If you read the package inserts on hormone therapy meds they can scare the living day lights out of you. Think about this; we are replacing a hormone you’ve had in your body for what 30 years or more? It has the potential to greatly increase our quality of life and alleviate symptoms. So let me give you a quick guide on what to expect.
Expect to feel better. You can experience some fast relief days to weeks of some symptoms and other symptoms can take weeks or even months to feel better.
Be Patient. Give it 3 months before you start to think it’s not working. Keep a journal of symptoms before and during to track what symptoms are getting better. We often forget when things start to improve. When it’s getting close to your refill date reach out to the nurse practitioner and let her know what symptoms your still having. We may need to adjust your dose.
Don’t compare yourself to others. Don’t automatically think something is wrong because your friend had such and such symptom disappear before you did. When you first start HRT, your body is adjusting to hormones, some days you may even feel worse. Typically this is expected and temporary; this is also true any time we change dosage change.
If you find yourself getting obsessed about each and every hourly twinge, mood, thought and pain sensation whip out your journal. The symptom journal comes in handy so you can look back and see that your making progress and help put your fears to rest.
Tweaking Doses. HRT is not an exact science. In the first year we are exploring the doses to find the optimal level that controls symptoms. This is why it’s important to communicate before refills are sent if we need to make an adjustment. Complete the refill request survey.
It’s good but it’s not magic. It’s not a cure all for your life. It won’t make you 25 again. Not all of your symptoms may be eliminated. Not all of your health issues are related to your hormone therapy which is why it is essential to continue seeing in person primary care providers.
