HRT for Perimenopause: Is It Right for You?

Have you been staring at the ceiling at 3 AM, wondering why you’re wide awake again—despite being completely exhausted? Or maybe you’re snapping at people you love, feeling like a stranger in your own skin. If so, you’re not alone—and no, you’re not going crazy. You may be in perimenopause.

Perimenopause is the wild ride that can start up to 10 years before menopause officially begins. It’s when your hormones, especially estrogen and progesterone, begin fluctuating unpredictably. This hormonal seesaw can cause symptoms like mood swings, weight gain, brain fog, anxiety, night sweats, and more.1

If you’re nodding along, wondering when you’ll feel like yourself again, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) might be a game-changer.

What Is HRT—and Why Should You Consider It?

HRT involves supplementing your body with hormones—often bioidentical estrogen and progesterone—to restore balance. It’s not about “reversing aging” but rather about reclaiming your vitality and improving your quality of life.

For many women, HRT can:

• Improve sleep and reduce night sweats and hot flashes
• Stabilize mood and reduce anxiety and depression
• Support memory, cognition, and focus
• Prevent bone loss and reduce fracture risk
• Improve libido and reduce vaginal dryness
• Normalize metabolism, supporting healthy weight and insulin sensitivity

“But I Heard HRT Is Dangerous…”

This is one of the most common myths—and it’s outdated. Early studies (like the Women’s Health Initiative) used synthetic hormones in older women well past menopause. Modern research, especially on bioidentical hormones and transdermal estrogen, shows that HRT can be safe and effective when started before age 60 or within 10 years of menopause. 2,3 It is even safe after the age of 65! 4 Even the North American Menopause Society as well as 20 other organizations agree that the benefits outweigh the risks. 5

In fact, bioidentical hormones like micronized progesterone and transdermal estradiol are associated with fewer risks—especially when customized and monitored by a knowledgeable practitioner. In most cases during perimenopause you may only need progesterone. Avoid synthetic progestins. 

How Do You Know If HRT Is Right for You?

If you’re experiencing:

• Sleep disturbances
• Mood changes or anxiety
• Brain fog or memory issues
• Weight gain (especially around your middle)
• Loss of libido or painful sex
• Irregular or heavy periods
• Fatigue that just won’t lift

…you might be a good candidate for HRT. But it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. The right dose, delivery method, and hormone balance must be personalized—and so should your overall care plan.

The Functional Medicine Difference

At Vibrance for Life, we don’t just prescribe hormones and send you on your way. We take a root-cause approach. That means we assess your hormone levels, how your body processes them, your gut health, nutrition, lifestyle, and even environmental toxins that could be messing with your balance.

Your hormones control you, but you can control your hormones—with the right knowledge and support.

Your Next Step: Clarity, Not Commitment

If you’re wondering whether HRT is right for you, I invite you to take the first step toward feeling like yourself again.

👉 Apply for a no-obligation clarity call to see if we are a good fit: 

You deserve to feel vibrant, focused, and at peace in your own body—no matter your age. Let’s talk about what’s really going on, and how you can take control.

References:

1. Santoro N. Perimenopause: From Research to Practice. J Womens Health. 2016;25(4):332-339. doi:10.1089/jwh.2015.5556
2. Stute P, Wildt L, Neulen J. The impact of micronized progesterone on breast cancer risk: a systematic review. Climacteric J Int Menopause Soc. 2018;21(2):111-122. doi:10.1080/13697137.2017.1421925
3. Hipolito Rodrigues MA, Gompel A. Micronized progesterone, progestins, and menopause hormone therapy. Women Health. 2021;61(1):3-14. doi:10.1080/03630242.2020.1824956
4. Baik SH, Baye F, McDonald CJ. Use of menopausal hormone therapy beyond age 65 years and its effects on women’s health outcomes by types, routes, and doses. Menopause N Y N. Published online April 9, 2024. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000002335
5. “The 2022 Hormone Therapy Position  Statement of The North American Menopause Society” Advisory  Panel. The 2022 hormone therapy position statement of The North American Menopause Society. Menopause N Y N. 2022;29(7):767-794. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000002028