Menopause Hormone Therapy

Menopause is a natural phase in a woman’s life that marks the end of her reproductive period. During menopause, the ovaries gradually cease to produce estrogen and progesterone, leading to hormonal changes and a range of physical and emotional symptoms that can pose challenges in daily life. Some women experience symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, sleep disturbances, and vaginal dryness during menopause. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is an effective treatment method that, by restoring hormones, can alleviate symptoms, increase libido, and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

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What is menopause?

Many women experience menopause between the ages of 45 and 55. Menopause typically begins a few years before the last menstruation, and early signs often include irregular and heavy periods. After a year without menstruation, menopause sets in.

Menopause is a physiological process that occurs because the ovaries stop maturing eggs and, consequently, cease the production of the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. After menopause, you may experience a range of symptoms due to the low estrogen levels.

Typical symptoms include hot flashes, vaginal dryness, weight gain, hair loss, joint and muscle pain, and mood swings. Additionally, menopause is associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis. Estrogen promotes the formation of new bone tissue, so when estrogen production decreases, it results in rapid weakening of the skeleton and an increased risk of osteoporosis, leading to bone fractures and vertebral collapse.

The extent and severity of symptoms vary from person to person. Most women can benefit from hormone replacement therapy as it helps alleviate symptoms, and reduces the risk of osteoporosis.

 

Types of Hormone Therapy

Hormone therapy is available in various forms, but all treatment modalities consist of substances that are either identical to or have the same effect as the body’s own hormones. This allows for the restoration of the body’s hormones through hormone therapy.

Local treatment is available in creams, suppositories, or an estrogen-containing ring. Local treatment acts only on the mucous membranes in the vagina. It is suitable for everyone except women undergoing breast cancer treatment.

General hormone therapy affects the entire body and is available in the form of tablets, gel, patches, and spray. This form of treatment also has a preventive effect against osteoporosis as long as the medication is taken.

If you haven’t had your uterus removed, your doctor will typically prescribe estrogen along with progesterone. If you’ve had your uterus removed, you may only need estrogen treatment. The purpose of estrogen treatment is to prevent osteoporosis and alleviate symptoms resulting from the lack of estrogen production. The purpose of progesterone treatment is to ensure that the lining of the uterus is regularly shed as a menstrual bleed or to prevent it from being stimulated at all.

It’s important to note that hormone therapy is not without risks. The decision to start or continue hormone therapy should always be made in collaboration with a specialist. Read more about potential risks in the “Frequently Asked Questions” section.

Treatment Options at Aetas

At Aetas, we offer counseling with a specialist doctor in connection with the initiation of hormone therapy. Our specialist evaluates based on your symptoms and lifestyle whether hormone therapy may be relevant for you. In some cases, it may be necessary to have blood tests done before starting. The price of these tests depends on which ones you need. The blood tests are not included in the initiation package and must be paid for separately.

During the first 12 months of treatment, multiple follow-up consultations may be necessary to monitor your dosage and the effectiveness of the treatment, ensuring you receive the optimal dosage.

Once you have started treatment successfully, you will be scheduled for an annual consultation with the doctor. An annual consultation costs 4,800 DKK and is a requirement to continue treatment at Aetas.

 

Starter Package includes

  • Initial consultation with our specialist doctor at our clinic in Hellerup, including physiological examinations such as EKG, blood pressure, and BMI (4,800 DKK)
  • Follow-up consultation after 2 months (2,200 DKK)
  • Price: 7,000 DKK
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  • Additional Options:
    • Blood tests: Price depends on the specific test
    • Consultation with specialist doctor (30 min.): 2,200 DKK
    • 30-minute follow-up consultation after 2 months (in-person or online): 2,200 DKK
    • Hormone panel before and after 3 months: 4,200 DKK
    • suPAR before and after 3 months: 1,400 DKK
    • DEXA Osteoporosis Scan: 3,200 DKK

How It Works

1. Initial Consultation

To initiate hormone therapy, you must first undergo an initial consultation with our specialist to determine your suitability for treatment. Each individual is unique, and there are various reasons why hormone therapy may not be suitable for everyone.

Before your initial consultation, we will send you a questionnaire focusing on your medical history and potential symptoms. Please complete this before your appointment. The doctor will refer to the questionnaire during the consultation.

Upon arrival at the clinic, your height, weight, electrocardiogram (EKG), and blood pressure will be measured. The doctor will then be ready to meet with you. Expect the initial consultation to last up to one hour.

After the initial consultation, the doctor will prescribe the medication if you are deemed suitable for treatment. You can collect your medication within a few days.

