Hormone Replacement Therapy

Board Certified Gynecologist in Charleston, SC

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) offers hope to millions of women affected by distressing menopausal problems. If you suffer from hot flashes, night sweats, difficulty sleeping, mood changes, vaginal dryness or other issues caused by menopause, contact board-certified gynecologist Kristen Matsik, MD, at Women’s Wellness and Sexual Health in Charleston, South Carolina. Dr. Matsik has been certified by the North American Menopause Society as a Certified Menopause Specialist. To request an in-person or telehealth consultation at Women’s Wellness and Sexual Health, use the online booking feature today.

Hormone Replacement Therapy Q & A

What is hormone replacement therapy?

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) helps women who experience unpleasant symptoms related to menopause, when the reproductive stage of a woman’s life ends. These symptoms include:

Irregular menstruation
Hot flashes
Night sweats
Weight gain
Brain fog
Dry skin
Loss of libido
Problems sleeping
Depression
Mood swings
Vaginal dryness
Irritability

Menopause symptoms don’t affect all women in the same way — some experience mild or virtually no problems while others endure significant mental and physical distress.

The process begins with perimenopause, typically in the early to middle forties, although it can be the thirties or fifties for some women. Your body’s estrogen and progesterone (female sex hormone) production decreases to prepare for menopause, triggering the symptoms above.

The process is gradual, taking four or more years for many women. Eventually, your periods stop altogether. When you’ve not menstruated for 12 consecutive months, you’ve reached menopause.

How does hormone replacement therapy help me with menopause?

As the name suggests, HRT consists of hormones that replace the ones lost because of menopause. By boosting your estrogen and progesterone levels, HRT relieves many perimenopausal symptoms, making the transition to menopause far less challenging.

Your Women’s Wellness and Sexual Health provider completes a thorough medical history and individualizes therapy for you.

Is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy available?

BHRT hormones have the same chemical and molecular structure as your body’s estrogen and progesterone. They are FDA-approved and tested for efficacy and absorption.

Can Dr. Matsik treat my symptoms without the use of hormone replacement therapy?

Absolutely. There are many alternative treatments that can be prescribed such as the new nonhormonal drug that works on the hypothalamus. Dr. Matsik will review any contraindications you have to traditional hormone replacement therapy and individualize treatment for you.

Call Women’s Wellness and Sexual Health to learn more about hormone replacement therapy, or schedule a consultation online today.