What Type of HRT Is Right for Me?

Once you’ve recognized the symptoms of hormone deficiency and decided to seek treatment, the next step is to choose who will guide you in your journey and educate you on your options for therapy. There are several different types of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and the choice is extremely personalized. Dr. Paul Cox and Nurse Practitioner Jordan Carney give us a quick preview of some of the options available at Vital Living and why it’s so important to trust a skilled provider.

Q: What are the different types of HRT?
There are many methods for HRT. For women, it can be as simple as a troche (something that melts in your mouth over a few minutes), a patch that can be changed every few days or a hormone cream or gel that you apply directly to the skin. For men, there are injections that can be done either at home or in the office, as well as topical therapies. Another great option for men and women is pellets or hormone implants that can last several months at a time.

Q: How do you determine which method is best?
If it’s the testosterone component of HRT, for women the choices are troches, topical creams or gels, or implants. Men can choose injections, topical creams or gels, or implants. We do not recommend injection therapy for HRT for women as there is very little scientific evidence on its effectiveness. We also avoid estrogen pills for women as the science shows there is a risk of unwanted side effects with that method of treatment. Most of our patients prefer the implant or pellet therapy for both estradiol (estrogen) and testosterone due to the longevity of the treatment and consistent levels from that type of therapy.

Q: Why is it important to visit a provider with knowledge of each type of HRT?
When you undergo hormone replacement therapy, you’re trusting somebody with a significant part of your future health and well-being. That deserves expert research, training, talent and dedicated passion by your practitioner to listen to you and get the treatment right. At Vital Living Healthcare, we research proven HRT data on an ongoing basis so we can integrate what’s new and data-driven into our practice. This means you can be sure you’re getting the most up-to-date, personalized care.

Board-certified in anti-aging and family medicine, Paul E. Cox, M.D., MS, is an expert at turning back time. Firmly rooted in a scientific approach, Vital Living Healthcare focuses on early detection, prevention and innovative treatments to reverse age-related decline. By using state-of-the-art techniques and focusing on all aspects of your health, Dr. Cox can create a personalized plan for maintaining or reclaiming your health and vitality. Schedule your complimentary consultation with Dr. Cox today.