Dr. John Sherman has been studying hormone replacement since 1995, when he started residency, and focusing on it more fully for the last decade. In that time, he said he’s seen it fluctuate in popularity with more women seeking out information on the treatment recently.
“Fast-forward to where we are today, I think there’s a revolution, if you want to call it, in hormone replacement,” said Sherman, a doctor with the practice Georgetown OB-GYN.
A closer look
Hormone replacement is often used to treat the wide-ranging symptoms of perimenopause, which women can experience starting in their mid-to-late 30s, and menopause, which typically occurs around age 48-52, Sherman said. Both of these periods are marked by hormonal shifts, and can lead to:
- Brain fog
- Sleep disturbances
- Hot flashes
- Fatigue
- Low sex drive
Sherman said by testing a woman’s hormone levels, they are able to tailor hormone replacement treatment to the patient.
“Estrogen and progesterone in women who have a uterus ... really take care of the lion's share of systems of menopause,” Sherman said.
Additionally, Sherman said the poor rollout and publicity of study in the early 2000s scared doctors and patients alike, and turned them away from hormone replacement. That study, called the Women’s Health Initiative, showed a potential increase in the risk of breast cancer in patients receiving hormone replacement. However, he said modern critics challenge these findings.
Today, he said doctors are more selective about the hormones they use to try to decrease risks.
“We can never tell somebody that it doesn’t increase your risk [for breast cancer], but I think by being selective we can mitigate that,” he said.
The takeaway
Sherman advised women as young as 35 to find a doctor who’s willing to do a full hormone panel.
That bloodwork will check estrogen and testosterone levels, thyroid function, blood count and certain vitamins. From there, Sherman sits down with his patients and reviews all of the data and presents possible treatment options, including the different delivery methods for hormone replacement.
“If we educate our patients, they make good choices,” he said.
Sherman also said hormone balance is just one part of the health equation, also citing diet and exercise as “everything affects everything.”
“My focus on hormone replacement, nutrition and exercise is the long game,” Sherman said. “How do I get my patients healthier through the next decade and the next decade.”
