Understanding Menopause Hormone Therapy

Apr 7, 2025

Lecture Notes: Menopause Hormone Therapy by Dr. Mary Claire Haver

Introduction

  • Presenter: Dr. Mary Claire Haver, board-certified obstetrician gynecologist, menopause expert, and culinary medicine certified nutritionist.
  • Focus: Menopause hormone therapy.
  • Platforms: Frequent educator on women's health, especially menopause, via social media.

Key Topics

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

  • Definition: Providing hormones to address estrogen deficiency in perimenopause and menopause.
  • Primary Hormone: Estrogen.
  • Types of Estrogen:
    • Estradiol: Main active estrogen produced by ovaries.
    • Estriol: Prominent during pregnancy.
    • Estrone: Formed in peripheral tissues, less bioactive.

Forms of Estrogen for HRT

  • Synthetic Estrogens: Includes estradiol or conjugated equine estrogens (e.g., Premarin).
  • Body Identical vs. Synthetic: No evidence suggesting superiority of body identical over others.
  • Forms of Administration:
    • Oral pills
    • Transdermal (patches, gels, creams)
    • Vaginal rings
    • Pellets

Considerations for Use

  • Progesterone Requirement:
    • Necessary for women with a uterus to protect the uterine lining.
    • Options include synthetic progestins, natural progesterone, or IUDs containing progesterone.
  • Pellets: Not FDA-regulated, potential discrepancies in content.
  • Insurance: Generally covers options obtained from pharmacies.

Health Implications and Recommendations

  • Menopause Society Recommendations: For women under 60, benefits of HRT often outweigh risks.
  • Risks and Myths: Misunderstandings about breast cancer and other risks.
  • Alzheimer's and Cardiovascular Disease: Early HRT may lower risks.

Personalization and Ethical Considerations

  • Premarin: Ethical concerns over production, expensive, not recommended by Dr. Haver.
  • Indications for HRT:
    • Menopause symptoms
    • No absolute contraindications
    • Consider HRT despite myths about cancer and other risks.

Practical Advice

  • Choosing HRT:
    • Discuss options broadly with physicians.
    • Cost, convenience, and personal health history guide decisions.
  • Lifestyle Adjustments: For skin care, hair loss, and general menopause management.

Audience Interaction and FAQs

  • Common Questions: Addressing various symptoms like itchy skin, hair loss, etc.
  • Menopause-friendly Providers: Recommendation to seek specialists.

Conclusion

  • Final Thoughts: Encourage discussion with healthcare providers, debunk myths, and consider HRT’s broad health benefits.
  • Future Resources: Upcoming webinar with more detailed information.

These notes capture the essence of Dr. Haver's lecture on menopause hormone therapy, outlining the types of hormone therapy, their benefits, risks, and the importance of selecting the right form for individual needs.

Full transcript