Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

See also:  Seeking an ObGyn for Menopause ... More Advice about Menopause

5 parent questions ▼
Archived Q&A and reviews ▼

Parent Q&A

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  • Kaiser Gyn Open to Bioidentical Hormone prescription for HRT

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    May 9, 2022

    Hi!

    I am looking to change my Ob/Gyn and I am hoping to find someone open to exploring the use of bio-identical hormones for hormone replacement post menopause. My current Ob is very dismissive of my requests and I would like to explore the options with someone more open to discussion around use of bio-identical hormones. Has anyone found a Kaiser Gyn who fits this? Preference is Oakland or Berkeley location but willing to go to Richmond for the right person.

    Thanks!

    May 9, 2022

    Dr. Nicosia at kaiser alameda has helped me with HRT stuff immensely. It was trial and error, but she finally prescribed the bio identical stuff and it has been working really well. She knows her stuff and is willing to keep tweaking the details until there’s a positive change— 

    May 12, 2022

  • Pro HRT Doctor

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    Jul 30, 2021

    I've been reading/listening to Dr. Louise Newson and am seeking a local doctor who is well versed in and pro HRT (hormone replacement therapy) to treat some perimenopausal issues. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated!

    Jul 30, 2021

    I had no problem getting HRT at the Ob/Gyn unit @ Kaiser Richmond. In my case, no family history of issues for which HRT might be problematic, and I'm in my late 40s, excellent current health. I just explained my symptoms and told the doctor that I though HRT would be a good option. She agreed, and I got the prescription.

    Aug 2, 2021

  • Seeking MD for Menopause/HRT (non-Kaiser)

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    Jan 4, 2020

    Hi,

    I am a 51 year old woman going through perimenopause. I am noticing some cognitive decline, and want to talk to a dr about doing HRT. I have Blue Shield PPO. Would prefer East Bay or SF location. Thanks!

    Caroline

    Jan 4, 2020

    I'm in the same boat, and have been told that I have a couple complicating factors that really require someone who specializes in this area vs. a general Ob/gyn.  The only referral I've received in the Easy Bay is Risa Kagan, but when I called to make an appointment I was told by her staff that she's not accepting new patients and phasing out her practice due to impending retirement.  Thank you for posting and hopefully someone has suggestions.

    Jan 8, 2020

    Pacific Women Ob/Gyn Group in SF.

    Jan 13, 2020

  • Any experience with HRT for trans teen?

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    Aug 21, 2019

    My nonbinary trans teen is going to start HRT soon. Any experience with this? Tell me your stories. Mood swings? other issues?

    Aug 21, 2019

    My teen has been on HRT for perhaps two years. I don't think the moods are any different for him than if he was experiencing the other hormone his body would have produced naturally. Best of luck.

    Aug 26, 2019

     I provide gender affirming hormone therapy for teens, and most teens are very satisfied with it.  I haven’t had to take anyone off or even lower their dose because of mood issues.   Thank you for supporting your kid! 

    Sep 2, 2019

    My born female child went on HRT (testosterone) at 15/16 and did experience mood swings but I'm not sure if that was actually related to the HRT or not. 

    I'm responding to tell you that he/she decided to stop the HRT around 8 months ago after around 2 years of taking it.

    He/she has recently expressed a desire to be a girl again. (with absolutely no pushing from parents)

    At 17 he wanted top surgery and I considered it because of all the persuasions of many people including doctors, psychiatrists and therapists.  Thank God that my insurance would not cover it until he was 18.  And thank God he never ended up pushing for it when he turned 18.

    Please be aware that kids change their minds.

    Sep 2, 2019

  • Health practitioner familiar with Hormone Replacement Therapy

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    Jan 16, 2018

    Hi, I wish to go on HRT and would like to see a practitioner ( preferably in the East Bay) who is well informed about this therapy. I have a Blue Shield PPO coverage. If you like your practitioner , please share their contact info. Also, if possible, tell me about how the therapy has helped you with your menopausal symptoms. I am aware of the controversy surrounding the possible side effects of the therapy ( increased risk of stroke, heart attack, ...), and am also well read regarding the newer research that has found for recently menopausal women the therapy can be helpful and without bad side effects. Therefore, I hope to get answers about who to see and your own personal experience (before and after the therapy). Thank you.

    Jan 16, 2018

    I took HRT for several years and I don't think you will have any trouble finding an Ob/Gyn who can support you in this. My experience with several local Ob/Gyn practices is they do keep up to date with the research. Just pick a practice you like. I got my original prescription at one of the big practices in Berkeley. Sorry I don't remember which doc, but she was very well versed and explained that the research findings were based on POST-menopausal women who were looking to HRT as a way to protect heart health. At the time, that was a trend. The study with the scary results was not about perimenopausal women like me trying to get through a few years of hot flashes.  My doc told me the risk was small, even though I have high blood pressure (controlled by meds). I went on HRT because my symptoms were interfering with my job. I would be sitting in a meeting (with a bunch of men bc I work in a male-dominated industry) and suddenly I'd be on fire, gasping for air, pulling off my jacket, my face bright red, sweat breaking out, etc. It was awful.  Sometimes my male boss would ask me "Everything OK?" which was embarrassing, since I really didn't want to discuss it with him, but I'm sure he must have been alarmed. I also stopped sleeping well at night because of all the hot flashes. The HRT totally removed these horrible events. It really was a miracle. I stayed on HRT for 4 years or so, during which time I switched to Kaiser, where I also found my ObGyn there to be very supportive and reassuring. Ask your doctor! 

    Jan 23, 2018

Archived Q&A and Reviews

Questions

    BHRT Specialist for Menopause, MD or PAC

    May 2011

    My 60-ish mother recently relocated to the Bay Area from the Denver suburbs where she was seeing a nurse practitioner regarding managing menopause with bio identical hormone therapy. Since moving, she just hasn't been able to find a provider who is knowledgeable and supportive of BHRT. Any recommendations, preferably for a female practitioner in the Alameda/Oakland/Berkeley area, would be much appreciated. Hormonal in Alameda

    I would contact the Gottfried Center for Integrative Medicine in Oakland. Sarah Gottfried specializes in menopause. She has completely turned my life around. Good luck. Grateful

    Gyn who specializes in bioidentical hormones?

    Jan 2011

    My gyn basically dismissed my request for bioidentical hormones, saying the difference was like buying a designer dress or one off the rack; they are both the same at the end of the day. I disagree, and I'd like to find a more sympathetic doctor who is knowledgeable on the subject. Does anyone have a recommendation for a good gyn, preferably one who takes Blue Cross HMO and is an expert on working with you during perimenopause to find a good hormonal solution? Tired of the hot flashing

    Dr. Sara Gottfried in Oakland. She is excellent and knows ALL about bioidentical hormones, perimenopause and menopause. Not sure about insurance as I pay out of pocket, but it is COMPLETELY worth it. (I had chronic insomnia, sweats, awful mood swings and heart palpitations. Kaiser's answer for me was birth control pills.) May take awhile to get an apointment so call soon. ~~ Balanced

    I highly recommend Dr. Sondra Altman in Walnut Creek, aka the Menopause Maven. She is an incredibly skilled and kind gynecologist who specializes in menopause and perimenopause. I found that many doctors who advertise that they prescribe bioidentical hormones or do ''antiaging'' medicine charge a fortune, and there are many excellent types of bioidentical hormone therapy that are FDA approved. Dr. Altman is very reasonable (in fees and attitude) and will really listen to you and work with you to find the best solution. We had to try a few different types of hormone therapy to find the best type for me, but I'm so glad I found her and I feel so much better. Got my mojo back