Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) usually estrogen and/or testosterone. HRT eliminating the need for daily pills, patches, or injections.
long-acting hormone therapy are generally considered safe when used appropriately under the guidance of a knowledgeable healthcare provider. However, as with any medical treatment, there are some risks and side effects to consider.
The benefits of HRT slow-release doses include:
- Steady hormone release over 3-6 months from a single insertion - Avoidance of peaks and valleys in hormone levels - Elimination of daily dosing inconvenience - Potential improvement of menopause symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, sleep disturbances, and mood changes in women - Potential benefits for low testosterone symptoms in men like low energy, decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and loss of muscle mass
The potential side effects and risks of HRT slow-release doses include:
- Insertion site irritation or infection - stroke, heart attack, breast and endometrial cancer - these risks appear mainly with oral combined (estrogen progestin) HRT, but likely also apply to steady-release hormone therapy to some degree, especially at higher doses - Interactions with other medications - Need for slow-release doses to be replaced every 3-6 months with a minor surgical procedure
To minimize risks, long-acting hormone therapy should only be prescribed by healthcare providers experienced with their use and dosing. Careful patient selection and monitoring is important. Women with a history or high risk of hormonally driven cancers, blood clots, or cardiovascular disease may not be good candidates.
The lowest effective hormone doses should be utilized and tailored to the individual based on lab testing and clinical response. Starting at lower doses and gradually increasing as needed can help identify the minimum doses that provide symptom relief and avoid over-replacement.
Regular follow up visits every 3-6 months allows for lab testing to check hormone levels, and screening for potential side effects. down as necessary over time.
In summary, long-acting hormone therapy can be a convenient and effective form of HRT when used judiciously under medical supervision. While no therapy is completely without risk, the benefits generally outweigh the potential downsides for appropriately selected patients. Lifestyle measures like regular exercise, healthy diet, calcium and vitamin D supplementation, and cancer screening when recommended can further help minimize risks.
If you are considering long-acting hormone therapy, have an open discussion with your healthcare provider about your goals, medical history, risks, benefits, alternatives, and monitoring plan. Finding an experienced safety, and outcomes. You can also check out
