Can you take hormone replacement every other day?
Taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) every other day, also known as alternate day dosing, is an option that some doctors may recommend for certain patients. There are a few key points to understand about alternate day HRT:
- Alternate day dosing can help mitigate side effects. For some people, taking HRT every day causes side effects like bloating, headaches, irritability, etc. Spreading out the doses allows the body to better process the influx of hormones and may reduce unpleasant symptoms.
- It may require adjusting the dose. If you switch from a daily HRT regimen to every other day, your doctor may adjust the actual dose on treatment days to account for the missed days. This helps maintain adequate hormone levels.
- Levels could fluctuate more. Hormone levels may vary more between higher levels on treatment days and lower levels on non-treatment days compared to a consistent daily dose. However, the highs and lows often balance out over time.
- It can be used for multiple HRT types. Alternate day dosing can apply to various HRT medications like estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, etc. However, this strategy is often better suited to longer-acting depot forms of treatment.
Who is alternate day HRT right for?
Every patient has unique needs and goals with HRT. However, some good candidates for every other day hormone replacement include:
- Those who cannot tolerate standard daily HRT due to side effects
- Patients who need more stable mood, energy levels, etc. throughout the month
- People starting hormone therapy for the first time
- Some nonbinary, genderfluid, and transgender patients seeking flexibility
Benefits of Customized HRT at Hormone Health Institute
- Access to specialty bioidentical hormones
- Personalized treatment plans
- Convenient alternate day dosing options
- Ongoing monitoring and dosage adjustments
Of course, the best HRT regimen depends on the patient's needs and bloodwork over time. Close provider supervision allows for calibrating the medications, timing, doses and overall plan to optimize results and minimize risks on an individual basis.
Things to consider with alternate day hormone therapy:
- Not all medications can be easily adapted to this type of inconsistent dosing
- It may not control menopausal symptoms as consistently as daily therapy
- Finding the right dose can take some trial and error
- Potentially more rapidly shifting moods/energy levels
- Need to precisely follow on/off day schedule
Overall, alternate day HRT offers flexibility that appeals to some people. When paired with expertise fine-tuning to the individual, it can effectively help relieve uncomfortable symptoms. As with any hormone therapy, being attuned to changes in the body and openly communicating with your provider makes achieving your goals more likely.
The knowledgeable physicians at Hormone Health Institute specialize in HRT featuring customizable approaches like alternate day dosing. With premium bioidentical hormones, state-of-the-art testing/monitoring, and a patient-first perspective, Hormone Health Institute helps you discover your best hormonal balance for health and wellbeing. Contact us today to learn more and get started!
