If you’re experiencing fatigue, mood swings, weight changes, low libido, or sleep issues, it could be more than just stress or aging — your hormones may be out of balance. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is a treatment designed to restore hormonal balance and help you feel like yourself again.
In this post, we’ll break down what HRT is, who it’s for, the benefits, and how a personalized, functional medicine approach can help determine if it’s right for you.
What Is Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) involves supplementing your body with hormones that are either no longer being produced in sufficient amounts or are out of balance. It’s most commonly used to ease symptoms of menopause, perimenopause, and low testosterone, but it can also support individuals with thyroid issues, adrenal dysfunction, and other hormonal imbalances.
There are different types of HRT:
- Estrogen therapy (often for women during menopause)
- Progesterone therapy (usually combined with estrogen if the uterus is present)
- Testosterone therapy (for both men and women with low levels)
- DHEA or pregnenolone (less common but used in functional medicine)
At MediThrive Personalized Wellness, we use bioidentical hormones, which are chemically identical to the hormones your body naturally produces, and generally better tolerated.
Who Might Benefit from HRT?
You may be a candidate for hormone replacement therapy if you’re experiencing:
- Hot flashes or night sweats
- Low energy or chronic fatigue
- Mood changes, anxiety, or depression
- Brain fog or poor concentration
- Low libido or sexual dysfunction
- Irregular periods or no periods
- Weight gain, especially around the midsection
- Sleep disturbances
- Vaginal dryness or painful intercourse (for women)
- Muscle loss or reduced performance (for men)
These symptoms are often the result of natural hormonal shifts due to aging, but they can also be triggered by stress, nutritional deficiencies, toxin exposure, or chronic illness.
The Functional Medicine Difference
In traditional medicine, HRT is often prescribed based on age or a single blood test. But at MediThrive Personalized Wellness, we take a different approach.
We use comprehensive hormone testing to get a full picture of your hormone health. We also assess how your lifestyle, diet, stress levels, sleep, and gut health are impacting your endocrine system.
Rather than simply replacing hormones, we focus on:
- Identifying the root cause of hormonal imbalance
- Supporting the body’s natural hormone production when possible
- Customizing HRT dosing and delivery (cream, pellet, patch, oral, etc.)
- Regularly monitoring your progress and adjusting as needed
Benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy
When tailored correctly, HRT can be life-changing. Patients often report:
- Improved mood and mental clarity
- Better sleep and energy levels
- Increased sex drive and sexual function
- Relief from hot flashes and night sweats
- Easier weight management
- Stronger bones and muscle tone
- Enhanced overall quality of life
Is HRT Right for You?
The answer depends on your symptoms, lab results, medical history, and goals. At MediThrive Personalized Wellness, our practitioners provide personalized hormone evaluations to help you understand your options and decide what’s best for your body.
Take the First Step Toward Hormonal Balance
If you’re wondering whether hormone replacement therapy is right for you, schedule a consultation with our knowledgeable functional medicine providers to see how we can help. Visit us at 19109 W. Catawba Avenue Suite 120 in Cornelius, NC, or call (980) 580-6070 for a consultation.
