Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) has been a lifeline for countless women dealing with the disruptive and often debilitating effects of hormonal imbalances during menopause and perimenopause.

While its benefits are well-documented, many women have understandable concerns about the safety of hormone therapy and its potential risks.

In this blog, we speak with Dr Fiona, one of our expert hormone specialists, to hear more about our treatment process and how the Marion Gluck Clinic provides safe, effective, and highly personalised care to each of our patients.

Bioidentical Hormones to Treat Menopause

When it comes to hormone therapy there are many different types of treatment. Here at Marion Gluck we are the UK’s leading hormone clinic for bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), having pioneered this form of treatment as an alternative to traditional HRT.

The term bioidentical refers to hormones that are chemically identical to those produced by your own body. Unlike synthetic hormones found in HRT, bioidentical hormones perfectly mimic your body’s natural hormones. Many women report fewer side effects and better efficacy with these types of hormones.

However, despite its effectiveness, there are concerns about potential health risks associated with hormone therapy, particularly for women going through menopause.

“There is a tendency to treat persistent menopause symptoms with ever-increasing doses of estrogen, which is often ineffective and can lead to adverse risks,” explains our hormone expert, Dr Fiona.

Addressing the Risks

While estrogen is essential for managing menopausal symptoms, it must be properly balanced with progesterone to prevent health risks.  

“The most important factor in avoiding health risks is recognising the symptoms of low progesterone and treating them with progesterone rather than simply increasing estrogen levels. This is a frequent failing of conventional care and is a main difference in how we practise here at Marion Gluck,” says Dr Fiona.

But at The Marion Gluck Clinic we don’t limit treatment to just estrogen and progesterone. We use a full range of hormones, allowing us to better address the unique needs of each patient.

“Our treatments are more nuanced and specifically tailored, taking into account the whole patient”, says Dr Fiona.

A Bespoke Approach to Treatment

Whether it’s testosterone, DHEA, or other hormones that need attention, we consider the whole hormonal profile of each of our patients.

“We are not restricted to estrogen and progesterone. We are not even restricted to a single estrogen. In high-risk patients, we may combine estradiol with a weak estrogen. This means that we can often achieve effective symptom control at lower hormone doses,” explains Dr Fiona.

By using lower doses where possible and combining different types of hormones, our treatments minimise the risks of side effects and ensure that the process is as safe as possible.

When starting treatment, we begin with a comprehensive consultation followed by blood testing to get a full patient health profile that includes an accurate measurement of their current hormone levels.

This is to ensure that the BHRT prescribed is done so based on the patient’s specific needs, avoiding unnecessary or excessive doses of hormones.

Ongoing Monitoring

The key to safe and effective hormone treatment lies in ongoing monitoring and adjustment. That’s why we recommend annual blood panels and transvaginal ultrasounds for our patients as a minimum.

These tests help us monitor hormone levels and endometrial health, ensuring that the treatment continues to be safe and effective throughout a patient’s journey with us.

We may request additional blood tests for those starting or changing their medication.

For patients who experience abnormal uterine bleeding, more frequent ultrasounds will also be required. This additional monitoring allows us to catch any potential issues early and adjust treatment as necessary.

We also require that all our patients comply with the NHS screening programs for cervical smears and mammography, as these screenings are essential for catching potential health issues that could impact treatment.

Addressing the Root Cause

Beyond simply prescribing hormones, we take a holistic approach to treatment to understand why hormone imbalances have occurred in the first place.

Our practice in functional and lifestyle medicine allows us to address underlying factors such as nutrition, lifestyle, and other health conditions that may be affecting a person’s hormones. 

This means we can often reduce the severity of hormone imbalances without the need to prescribe high hormone doses.

“Combining hormone replacement therapy with targeted supplements or dietary and lifestyle modifications can support the body’s natural processes and alleviate menopause symptoms more effectively,” says Dr Fiona.

At the Marion Gluck Clinic, we are dedicated to providing safe and effective menopause relief through our personalised care and team of highly experienced hormone doctors.

So, if you are experiencing symptoms of menopause, then book an online consultation with one of our expert hormone doctors now and begin your journey to effective relief to feel like yourself again.