Thinking About Starting Hormone Replacement Therapy? Here’s What to Know First

If you haven't been feeling like yourself—maybe struggling with hot flashes, disrupted sleep, mood swings, or changes in your body—it’s natural to start wondering whether hormone replacement therapy (HRT) might be right for you.

Whether you’re entering perimenopause, navigating full menopause, or recovering from a hysterectomy, understanding the role of hormones and how therapy can help is an important step.

At SM PRIVÉ clinic in Quebec, we’re here to guide you through the process with personalized care, science-backed options, and a deep understanding of what you're going through.

Symptoms of Menopause and Hormonal Imbalance

Every woman experiences menopause differently. Depending on if you're in early menopause or a post-menopausal woman, symptoms might feel mild, while others can significantly impact your daily routine.

These changes are linked to fluctuations in estrogen, progesterone, and other sex hormones that influence everything from your mood to your metabolism. The most common menopausal symptoms include:

• Hot flashes and night sweats (known medically as vasomotor symptoms)
• Mood changes and anxiety
• Vaginal dryness
• Irregular periods or loss of periods
• Difficulty sleeping
• Weight gain
• Decreased libido
• Joint pain or stiffness

You might also experience fatigue, brain fog, or changes in your skin and hair. Hormonal changes can affect the immune system and may increase your risk of developing osteoporosis, heart disease, or other chronic conditions.

Recognizing these symptoms early allows you to seek medical attention, explore treatment options like hormone therapy, and take proactive steps toward protecting your long-term health and quality of life.

Hormones, Health, and Your Body

Hormones affect nearly every system in the human body. They regulate mood, metabolism, energy levels, bone strength, and more. When hormone levels decline, the effects can ripple through your entire body, causing imbalance and discomfort.

By restoring your hormone levels of estrogen and progesterone with the right treatment, many women report significant relief from pain and discomfort, improved sleep, and better emotional balance.

Replacing your natural hormones with HRT can also help protect against osteoporosis, and support your immune system as you age. Think of it as a way to support your whole health, not just manage symptoms.

How Hormone Replacement Can Help

Hormone replacement therapy is a medical treatment designed to supplement the hormones your body is no longer producing by your ovaries in sufficient amounts. For many women, this happens during perimenopause and menopause when estrogen and progesterone levels start to decline.

Hormonal therapy can also be helpful for women facing hormone imbalances due to medical conditions or surgical procedures like a hysterectomy.

At its core, the biggest benefits of hrt (hormone replacement therapy) is about restoring balance. When hormone levels drop, your body can respond with a range of symptoms—from anxiety and sleep problems to weight gain and vaginal dryness.

Postmenopausal women women in particular find that HRT relieves those symptoms and improves their quality of life through carefully administered doses of estrogen and progestin medication.

What to Expect From Hormone Therapy

Starting hormone replacement therapy begins with a thorough consultation and hormone testing. Your doctor will review your symptoms, discuss your goals, review the risks of hrt, and assess your hormone levels to create a personalized treatment plan.

This may include estrogen, progestin, or a combination of both depending on whether you’ve had a uterus or hysterectomy. If you're dealing with vaginal dryness alone, you might only need localized vaginal estrogen therapy.

HRT can be delivered in various forms, including estrogen pills, patches, gels, creams, and even injections. The dosage and administration depend on your unique needs and how your body responds to the treatment. With close monitoring, adjustments can be made to help you feel better over time.

Bioidentical Hormones: Health Effects You Should Know About

Bioidentical hormones are often seen as a gentler alternative to synthetic hormone products, particularly for those interested in functional medicine or more natural health solutions.

They’re made from plant sources and designed to mimic your body’s own hormones. While they offer many benefits, they’re not risk-free. You still need proper testing, regular follow-ups, and expert guidance.

That’s why it’s important to work with a clinic like ours, where doctors have specialized training in hormone therapy and understand how to tailor a plan that’s right for you. We monitor your progress, evaluate side effects, and fine-tune your prescription to get the best results with the least amount of risk.

Hormone Therapy Options: Bioidentical and Conventional

You may have heard of bioidentical hormone therapy, which uses hormones that are chemically identical to those your body produces. Many patients are drawn to this option because they perceive them to be more natural and with fewer adverse effects.

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can be customized to fit your hormone levels through compounding pharmacies, offering greater precision in your treatment plan.

At SM PRIVÉ, we also offer traditional replacement therapy, which uses standardized forms of estrogen and progestin whose health effects are widely studied and approved.

Both options have their place in your menopausal transition, depending on your symptoms, preferences, and medical history. Your doctor will walk you through the pros and cons of each during your appointment.

Benefits, Risks & Side Effects of Hormone Replacement

Like any medical treatment, hormone replacement therapy comes with both benefits and risks. On the benefits side, patients often experience:

• Relief from hot flashes and night sweats
• Increased energy and better sleep
• Improved mood and reduced anxiety
• Better skin elasticity and hair growth
• Protection against bone loss
• Increased libido and sexual comfort

As for the risks, HRT is not suitable for everyone. Some studies have linked long-term use to increased risks of breast cancer, uterine cancer, and blood clots—especially when using certain forms or high dosages. That’s why the treatment plan, hormone type, and length of therapy are so important. Your doctor will assess your personal risk factors and help you weigh the pros and cons, as well as offer alternative therapies.

Questions to Ask Before Starting Treatment

Before beginning hormone therapy, it’s important to ask the right questions. These might include:

• What are my hormone levels and which hormones are out of balance?
• What are my treatment options—bioidentical or conventional?
• What side effects should I watch for?
• How often will I need follow-up appointments and hormone testing?
• Are there dietary supplements or lifestyle changes that could support my treatment?
• How will HRT affect my risk of breast cancer or uterine cancer?

Having these conversations up front will give you confidence and clarity. It’s also a chance to discuss any concerns about migraine, metabolism, weight gain, or mood.

Your Personalized Treatment Plan at SM PRIVÉ

At our clinic in Montreal, we take a personalized approach to hormone therapy. No two patients are alike, which is why your treatment plan is based on your unique symptoms, medical history, and hormone levels. We use the latest hormone testing tools and draw on both conventional medicine and functional medicine to offer holistic, evidence-based care.

Your therapy may include tablets, patches, topical creams, or other options, and we’ll work with you to find the most comfortable and effective form. We also offer support for related issues like sleep, anxiety, pain, and quality of life through additional services and coaching.

A Safe and Supportive Space for Women’s Health in Quebec

Are you just starting to notice symptoms? Or have you been managing menopause for years? Our team is here to support you every step of the way. We understand the emotional and physical changes that come with hormone loss, and we’re committed to helping you feel like yourself again. Our services are designed for comfort, convenience, and above all—your health.