In their late 40s or early 50s, women experience a decline in hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, leading to symptoms such as hot flashes, insomnia, irregular periods, breast tenderness, weight changes, incontinence, and painful sex. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been used for decades to manage these symptoms, but early treatments with synthetic hormones caused concerns about safety.
Dr. Hatfield advocates for bio-identical hormones, which match the body's natural hormones, and emphasizes the importance of comprehensive lab testing to determine the exact needs of each woman. Options for HRT include patches, compounded creams, capsules, or hormone pellets. When properly administered, HRT is safe and can prevent age-related diseases like osteoporosis, dementia, and heart disease while enhancing quality of life.
Recognizing that every woman is unique, Dr. Hatfield customizes hormone replacement programs to meet individual needs. If HRT isn’t suitable due to medical history, alternative treatments are explored to manage menopause effectively.