Ask the Experts

By: Red Hot Mamas

Published: June 18, 2014

Our experts Dr. Mache Seibel, Karen Giblin, Dr. Michael Goodman, Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, Dr. Verna Brooks-McKenzie and Liz Allen field questions from our members. Submit your question.

Dear Red Hot Mamas,

How do doctors determine how much hormone therapy to prescribe? One doctor told me to take it daily, when I got a second opinion, a different doctor told me to take it every two weeks! I’m confused and not sure what to do. Is there a standard doctors use for prescribing?

Thank you,

L

Dear L,

There are many ways to give medications and hormones are no exception. The most common way has been to take estrogen every day and progesterone for 10 to 14 days. This is similar to how the body produces hormones in reproductive aged women. We also know that if estrogen is given for at least 10 days of the month, the estrogen will not cause uterine cancer, something it can do if only estrogen is given and the woman still has her uterus.

More recently, estrogen is given with progesterone every day, usually at half the dose used in the 10 to 14 day protocol. This reduces the number of periods a woman has. Many women prefer this regimen. Both approaches should help with many of the symptoms that lead women to use hormones.

Good Health to You!

Dr. Mache Seibel