# Hormone replacement therapy

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hormone-replacement-therapy/835901>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [June 22, 2019, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hormone-replacement-therapy/835901 "2019-06-22T19:10:52Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\
**Post date:** [June 22, 2019, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hormone-replacement-therapy/835901/1 "2019-06-22T19:10:52Z")

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I went through menopause about 8 years ago. I used hormone replacement pills (prempro) for about a year, then I stopped for a few years, then I took it last year. I recently turned 60 and they say its more risky then. Is it really bad to stop and then start taking it again? What are the health risks? What about bioidentical hormones?  
Thanks in advance.

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**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\
**Post date:** [June 22, 2019, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hormone-replacement-therapy/835901/2 "2019-06-22T20:10:49Z")

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The real answer here is “talk to a doctor” because individuals vary so much it’s impossible to evaluate the risk vs. reward over the internet.

That said - “bioidentical hormones” are just that: hormones. They have the same risks, benefits, and effects and regular old-fashioned hormones. Except that generally they’re more expensive.

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**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\
**Post date:** [June 22, 2019, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hormone-replacement-therapy/835901/3 "2019-06-22T21:19:32Z")

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You need to discuss this with your gynecologist.

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**Author:** ![Ronald\_Raygun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c67d28/32.png) [@Ronald\_Raygun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ronald_Raygun)\
**Post date:** [June 22, 2019, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hormone-replacement-therapy/835901/4 "2019-06-22T23:10:48Z")

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I can speak from the experience of a trans woman who is on a similar regimen. However, I am not a doctor, and so I’d recommend speaking with a gynecologist or an endocrinologist.

Prempro is a mix of conjugated estrogens and medroxyprogesterone acetate. Both of these have fallen, or are rapidly falling, out of favor for feminizing hormone therapy for us. Oral conjugated estrogens (Premarin) appear to have a much higher risk of cardiovascular problems compared to estradiol valerate injections. Medroxyprogesterone acetate (Depo-Provera) is controversial for reasons that I don’t fully understand, but my endocrinologist refuses to prescribe it, instead always offering bio-identical micronized progesterone. Again, talk about this with your doctor.

Cost, I pay $50/mo for my progesterone and about $25/mo for my estradiol. No insurance.