There is so much misconception about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and menopause. I was recently featured on #justASK, a healthcare podcast dedicated to providing evidenced-based information from a team of sexual health experts. #justASK is hosted by Tara Thompson and Heather Quaile.
It was great to break down some of those misconceptions, and dive into the importance of hormone replacement therapy, solutions to frustrating peri-menopause and menopause symptoms, and myths and taboos surrounding these topics.
Women’s health has been under-researched and under-funded for way too long, and that’s a large reason why there is such a lack of comprehensive information.
A few notes you’ll hear me address in the podcast:
- One of the biggest problems around lack of access to hormones is that there’s an entire generation of practitioners (physicians, nurses, PAs) who heard hormones were risky and were never trained to administer HRT. The medical community is finally coming around to addressing this misinformation and are finally being trained to replace hormones safely.
- Hormones fluctuate throughout our lives. Fun fact: The only time in a woman’s life when her hormones are the same level as they are after menopause is when she’s breastfeeding. In the context of breastfeeding, those low hormone levels are a good thing, whereas it can be incredibly harmful during menopause.
- Hormones prevent bone loss, and ultimately prevent fractures. Hormone therapy, and non-hormonal medications, can all help strengthen bones and prevent osteoporosis.
- There tends to be an increase in sex drive around the middle of a menstrual cycle. These are the same hormones that can stimulate libido during menopause, and we can apply them so that they stimulate the brain and can help increase interest in sex beyond reproductive years.
Listen to the full podcast below, and feel free to comment with any questions. You can also make an appointment to figure out if hormones are right for your body.
