Marla Ahlgrimm |Myths And Realities of HRT

Hormone replacement therapy has long been used to address hormonal imbalances, says Marla Ahlgrimm. However, there are many misconceptions about hormone replacement therapy. 

 

About HRT 

 

Before Marla Ahlgrimm dives into the facts, it’s important to know what HRT is and how it works. 

 

HRT, or hormone replacement therapy, is simply the process of medically replacing hormones that naturally decline as a woman ages out of her menstruation phase. The onset of PMS can result in hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and a laundry list of other unpleasant side effects, says Marla Ahlgrimm. HRT intervention can help a woman’s body maintain its health and wellness as she slips into menopause. 

 

Myths 

 

Much is still misunderstood by the general population about hormone replacement therapy. Here are a few things that Marla Ahlgrimm says are myths and insight into the realities. 

Myth: Hormone Replacement Therapy Increases Your Risk Of Heart Disease. 

 

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, this misconception stems from a 2002 Women’s Health Initiative study. However, the study was very narrow and only involved women over 60 who were prescribed a specific combination of progestin and estrogen. For this group alone, there was a small increase in the risk of heart disease. 

 

Marla Ahlgrimm explains that current research suggests that hormone replacement therapy may actually offer some heart protective benefits. These are especially pertinent to women who began HRT during perimenopause. 

 

Myth: HRT Causes Cancer 

 

The same study cited above also acknowledged concerns about the risk of breast cancer with certain HRT approaches. However, Marla Ahlgrimm says that studies in recent years suggest that this chance is minimal. And, in fact, standalone estrogen therapy may reduce the risk of some types of cancer. It’s crucial that women weigh the potential for risks and the potential benefits with their primary health care provider before making a decision. 

 

Myth: HRT Is Only Good For Relieving Menopause Symptoms. 

 

HRT is used to relieve menopause symptoms, but it can also help address other hormonal imbalances in younger women. Custom-compounded HRT can help young women with issues ranging from irregular periods to severe PMS or PMDD and even fertility issues. Men may also benefit from testosterone replacement therapy. 

 

Myth: All HRT Is The Same 

 

Marla Ahlgrimm spent her entire career helping women understand that HRT therapy was a highly customizable addition to overall wellness practices. Compounding pharmacies, like the ones Marla Ahlgrimm worked in through the 70s, 80s, 90s, and 2000s, work with women and their doctors to provide pills, creams, and gels with the exact bio-identical hormone profile needed to relieve each woman’s specific issues. 

 

Marla Ahlgrimm says that women who are beginning to experience the first twinges at the end of their reproductive years may look to HRT as a way to take control of their lives for the next 8 to 10 years. She recommends that all women considering hormone replacement therapy talk to their healthcare providers to come up with a solution that’s right for them.