History of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

This article is an educational piece by AMAVA Regenerative Medicine in Peoria Arizona. Modern medicine has come a long way. The therapies and treatments we utilize are based on scientific evidence. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) has roots in ancient practices that used natural remedies and animal extracts to alleviate symptoms related to aging and reproductive health. It wasn’t until the early 20th century that scientific advancements led to more systematic approaches to hormone replacement.

Hormone Replacement Therapy in Ancient Practices

Plant & Animal-Based Extracts

In ancient Egypt, China, and India, medicinal practices often included plant and animal extracts. Some substances used were lizard blood, ox organs, bat limbs, and glandular extracts from the musk deer. Musk deer was used to treat conditions like stroke, coma, convulsions, and heart disease. During the Tang Dynasty (618-907), physician Zhen Quan used glands from the gelded ram to treat goiter. Tonics such as ginseng were used to boost overall health, libido, and energy—possibly balancing what we now understand as hormonal systems. Specific herbs like ashwagandha and shatavari were used to support reproductive health and vitality, representing early attempts to modulate hormone-like effects in the body.

Humorism

In ancient Greece and Rome, physicians like Hippocrates and Galen believed that health depended on the balance of bodily humors (blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile). Treatments for what we might now recognize as hormonal symptoms—such as mood swings, fertility issues, or sexual dysfunction—often involved dietary changes, herbal remedies, and lifestyle adjustments to restore balance. While they didn’t understand hormones as we do today, they acknowledged the importance of maintaining equilibrium in the body.

Hormone Replacement Therapy in Modern Medicine

In the 1940s, researchers began to isolate and synthesize testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone, leading to the development of traditional hormone replacement therapies for aging men and menopausal women. Individuals experiencing symptoms like poor sleep, mood swings, fatigue, low libido, and brain fog have used AMAVA Regenerative Medicine’s hormone replacement therapy to address these common effects. Many reported significant improvements in energy levels, mood, and libido, which generated further research into HRT.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Premarin, an estrogen-based treatment for menopause, became the most prescribed medication in the United States. For many years, women relied on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to enhance their quality of life during menopause. However, in 2002, everything changed. A drug called Prempro, a combination of synthetic estrogen and progestin, was linked to an increased risk of breast cancer among women who used it long-term. This discovery led to a dramatic decline in HRT usage and a widespread perception that it was inherently dangerous.

However, the conclusions drawn from this research were flawed. A major oversight was the failure to differentiate between synthetic and natural hormone treatments in the analysis. During this time, researchers were also examining another hormone for menopausal women—testosterone. While testosterone is often associated with men, it is also the dominant hormone in women. In fact, women have about 20 times more testosterone than estrogen. All estrogen in women is derived from testosterone or testosterone-like hormones, making testosterone essential for estrogen production. In the early 2000s, medical professionals began to recognize testosterone’s role in improving sexual disorders in women, although its full impact was not yet understood.

In 2004, a study in Australia explored the effects of adding testosterone “pellets” to conventional hormone replacement therapy. These pellets, about the size of a grain of rice, are inserted under the skin and release testosterone gradually. Researchers found that women who used testosterone alongside traditional hormone therapy had significantly lower rates of breast cancer compared to those using only conventional hormone therapy or no hormone therapy at all. The study also indicated that testosterone could inhibit the growth of breast cells, potentially reducing the risk of breast cancer. Additionally, testosterone was shown to alleviate common symptoms of menopause.

In 2013, a decade-long U.S. study confirmed these findings. The research demonstrated that using testosterone alone, without other hormone therapy, not only relieved all menopausal symptoms but also significantly lowered the expected rates of breast cancer. According to the study, testosterone pellets without the addition of estrogen or progesterone improved quality of life and reduced menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep disturbances, depression, anxiety, sexual issues, and joint discomfort. Notably, women using testosterone therapy experienced a 50–70% reduction in expected breast cancer rates, with no major side effects.

In 2017, another study reported a case in which a woman with stage II breast cancer was treated with testosterone before starting chemotherapy. Within a month and a half, the tumor shrank by approximately 50%. Once chemotherapy was introduced, the tumor disappeared entirely, and follow-up surgery found no trace of it.

Over the past 15 years, numerous studies have indicated that testosterone replacement therapy can safely alleviate menopausal symptoms and lower the risk of breast cancer. Some research even suggests that testosterone may reduce the likelihood of breast cancer recurrence more effectively than traditional chemotherapy. Currently, there is a growing demand for more “natural” treatments, such as Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT). BHRT utilizes hormones that are chemically identical to those produced by the body, aiming for a more personalized approach to treatment. Patients seeking alternatives to synthetic hormones have embraced BHRT, believing it offers a safer and more effective option for managing menopausal symptoms.

Looking for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)?

AMAVA Regenerative Medicine offering hormone replacement therapy in Peoria, AZ, specializes in helping you regain balance and vitality through personalized Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). As we age, hormonal imbalances can lead to a variety of symptoms that affect your quality of life, from fatigue and weight gain to decreased libido and mood swings. Our hormone replacement therapy is designed to restore optimal hormone levels, allowing you to feel your best at every stage of life.

Speak with AMAVA Regenerative Medicine now and call 480-681-7690