Hormone Replacement Therapy: Patches, Creams, or Pills - Which is Best?

Hormone replacement therapy is often administered with the use of patches, creams or pills. There have not been enough studies to show which is better; however, any form of hormone replacement therapy that helps abate your symptoms is good.

Significance

• Hormone replacement therapy is used to manage menopause and its symptoms, such as hot flashes, changes in libido, and sleeplessness. Hormone replacement is meant to restore a woman's estrogen and progesterone.

Types

• The hormones can be given through pills, patches or creams.

Identification

• Creams are applied to any thin skin areas, like the inner forearms. Patches are placed on a clean area of skin and replaced once or twice a week. Pills are taken once a day, or according to a doctor's orders.

Expert Insight

• After doing her own test with patients, Dr. Jane Murray at www.virginiahopkinstestkits.com found that her patients were responding better to patches and creams rather than pills.

Benefits

• Hormone replacement not only releives the symptoms of menopause but also can prevent bone loss, and reduce the risk of colon cancer.

Warning

• Hormone replacement therapy can increase the chances of having a stroke, gallbladder disease and high blood pressure.