2. Medication

1. After your initial consultation and if the specialist deems you suitable for treatment, the doctor will prescribe the medication.

2. You will receive an email from us with the name and dosage of the medication.

3. You can monitor all your prescriptions in the Medicinkortet app. As soon as you can see the prescription for the agreed medication, you can pick it up at your nearest pharmacy within a few days.

4. Once you have picked up the medication, you can start the treatment.

3. Follow-up Consultation

After being in treatment for 2-3 months, you will be scheduled for a follow-up consultation. Before the consultation, you can consider whether the treatment has relieved any symptoms, if it has brought about a positive change in your quality of life, and if you have experienced any side effects. Additionally, you will receive a follow-up questionnaire to complete before the consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is hormone therapy dangerous?

Like many other medications, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is not entirely without risks. HRT is not recommended for women who have had blood clots or are undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

For women with a history of breast cancer, some forms of HRT have been associated with an increased risk of recurrent breast cancer. The elevated risk is most significant with systemic/general hormone therapy, affecting the entire body, as opposed to local treatment.

Risks associated with HRT vary for each individual and depend on factors such as the type of hormones, dosage, duration of treatment, administration method, initiation timing, and the need for progestogen. For women under 60 years without contraindications, the benefits usually outweigh the risks, especially when addressing bothersome hot flashes or for women with a higher-than-average risk of bone loss or fractures.

For women starting HRT more than 10 or 20 years after the onset of menopause, or when they are 60 years or older, the risk of HRT is greater than the benefits because HRT is associated with a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, blood clots, and dementia.(1)

It’s important to note that individual cases may vary, and decisions about HRT should always be made in consultation with a specialist who can assess your specific circumstances and medical history.

Are there any side effects of hormone therapy?

Side effects of HRT vary for each individual and depend on factors such as the type of hormones, dosage, duration of treatment, and administration method. Side effects often subside after a few weeks, but some may persist. In such cases, there are measures you can take to help manage them.

If you are undergoing treatment at Aetas, you can always contact us if you experience persistent or bothersome side effects.

Side effects of taking estrogen may include:

  • Headache
  • Breast pain or tenderness
  • Unexpected vaginal bleeding or spotting
  • Nausea
  • Mood changes, including sadness or depression
  • Leg cramps
  • Mild rash or itching
  • Diarrhea
  • Hair loss
What is the optimal dosage?

The dosage depends on individual factors, including whether your symptoms are relieved. With a follow-up consultation, the doctor can assess the effectiveness of the treatment and whether you are receiving the optimal dosage or if adjustments need to be made along the way.

Where can I pick up my medication?

You can collect your prescription medication from your nearest pharmacy. The medication must be paid for upon pickup. Please note that you cannot pick up the medication at Aetas.

Can I split my payment?

We aim to make it as convenient as possible for our customers, and therefore, we offer the option to split your payments. You can choose between monthly or quarterly installments.

We strive to accommodate your individual needs, ensuring that finances do not limit your commitment to your health. Reach out to us at contact@aetas.dk for more information and if you wish to avail yourself of this option.

How often should my prescription be renewed?

How often your prescription needs renewal depends on the medication and your agreement with the doctor. We ensure that your prescription is renewed so that you always have a new one available before running out. An annual consultation with the doctor is required to renew your prescription.

Can I lose weight with hormone therapy?

HRT does not always result in weight loss, and we do not prescribe it based on that indication.

Do you offer hormone therapy for men?

Men can also go through a phase similar to menopause, often referred to as andropause. However, it is not an exact mirror of women’s menopause, but some men may still experience physiological and hormonal changes due to a decline in testosterone. In such cases, hormone therapy can also be effective. Aetas offers testosterone therapy for men. Read more here.

Will I get a refund if I am not suitable for HRT?

You are required to pay for the startup package before your appointment. In rare cases where the doctor determines that you are not suitable for hormone therapy, you will be refunded 50% of the amount paid. Please note that you cannot get a refund if you choose to cancel your purchase after the startup consultation.

Who is the specialist doctor?

Aetas’ specialist doctor is Marie Foegh. She is a specialist in gynecology and has specialised in hormone therapy for many years. Marie Foegh has over 20 years of experience in the field, has published more than 150 clinical studies, and written over 40 medical chapters. Throughout her career, Marie Foegh has held numerous national and international professorships and has been a visiting professor. She served as an Associate Professor in the Division of Transplantation at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington D.C., USA, where she was responsible for organ transplantation and researched the effects of estrogen on the immune system.

At Aetas, we offer personalised guidance through the various phases of menopause, addressing hormone therapy, diet, exercise, sleep, supplements, and healthy habits.