# Is Hormone Replacement Therapy Safe?
A wonderful patient and friend was in last week, and her daughter had a fantastic question: **is hormone replacement therapy safe?**
Below are the questions we get most often about bioidentical hormone therapy and hormone testing, answered directly.
## Is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy safe?
Yes. We use human duplicate hormones — also called bioidentical hormone therapy — which are structurally identical to what your body naturally produces. We test each patient to confirm the right dose for their age, rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach. Research has documented that properly monitored bioidentical hormone therapy is safe and effective.
## What does current research say about hormone therapy and long-term health?
A recent article in *Climacteric* made the case that low hormone levels — particularly from premature ovarian insufficiency and early menopause — shouldn’t just be treated as an early version of normal menopause. Researchers argue these should be recognized as their own chronic endocrine condition, and as an early warning sign of accelerated aging in women. Their conclusion: hormone therapy shouldn’t just be about symptom relief. It should be viewed as a way to prevent long-term disability.
In plain terms: low hormone levels don’t just make you feel bad now — over time, they’re linked to a shorter lifespan and a higher risk of chronic illness.
*(Source: [Climacteric, 2026](https://doi.org/10.1080/13697137.2026.2691828))*
## How is hormone testing done?
There are three ways to test hormones: saliva, urine, and blood. All three are accurate — the right choice depends on what you’re looking for.
– **Blood testing** is our least preferred option. Most labs don’t provide ranges based on age or cycle timing, which makes results harder to interpret meaningfully.
– **Urine testing** gives a pooled hormone value over a period of time, which can be useful in certain situations.
– **Saliva testing** measures hormone levels at an exact point in time — just like blood — but the lab provides ranges based on age and cycle timing, making results far more useful. Saliva measures hormones at the cellular level and is just as accurate as blood.
## What symptoms suggest a hormone imbalance?
Common signs include weight gain, poor sleep, PMS, night sweats, hot flashes, and achy joints. If any of these sound familiar, hormone testing can identify what’s actually going on.
## What should I do if I think I have a hormone imbalance?
Don’t put up with not being 100%. Call the office and let’s test and find out exactly what your hormones are doing, and what to do about it.
**Call me. I’ll tell you if I can help.**
📞 (779) 324-5741