Estrogen alone can be used for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in certain situations, but combination therapy with progestogen is more commonly recommended, especially for people with an intact uterus.
There are a few key factors to consider when determining if estrogen alone is appropriate:
- Menopausal status - Estrogen alone is only recommended for people who have had their uterus/womb surgically removed (hysterectomy). For those with an intact uterus, estrogen alone can stimulate overgrowth of the uterus lining, which increases the risk of uterine cancer.
- Age/time since menopause - Estrogen alone may be an option for women within 10 years of menopause. Those further out from menopause may still require progestogen to protect the uterus.
- Risk factors - People with a history of heart disease, stroke, blood clots or breast/uterine cancer may require different HRT regimens based on their risk profiles.
Some key points about estrogen for HRT:
- Used to relieve menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness
- Improves bone strength and may prevent osteoporosis
- Multiple forms of estrogen can be used: oral pills, skin patches, vaginal creams/tablets
- Doses are tailored to the individual to reach ideal hormone levels
Estrogen is commonly combined with progestogen for HRT:
- Progestogen helps protect the uterus from overstimulation by estrogen
- Can be given sequentially (estrogen daily, progestogen 10-14 days per month)
- Or continuously (estrogen and progestogen daily)
At HormoVital(), our physicians tailor HRT regimens to each patient's needs, health history and treatment goals. We provide:
✔ Comprehensive lab testing to guide
hormone therapy
✔ Bioidentical hormones including
estradiol,
progesterone and
testosterone
✔ Ongoing monitoring and dosage adjustments
✔ Supportive medical guidance from our HRT specialists
Contact HormoVital() today to discuss whether estrogen alone, or combination HRT is right for you. We develop personalized plans aimed at relieving symptoms and improving long-term wellbeing.
