What you are being prescribed
Either an FDA-approved product, or a compounded preparation made for you by a licensed 503A compounding pharmacy on your physician’s prescription. Compounded drugs are not FDA-approved and have not been evaluated by FDA for safety or effectiveness. Where an approved product fits your situation, it is usually the better answer, and your physician will tell you which you are receiving and why.
Benefits and risks of hormone therapy
Menopausal hormone therapy is the most effective treatment available for vasomotor symptoms, treats genitourinary syndrome of menopause, and preserves bone density while taken. Risks include venous thromboembolism — higher with oral than transdermal routes — and, with combined oestrogen-progestogen therapy, a small increase in breast cancer risk that grows with duration of use. If you have a uterus you require a progestogen alongside oestrogen to protect the endometrium.
Pregnancy, conception and contraception
Most hormone and peptide therapy is contraindicated in pregnancy, while breastfeeding and while trying to conceive. Menopausal hormone therapy is not a contraceptive. Some treatments, including weight-loss medication, can restore ovulation in someone who was not ovulating. You agree to tell your physician about any change in this, promptly.
Monitoring is part of the treatment
You agree to complete the retesting your protocol calls for. Declining monitoring is a reason a physician may stop prescribing, because unmonitored hormone therapy is where the real harm happens. Report promptly: unexplained or post-menopausal vaginal bleeding, breast lumps, calf pain or swelling, chest pain, breathlessness, severe headache, or one-sided weakness or visual change.
Your right to stop
You may stop at any time and should tell your physician when you do, because some therapies are tapered rather than stopped abruptly.
AZZA Medical is not a medical provider and does not practice medicine. Medical services are provided exclusively by independently licensed physicians of our partner physician network and their affiliated professional entities.
Compounded drugs are not FDA-approved and have not been evaluated by FDA for safety or effectiveness.
This is not emergency care. AZZA Medical does not provide urgent or emergency medical services. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
Questions about this document: hello@azzamedical.com