With an increase in the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), medical experts want to educate the public on this form of treatment.  There are a variety of risks and side effects, and the timing with which HRT is used is important.  Regular consultations with doctors, along with taking the precise amounts in each dosage, will ensure the treatment is effective in improving the patient’s health. 

How exactly is HRT administered?  Kate Cervi, a nurse practitioner at Springfield Clinic Taylorville, says it is usually taken topically but may instead come in capsule form.

Brenda Hemann is another nurse practitioner at Springfield Clinic Taylorville.  She says irregular bleeding – albeit only temporary – is a notable side effect of HRT.

As for how long the treatment takes, there is no explicit time limit.  For this reason, experts recommend that patients see their doctor every three to six months while on HRT. 

There is a common misconception that HRT can help with weight loss.  While such patients generally do not lose weight through the treatment, it can help manage body fat distribution. 

For those looking for effective alternatives to hormone replacement therapy, supplements, antidepressants and other FDA-approved drugs may help alleviate unwanted symptoms.

More information on Springfield Clinic is available at www.springfieldclinic.com.

Kate Cervi and Brenda Hemann appeared as guests on the WTIM Morning Show.