Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), also called hormone therapy, sometimes is used to counter side effects, such as hot flashes, mood swings and vaginal dryness, that can result from a decrease in female hormones during menopause.
Typical costs:
For patients not covered by health insurance, the average monthly cost of hormone replacement therapy can range from about $10 to $85, depending on the drug used. Generic estrogen-only or progesterone-only pills fall at the lower end of the cost range, while brand name estrogen-plus-progesterone pills or patches such as Prempro the CombiPatch, fall in the middle and some bioidentical estrogen vaginal creams, such as Estrace Cream, can fall on the high end. ConsumerReports.com offers a comparison chart of the monthly costs of various hormone replacement therapy pills, creams and patches.
Hormone replacement therapy is covered by most health insurance plans, but some do not cover it because they consider hormone-level decline a normal part of aging. For example, several women on WebMD's menopause support forum stated that their Kaiser plans did not cover HRT.
For patients covered by insurance, prescription drug copays range from $5 to $30 per month.
What should be included:
Hormone replacement therapy typically contains synthetic versions of the hormones estrogen and progestin or a combination of the two. Recently, there has been more interest in bioidentical hormones, which mimic those produced by a woman's body. Harvard Health provides an overview of bioidentical hormones, and cautions that there is no solid scientific evidence these are safer or more effective than non-bioidentical hormones.
Hormone replacement therapy generally is available in the form of a pill, a patch, a gel, a vaginal cream or a slow-releasing vaginal ring. Most pills are taken daily, and most creams are applied daily, while patches are usually applied once or twice a week. The North American Menopause Society has an overview of HRT.
Additional costs:
An initial doctor visit is required, and that can cost between $75 and $200 without insurance.
Before prescribing HRT, the doctor probably will order a blood test to check hormone levels, and it can cost about $1,000 without insurance.
Periodic follow-up doctor visits, and possibly follow-up blood testing, will be required.
Discounts:
Walmart offers several generic HRT drugs for $4 for a monthly supply.
Shopping for hormone replacement therapy:
Hormone replacement therapy was much more commonly prescribed before a 2002 study exposed some risks, such as an increased risk of heart disease, blood clots, strokes and breast cancer. Now, long-term hormone replacement therapy generally is not recommended, but short-term therapy may, in addition to symptom relief, provide other health benefits, such as protection against osteoporosis and colorectal cancer. The Mayo Clinic provides an overview of benefits and risks, and the American Cancer Society offers a detailed FAQ on HRT and risk for different types of cancer.
Talk to your regular gynecologist about whether you are a candidate for HRT. Or, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists offers a doctor finder by state.
However, even short-term hormone replacement therapy is not recommended for women with heart disease, breast cancer or history of strokes. The National Institutes of Health provides an overview of research on complementary and alternative therapies.
Side effects of hormone replacement therapy can include symptoms such as headaches, stomache cramps, fluid retention, breast tenderness and changes in sex drive.
Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
