Common Hormones For Replacement Therapy

Hormones found in the female body include:

• Estrogen
• Progesterone
• Testosterone
• Melatonin
• Insulin

Estrogen and progesterone are created naturally within the body and both fulfill vital roles. Any rise and fall in hormone levels can gravely affect health and well-being. It is, therefore, important to maintain healthy hormone levels, especially during and after menopause. Keep reading to find out more about the different types of HRT available.

The Most Common Hormones Used for Replacement Therapy

HRT comes in a variety of forms and utilizes different hormones, since not all women suffer from similar symptoms. Consequently, women should discuss the various options with their doctor. The three main types of HRT are discussed in more detail below.

Estrogen Hormones Replacement Therapy

Estrogen replacement therapy introduces external estrogen into the body via pill, patch, injection, or another method. Most commonly, HRT combines estrogen and progesterone to create a compound hormone replacement therapy.

Progesterone Hormones Replacement Therapy

Progesterone-only therapy is not commonly prescribed. Progesterone is usually combined with estrogen and, sometimes, testosterone. There are two forms of progesterone HRT:

Natural Progesterone Replacement Therapy involves natural substances that produce a matter that is chemically almost identical to the progesterone produced in the ovaries.

Synthetic Progesterone Replacement Therapy involves fabricated compounds that bind to the body’s progesterone receptors and essentially function in the same manner as the body's own progesterone.

Testosterone Hormones Replacement Therapy

Doctors rarely prescribe stand-alone testosterone for women; instead, if testosterone levels are low, a combination of testosterone, progesterone, and estrogen will be prescribed.

Recently, it has become more common for doctors to prescribe a combination of the three hormones, though research on long-term effects of this combination is incomplete.

Now that the most common hormones used in replacement therapy have been enumerated, continue reading to learn about estrogen hormone replacement therapy.

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