HRT or Hormone Replacement Therapy has always scared me. It also was something that I really never learned about until I worked with older women and heard them complaining about it. Going through “the change” was something my mother talked about, but when I FINALLY had to deal with it myself, I wasn’t really ready or informed.
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HRT is a treatment that helps women with symptoms of menopause.
Hormone replacement therapy is medication that contains female hormones. You take the medication to replace the estrogen that your body stops making during menopause. Hormone therapy is most often used to treat common menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes and vaginal discomfort.
Hormone therapy has also been proved to prevent bone loss and reduce fracture in postmenopausal women. Mayo Clinic
As you transition to menopause, your ovaries stop making high levels of estrogen. This can cause uncomfortable symptoms like:
Hot flashes.
Night sweats.
Vaginal dryness and painful sexual intercourse.
Mood swings, depression or irritability.
Insomnia.
Leaking pee.
HRT replaces the hormones that your body isn’t making enough of. Cleveland Clinic
I personally dealt with everything listed above outside of the leaking pee and mind you–that list is not the only symptoms some women suffer with. There’s something called a “frozen shoulder” along with a host of issues that the loss of estrogen can cause like fatigue. I also suffered from a mild discharge that drove me crazy! Honestly, outside of the hot flashes, that was the worst symptom for me.
I initially started using Go With The Flow from HAPPY HEALTHY HIPPIE and it worked great when I first noticed the hot flashes a few years ago. I started out by using whenever the flashes started and when they left I would stop using them. I did that for 2 years before I needed to use them daily to keep them at bay. Last year I noticed that the hot flashes, irritability and discharge come on with a vengeance so I headed to my Black doctor and we discussed using HRT. I was also suffering from the most debilitating fatigue I have ever felt.
At first she suggested a Estrogen vaginal cream, but I hate vaginal creams with all the messiness and leaking so we opted for the patch. She started me off on the lowest dose and I saw immediate results. I discuss all of that in the video below. I was hesitate to even get on HRT but after reading up on how far it has come over the year and discussing with my Black woman doctor, I knew it was what I needed to do.
@seriouslynaturalsabrina #CapCut Week 1 of HRT and went out of town. Not a great combo but here we go! #hrt #hrtiktok #hrtweightgain #bloating #perimenopause #blackwomenoftiktok #womenshealth #over50women ♬ original sound – BrinaPerk
I created a series on TikTok discussing my journey on HRT. Week by week along with other videos discussing what I was dealing with Menopause and how I finally got on the Estrogen patch and how I was handling it. From weight gain, to dosages to symptoms coming and going–I discuss it all.
Getting on HRT has been a great decision in my life. It’s not perfect and actually, I am seeing the doc this week to increase my dose as she is closely monitoring me while on this medication. The fatigue comes and goes but is mostly gone (which is great!) and the other symptoms are subsiding as well. I am currently on 0.375% patch that is placed on my lower back as it’s the ideal place for me. You can also place it on your stomach.
At 54 and dealing with Menopause, I am so grateful for research on older women’s bodies to be available as well as other women discussing how it affects their lives. I am merely sharing my story along with what works, doesn’t work and making my life easier and happier. I am a happier woman on HRT and in America today—that’s saying something for a Black woman!
I hope this helps you as you navigate your menopausal journey and don’t forget to check out my HRT Chronicles over on TikTok for the week by week account.
Sabrina
