hormone therapy offers not just symptom relief but also an improved sense of control and vitality.

Potential Risks and Considerations

As with any medical therapy, hormone therapy comes with potential risks. These can include:

• Blood clots – Especially with oral forms; risks are lower with transdermal options.
• Stroke – This risk tends to decrease once therapy is discontinued.
• Breast cancer – The risk may rise after several years of combined estrogen-progestogen therapy, but not as quickly with estrogen alone.
• Uterine cancer – For women with a uterus, unopposed estrogen increases risk, so progestogen must be included.

Common side effects like breast tenderness, spotting, or nausea often resolve over time or with adjustments in dose or delivery method. Weight gain is a common concern, but hormone therapy itself is not associated with weight gain and may even support metabolic health in some women.

A Personalized Approach Makes All the Difference

No two women experience menopause in the same way—and your hormone therapy plan should reflect that. With a personalized assessment and ongoing support, we can tailor your therapy to suit your body, your preferences, and your long-term health goals.

Often, it takes a little trial and error to find the best formula and dose. And as your body changes, we can adjust your care plan to meet your evolving needs.

Let’s Talk About What’s Right for You

If you’re navigating menopause and wondering whether hormone therapy could help, you don’t have to figure it out alone. As a Certified Menopause Society Practitioner, Dr. Queen works closely with each woman to understand her full health picture and develop a customized, evidence-based plan that supports her journey through midlife.