Hormone Therapy – Facts in Indian Context

HT replaces or supplements declining estrogen and progesterone to relieve hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and bone loss.

It can be systemic (oral, patch, injectable) or local (vaginal creams, rings).

Understanding the basics helps you weigh options effectively.

• • Benefits: reduces vasomotor symptoms by up to 90%, improves sleep and mood, preserves bone density.
• • Risks: small increased risk of breast cancer, venous thromboembolism, stroke—varies by therapy type and duration.
• • Balancing benefits and risks is key—use the benefitRiskChart to guide discussions.

Start at the lowest effective dose and titrate based on symptom control and side effects.

Common regimens: 0.625 mg oral conjugated estrogens daily or 50 mcg transdermal patch twice weekly.

Progesterone is added cyclically for women with a uterus to prevent endometrial hyperplasia.

• • Initial evaluation: baseline mammogram, lipid profile, liver and kidney function.
• • Follow‑up at 3 months: assess symptom relief, side effects, blood pressure.
• • Annual review: mammography, bone density scan, cardiovascular risk assessment—see monitoringScheduleGraphic.

Combine HT with weight‑bearing exercise, calcium‑rich diet and vitamin D supplementation to optimize bone health.

Manage stress through yoga, meditation and adequate sleep to support hormonal balance.

Refer to lifestyleIntegrationGraphic for daily self‑care routines.

• • Generic oral HT costs range ₹150–300/month; transdermal patches ₹800–1,200/month.
• • Public health schemes (Ayushman Bharat) and private insurance may cover systemic HT under outpatient benefits.
• • Use costCoverageGraphic to compare brand and generic options.

Decision‑making often involves family elders; prepare to address common myths about HT causing infertility or “too much hormone.”

Use culturally sensitive language and the culturalConsiderationsGraphic to foster supportive dialogue.

Engage community health workers to bridge gaps in understanding.

• • Q: How long can I stay on HT? A: Generally up to 5 years, individualized based on risk profile.
• • Q: Does HT cause weight gain? A: No direct causation; lifestyle factors play a larger role.
• • Q: Can I stop HT abruptly? A: Taper dose to minimize symptom rebound.

Hormone therapy can be a safe and effective tool for managing menopausal symptoms when personalized to your health profile and cultural context. Informed discussions with your provider and supportive family engagement are essential.

• • Discuss your symptom priorities and risk factors with your doctor at your next visit.
• • Review and compare local HT formulations and costs using costCoverageGraphic.
• • Plan a monitoring schedule and book baseline investigations this month.