What Most Women Don’t Know About Hormone Therapy (Until It’s Too Late)
Photo by Toa Heftiba
If you’re over 40 and suddenly dealing with hot flashes, irritability, brain fog, or weight gain—you're not imagining it. These are classic signs of perimenopause, a phase where your hormones start shifting long before your periods stop for good.
And yet… most women are completely unprepared.
Worse? Many are terrified of hormone therapy (HRT), thinking it’s dangerous or unnatural. But here’s the thing: much of what we think we know about HRT is based on outdated research, misunderstood terms, or flat-out myths.
Let’s clear that up.
💊 Not All Hormones Are Created Equal
There’s a crucial difference between bioidentical hormones and synthetic hormones, but most doctors don’t take the time to explain it.
Bioidentical hormones are designed to mimic the exact structure of the hormones your body naturally produces. That means they’re more likely to be well tolerated and metabolized in a familiar way.
Synthetic hormones, on the other hand, are altered versions that attempt to “act like” your body’s hormones—often with very different effects on your mood, metabolism, cardiovascular system, and more.
👉 Curious about the specific risks of synthetic hormones? I walk through real-world examples in this video.
✅ Are Bioidenticals FDA-Approved or Not?
One common myth is that bioidentical hormones have to be compounded by a special pharmacy.
Not true.
There are FDA-approved bioidentical options available—like estradiol patches and micronized progesterone. The benefit of these is that they’re standardized and often covered by insurance.
Compounded hormones, however, offer more flexibility in dosing and combinations. For women who are sensitive to standard options or need finer tuning, this can be a game-changer.
💡 But… is one better than the other?
That depends on your symptoms, health history, and how your body responds. I dive into the pros and cons of each in the full YouTube video.
🚫 The Hidden Risk No One Warned My Mom About
This is personal.
My own mother was placed on hormone therapy years ago—and it had an unexpected effect on her cholesterol. Fortunately, I had just started my Ob/Gyn training and caught something her doctor didn’t. It completely changed the way I approached hormone delivery methods for my patients and clients.
Want to hear the full story and what happened next?
📺 Watch the video here.
🌿 Not Ready for Hormones? Start Here.
If the idea of HRT still makes you nervous, that’s okay. Some women prefer to start with natural strategies to support hormone balance before considering therapy.
That’s exactly why I created my Hormone Balancing Starter Kit—a step-by-step guide that walks you through the food, lifestyle, and supplement strategies I use with private clients.
✨ Perfect for beginners who don’t know where to start, but know they need to start.
🛠️ Grab the kit here → https://drreneewellenstein.thrivecart.com/the-hormone-balancing-starter-kit/
📣 Final Thoughts
You don’t have to suffer through perimenopause.
You don’t have to stay confused about hormone therapy.
And you definitely don’t have to figure it out alone.
Want the full breakdown on bioidentical vs. synthetic hormones, delivery methods, and what’s really safe?
Watch the video now — it might just change how you approach your next doctor’s visit.