If you have a healthcare practitioner who is well versed in all aspects of hormone replacement, including the latest treatment options and most recent advancements in hormone level testing, you are very fortunate. However, because scientific data about hormones is emerging so rapidly, this is not always the case. Many doctors practice within the managed care system. With increased patient loads, tighter schedules, and more paperwork little time is left to review the scientific literature. Some physicians may not be as informed as they would like about current advances in hormonal medicine.
Many women have fears about hormones, both the side effects and long-term health risks.
Some women never even fill their prescriptions, perhaps because most women feel they do not have enough information about HRT to make this important decision even after a visit to their doctor. If osteoporosis, heart disease or colon cancer run in your family the benefits of hormone replacement can be substantial for you. Many physicians prescribe hormones by evaluating your symptoms, your age, your risk factors, and when you had your last period. Though important aspects of a comprehensive hormonal strategy, they do not constitute a complete evaluation. Hormone level testing is necessary for determining whether or not you need hormones and, if so, which ones.