You Deserve to Feel Like Yourself Again

Hormone pellets carry significant risks because the hormone dose cannot be adjusted after insertion. This is why Menopause Certified Providers — including Dr. Redmond — do not recommend pellets and prefer adjustable alternatives.

• Dose cannot be changed once inserted — the pellet lasts 3 months and cannot be removed

• Risk of permanent side effects including voice changes, chronic clitoral and vaginal pain, and clitoral enlargement

• Hormone levels can spike unpredictably, causing a surge-and-crash effect

Safer alternatives such as patches, creams, and pills allow for individualized dosing and ongoing monitoring.

In most cases, yes — if you use FDA-approved bioidentical hormones, insurance typically covers the cost, with average monthly costs ranging from $35-$80.

• Testosterone therapy for women is not FDA-approved and not covered by insurance — however, coupons are available making it approximately $14-$40 per month out of pocket

• Custom-compounded HRT is not covered by insurance and typically costs around $150/month

Pellet therapy is not offered at our practice due to unpredictable hormone fluctuations. Our goal is long-term stability so you feel energized and balanced every day.

Hormone therapy can use either synthetic or bio-identical hormones, and they differ in how closely they match your body's natural hormones.

• Synthetic hormones: Lab-made, similar but not identical to your own; may cause more side effects

• Bio-identical hormones: Lab-made but chemically identical to what your body produces; generally safer, better tolerated, and customizable

Bio-identical hormones are typically the preferred option because they more closely mimic your body's natural hormone structure.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a medical treatment that replaces hormones your body no longer produces at sufficient levels — most commonly estrogen and progesterone. HRT can help manage symptoms of perimenopause and menopause such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, decreased libido, weight changes, and vaginal dryness.

HRT is available in multiple delivery forms including pills and troches, patches, topical gels and creams, and injectable therapies — allowing for personalized treatment based on your individual symptoms, health history, and goals.

Hormone replacement therapy can be exceedingly safe for many women. Individual factors such as personal and family medical history play a critical role in determining safety. The route and type of HRT is determined by your specific needs and risk factors. Care directed by a provider with Menopause Society Certification ensures evidence-based therapies and patient safety. Regular follow-ups help ensure continued effectiveness and allow for any necessary adjustments.

While HRT can be highly effective, it may carry some risks depending on the type, route, dose, duration, and individual health factors.

• Blood clots or stroke: Risk varies based on whether hormones are synthetic vs. bio-identical and oral vs. topical delivery

• Heart disease: Timing of therapy initiation affects risk — early HRT may actually offer cardiovascular protection

• Cancer risk: Combined estrogen-progestin therapy can increase breast cancer risk by approximately 0.0006%; estrogen alone is exceedingly safe

Discussing your complete medical history with a certified menopause provider is the best way to balance benefits and risks.

Certain types of HRT — particularly combined synthetic estrogen and progestin therapy — may slightly increase the risk of breast cancer by approximately 0.0006% when used long-term. Bio-identical combined estrogen and progesterone therapy carries a lower cancer risk.

Importantly, HRT decreases the risk of several other cancers including colorectal cancer, liver cancer, and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Regular screening helps maintain safety while on therapy.

HRT is always an option for every woman, regardless of history — but treatment is individualized for women with a history of breast cancer. Understanding your individual risk of recurrence is key, and collaboration between a Menopause Certified Specialist and your Oncologist ensures safety.

Important: Vaginal estrogen is safe for women with a history of breast cancer. It does not raise blood estrogen levels and will not increase your risk of recurrence. Every woman is entitled to living a full, symptom-free life.