The advantages of NHR for menopausal and perimenopausal women are now quite clear, and include:
- Custom-made, balanced formulations of natural hormones, tailored to the individual’s unique needs
- Effective relief of hot flushes, night sweats and vaginal dryness
- Improved sleep, and better mood, concentration and memory
- Enhanced libido (sex drive)
- Prevention (and reversal) of osteoporosis
- Better maintenance of muscle mass and strength
- Reduced risk of breast and endometrial cancer
- Many fewer unwanted effects compared with standard HRT
Natural hormones may be administered as:
- Transdermal creams (absorbed through the skin), e.g. natural progesterone cream
- Sublingual sprays and drops (absorbed under the tongue)
- Tablets, e.g. oestriol
- Troches (medicated lozenges; absorbed through the mouth)
- Capsules of micronised hormones (taken by mouth and absorbed via the lymphatics)
- Vaginal creams and gels
Tailor-made formulations can be prepared by compounding pharmacists (on prescription), and with a range of routes of administration available and no pre-set dosage, it is possible to find a suitable combination to meet every woman’s needs and preferences.
Dosage can be monitored, adjusted and fine-tuned according to blood or salivary hormone levels, specific symptoms and individual response.
Natural hormone replacement should, of course, always be utilised alongside a comprehensive lifestyle program which should also pay attention to diet, nutritional supplementation, exercise and stress management.
