Why You Might Still Feel Terrible on HRT (And What No One's Telling You)

Woman's Health
Written By Renee Wellenstein

Photo by BĀBI

You finally decided to try hormone therapy—hoping for relief.
The hot flashes eased a bit… but you’re still tired, bloated, moody, and not yourself.

If that’s your reality, you’re not the only one.
Many women are shocked when HRT doesn’t work the way they expected—and even more frustrated when no one can tell them why.

You’re Not Alone (and You’re Not Doing Anything Wrong)

We often hear that hormone therapy is the “fix” for perimenopause and menopause symptoms. And for some women, it does help—but for others, it barely moves the needle.

Here’s what’s even more surprising:

  • Roughly 73% of women experiencing menopausal symptoms aren't receiving any treatment at all.

  • HRT use has dropped dramatically in the past 20 years—from about 27% of women in 1999 to less than 5% today.

Clearly, there’s confusion… and a lot of unmet need.

So what gives? Why aren’t more women finding relief?

It’s Not Just About Estrogen and Progesterone

When hormone therapy doesn’t work, most doctors either change the dose or suggest you “wait and see.” But what if the problem isn’t just the hormone itself?

There are underlying factors that can affect whether—or how well—HRT actually works.
We’re talking about things like your metabolism, detox capacity, and stress response (yep, your stress hormones matter too).

Here’s a sneak peek of what could be happening beneath the surface:

  • Your body may not be absorbing or metabolizing hormones effectively

  • Other hormones like thyroid, cortisol, or insulin may be throwing things off

  • Lifestyle factors could be working against your hormone therapy without you realizing it

Want the full breakdown? I cover all of this—and more—in my latest YouTube video:

Watch Now: HRT Isn’t Working? 4 Hidden Reasons You’re Still Struggling

What You Can Do Now

If you’ve tried HRT but you’re still stuck in a cycle of fatigue, mood swings, and weight gain, don’t give up—you just need a more holistic approach.

Start here:

Renee Wellenstein
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What Most Women Don’t Know About Hormone Therapy (Until It’s Too Late)