Hormone therapy may be appropriate for certain diagnosed conditions or symptoms. A consultation should consider medical history, medications, symptoms and testing when indicated. Symptoms alone do not establish a hormone deficiency.
Bioidentical describes a chemical structure, not a guarantee of safety or superiority. Some FDA-approved hormone products are bioidentical. Compounded hormone preparations are not FDA-approved, and FDA has not established that they are safer or more effective than approved products.
Hormone therapy should not be promoted as preventing Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease or stroke, reversing aging or reliably producing weight loss. Benefits and risks depend on the indication, product, route, dose and individual history.
Possible risks can include blood clots, cardiovascular events and certain cancers, depending on the treatment and person. Testosterone can affect fertility and blood counts, among other risks. Not every option is appropriate for every patient.
Pellets require an insertion procedure and cannot be adjusted as readily as some other formulations. Discuss available approved and nonhormonal alternatives, monitoring, side effects and when treatment should be reconsidered. No treatment is risk-free.
Prescription treatment requires an evaluation and a valid prescription from an appropriately licensed clinician. Do not start, stop or change a dose based on an article. Seek medical assessment for new or persistent symptoms.