Hormone replacement therapy or HRT increases the estrogen and progestin levels in your body. There are numerous options available to you for hormone replacement therapy, including continuous and cyclic along with higher-dose and low-dose.

Combining progestin with estrogen:

• Can protect against endometrial cancer

• Is not needed for women who have no uterus

• May trigger monthly withdrawal bleeding when progestin is not used consistently

It should be noted that direct sunlight or high heat can increase, then lower, the amount of hormone released from a patch. This can give you a big dose at the time and leave fewer hormones for the patch to release later in the week. It is also recommended that you avoid direct sunlight on the hormone patch. Also avoid using a tanning bed, heating pad, electric blanket, hot tub, or sauna while you are using a hormone patch.

Hormone replacement therapy is just a way of life for millions of women. If you think that you may be a candidate for hormone replacement therapy or are experiencing menopause you should consult your health care professional for what treatment options are available to you and what will work for your specific needs and if estrogen therapy is for you.

If you think that HRT is something that you need, talk with your health professional about your reasons for starting HRT. Are you taking it to help with perimenopausal symptoms or for long-term health reasons? If you and your healthcare professional decide that HRT is the best choice for you, plan to use the lowest possible effective dose, you can increase as necessary, but your healthcare provide will guide you in this process.

If you think that you may be experiencing menopause you should discuss this with your doctor and ask about hormone replacement therapy.

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