By Dr. Navleen Arora, ND
Dr. Navleen Arora is a Naturopathic Doctor with a practice focus in women’s and hormonal health. She supports patients with concerns related to PCOS, Thyroid Health, Perimenopause and Menopause. She uses evidence-informed recommendations to support her patients which include diet and lifestyle counselling, nutritional supplements, acupuncture, and menopausal hormone therapy, when appropriate.
Hormones and Your Body
Think of hormones as your body’s internal messaging system. They help regulate things like energy, mood, metabolism, sleep, and bone health.
During perimenopause and menopause, hormone levels naturally shift. For many people, these changes can lead to symptoms that affect day-to-day life—things like hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disruptions, mood changes, vaginal dryness, and brain fog.
What Is Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), also known as menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), involves using hormones—most commonly estrogen and, when appropriate, progesterone—to help relieve symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause.
Hormone therapy may be recommended for a variety of reasons, including:
- Managing perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms: Helping reduce hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, mood changes, and vaginal dryness.
- Supporting those experiencing early menopause: Providing treatment options for individuals with premature menopause or primary ovarian insufficiency.
According to clinical guidelines from the Endocrine Society and other leading medical organizations, hormone therapy is the most effective treatment for moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause, such as hot flashes and night sweats. For many healthy individuals who are younger than 60 years old or within 10 years of menopause onset, the benefits of hormone therapy often outweigh the potential risks when treatment is individualized and appropriately monitored.
Menopausal Hormone Therapy vs. Bioidentical Hormone Therapy
If you’ve started looking into hormone therapy, you’ve likely come across the term “bioidentical hormones.” The terminology can be confusing, so here’s a simple breakdown.
Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT)
MHT is the standard, evidence-based approach to treating menopause symptoms. It typically includes estrogen alone or a combination of estrogen and progesterone, depending on whether someone has a uterus and their medical history.
These treatments come in different forms such as patches, gels, and vaginal therapies. They are regulated, well-studied, and prescribed in standardized doses that can be adjusted based on individual needs.
Bioidentical Hormone Therapy (BHRT)
“Bioidentical” simply means the hormone has the same chemical structure as the hormones naturally made in the body.
It’s important to know that many standard, approved hormone therapies—like estradiol and micronized progesterone—are already bioidentical.
The term BHRT is also sometimes used to describe compounded hormone preparations made by specialty pharmacies. These are not routinely recommended because they are not held to the same regulatory standards for consistency, safety, and effectiveness as approved medications.
In select situations, compounded hormones may be considered—for example, if someone cannot tolerate commercially available options or requires a formulation that isn’t otherwise available.
A Common Misconception
Many people assume “bioidentical hormones” and standard menopausal hormone therapy are completely different approaches. In reality, they often overlap. Many commonly prescribed, evidence-based hormone therapies already use bioidentical ingredients, combining physiologic compatibility with strong safety and quality standards.
A Naturopathic Approach to Hormone Health
Hormone therapy can be a helpful option for managing menopause symptoms, but it’s only one part of the bigger picture.
A naturopathic approach looks at the full context of your health—things like sleep, stress, nutrition, movement, and overall lifestyle. The goal is to support your symptoms in a way that fits your individual needs and health history.
Care plans are based on a thorough clinical assessment, symptom picture, and when appropriate, targeted laboratory testing.
The Importance of Ongoing Care and Follow-Ups
Menopause care isn’t something that stays exactly the same over time. Your symptoms, needs, and treatment goals may shift, especially in the first few months of starting or adjusting therapy.
Consistent with recommendations from The Menopause Society, regular follow-up and periodic reassessment are important components of hormone therapy. These visits are a chance to check in on how you’re feeling, re-assess benefits and potential risks, review any side effects, and make adjustments if needed so your care continues to work well for you.
Is Hormone Therapy right for you?
Hormone therapy can be an effective option for managing menopause symptoms and improving quality of life during this transition. When care is individualized and regularly monitored, and supported with appropriate lifestyle strategies, treatment is tailored to help reduce symptoms while also supporting your overall long-term health.
If you are ready to explore your options and take control of your hormonal health, let’s start the conversation.
