HRT: What It Is, Who It’s For, and What to Expect

By Dr. Lola Ashaye | InTouch Primary Care | Sugar Land, TX

If you’re going through perimenopause or menopause and wondering whether hormone therapy is right for you, you’re not alone—and you’re not without options.

Many women come to me feeling confused, overwhelmed, or even a little nervous about hormone therapy. Maybe they’ve heard conflicting advice. Maybe no one ever really explained what it is. Maybe they’ve just been told to “wait it out.”

As a primary care doctor, I see how menopause affects not just reproductive health, but sleep, mood, metabolism, heart, bones, and more. Many women suffer in silence—and because their symptoms can vary widely, women are often dismissed, misdiagnosed, or sent to multiple specialists—and may go years without real answers.

Let’s clear up the confusion—together.

At InTouch Primary Care, we are passionate about guiding women through this transition because when we connect the dots early, we can prevent long-term health issues and help you feel whole, vibrant, and understood. We believe you deserve real answers, not guesswork. That’s why we’re breaking down HRT: what it is, who it can help, and what to expect.

What Is Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Hormone therapy (HRT) is a treatment that replaces the hormones your body naturally decreases during menopause—mainly estrogen, progesterone, and sometimes testosterone.

Why does this matter?
Because those shifting hormones can lead to many symptoms including:

• Hot flashes and night sweats
• Brain fog
• Vaginal dryness or painful intimacy
• Recurrent UTIs, urinary urgency, incontinence
• Mood changes
• Sleep issues
• Joint pain, frozen shoulder, bone loss
• Heart palpitations
• That frustrating feeling of just not feeling like yourself
• And much more…

Hormone therapy can help bring things back into balance—not only relieving symptoms but also protecting long-term health, especially bone and heart health.

Who Is HRT For and What are the signs that you need HRT?

Hormone therapy is often a great option for many women in perimenopause or menopause. It can make a significant difference in quality of life for those dealing with:

• Hot flashes or night sweats
• Vaginal dryness or pain during sex
• Recurrent UTIs, urinary urgency, incontinence
• Mood shifts or poor sleep
• Bone loss or high risk for osteoporosis
• That overwhelming “midlife fog” or loss of energy and motivation

Even if you’re not experiencing obvious symptoms, menopause marks a shift that can quietly impact your long-term health.

What Is HRT Used For?

Let’s break it down:

• Estrogen Replacement Therapy: Estrogen is the key player—it helps with hot flashes, mood, sleep, vaginal symptoms, and bone health.
• Progesterone Replacement Therapy: Progesterone is added if you still have a uterus—it protects the uterine lining and can also improve sleep.
• Testosterone Replacement Therapy: Testosterone may be used (in very low doses) for libido and energy, especially if those have dipped dramatically.

HRT can be delivered in several forms: pills, patches, gels, sprays, vaginal rings, or creams. At InTouch, we help you choose the method that fits your lifestyle and preferences.

What to Expect—and Is HRT Safe?

We take a stepwise, monitored approach at InTouch Primary Care. Hormone therapy isn’t a “quick fix,” but with the right guidance, it can be transformational.

• Most women start to feel better within a few weeks, but full adjustment can take 3–6 months.
• HRT side effects—like breast tenderness, spotting, or mild bloating—are usually temporary and improve as your body adjusts. Some women may also notice mood changes, headaches, or skin irritation with patches. Most side effects can be managed by adjusting the dose or delivery method under expert guidance.
• HRT Risks—like blood clots or breast cancer—are often what women fear most. But it’s important to put those concerns in context. Today’s hormone therapy is not what it was decades ago. We now have safe, FDA-approved bio-identical hormone options, and when started at the right time and tailored properly, the benefits—like better sleep, mood, bone health, heart protection, and overall quality of life—often far outweigh the risks.
• HRT is not one-size-fits-all. It’s essential to have your individual risk profile reviewed by someone with advanced menopause training. When done thoughtfully, with the right dose, delivery method, and close monitoring, hormone therapy can be both safe and life-changing.

It’s also important to understand: there are risks to not addressing menopause.

Declining Hormones can impact:

• Your quality of life (short and long term)
• Bone strength
• Heart health
• Cognitive clarity and mood
• Vaginal and Bladder health

The key is personalized care—not one-size-fits-all.

Why Talk to us at InTouch Primary Care?

Because it makes 100% sense—especially if you’re in the Houston area.

As a board-certified family and lifestyle medicine physician with advanced training in menopause care, I don’t just look at your hormones—I look at how they’re affecting your sleep, mood, energy, weight, heart, bones, and even relationships.

Whether or not hormone therapy is part of your plan, we help you connect the dots and build a personalized, evidence-based approach that supports your long-term health.

Ready to Feel Like Yourself Again?

HRT isn’t about turning back the clock. It’s about helping you feel strong, clear, and comfortable in your body again.

Subscribe to our newsletter, share this with a friend, and if you’re ready for personalized care that sees you as a whole person, book your perimenopause or menopause consultation today. We’re here for you – every step of the way.

InTouch Primary Care | Sugar Land, Texas
Personalized care. Real answers. Whole-body wellness.