Menopause is literally just one day! One day of your entire life—it’s when the period stops. However, what about the 30 years before and after menopause?
You’re likely here because you have tried everything else and nothing worked. You have tried supplements, exercise, diet restrictions and hormone balancing protocols. You realize that nothing actually works to restore hormones except replenishing them with natural hormones. More and more research evolves to show how critical hormones are to health and well-being. Their benefits extend well beyond treatment of menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Women are really beginning to shift their perspective—that hormones are the key to anti-aging</a >, prevention of disease, and absolutely necessary to feel your best. You can continue to try all the supplements, herbs and diets you want—but you won’t feel your best without replacing low hormones.
A decade ago, men were at where women are now. We used to think that testosterone caused heart disease, stroke and prostate cancer. Now we know that isn’t true and that restoring testosterone in men gives the youthful, vibrant, rock-hard body they always dreamed of. We have normalized aging for men, and testosterone replacement therapy is standardized, widely available and not shameful—even for men in their 20s to start!
Women are at a pivotal point in history. We have always been told that everything is downhill after the age of 30 for us. Doctors tell us that aging is normal and that we have to feel this way. Doctors tell us that estrogen causes heart disease, stroke and breast cancer. Menopause and perimenopause are seen as shameful and nothing to aspire to.
Women have the opportunity now to turn the tide, just like men did for themselves a decade ago. Women are beginning to realize how beneficial estradiol, progesterone and testosterone are for them to look and feel good as they age!
Women are no longer accepting the status quo, and they don’t have to hide their aging—in fact, they can choose to age differently!
Are you noticing that your workouts aren’t yielding the same results, your sleep isn’t as restorative, or your mental clarity isn’t as sharp as it used to be? Are you doing all the other longevity and biohacking tactics and want to build your foundation better? Have you heard success stories of using HRT from other women, or are you simply seeking to increase your healthspan and get started earlier on HRT? Then you’re in the right place.
I’m Dr. Sarah Daccarett, a longevity, hormone and peptide specialist, and I’ve helped thousands of women navigate biohacking and using estradiol, progesterone and testosterone to optimize their longevity protocol. HRT is a total game-changer—not just for treating symptoms but as a cornerstone of anti-aging and long-term wellness.
In this article, I will explore the benefits of HRT, specifically Bioidentical HRT backed by science and real-world success stories. Then you can make an informed decision on when it is right for you to start them. Keep in mind that if you wait until menopause—you are missing out on the 30 years prior to menopause to keep your health optimized! After this article, you may consider starting them as soon as symptoms start</i >.
The Story of Hormone Replacement Therapy
HRT has been around for decades</a >, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood areas of women’s health. In the past, it was seen primarily as a treatment for hot flashes and night sweats during menopause. However, modern research has proven that HRT does far more than just relieve symptoms—it plays a critical role in protecting against osteoporosis</a >, heart disease</a >, cognitive decline</a >, and other age-related health issues.
Despite outdated fears stemming from flawed studies</a >, today’s bioidentical hormones offer a safe and highly effective way to support a woman’s body at every age. One of the most damaging studies was the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) in 2002, which incorrectly linked HRT to an increased risk of breast cancer, heart disease, and stroke. However, this study was deeply flawed—and its findings were almost immediately retracted.
By that point, it was too late—the media had picked up the story. The study never showed that estrogen caused breast cancer, but instead a synthetic hormone called progestin increased risk only very slightly. The study also highlighted the fact that women need to get started early. Subsequent research has debunked these claims, showing that bioidentical hormones do not carry the same risks and, in fact, provide substantial protective benefits</a >. More recent studies confirm that starting HRT earlier—not waiting until after menopause—optimizes cardiovascular, cognitive, and bone health while reducing overall mortality. Yet, many doctors still rely on outdated information. It’s time to shift the conversation and acknowledge the life-changing, evidence-backed benefits of bioidentical HRT.
Benefits of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
Young Women with Endometriosis, PCOS, Post-Birth Control Syndrome, or Toxin Exposure (20s – 30s)
Many women in their 20s and 30s experience hormonal imbalances long before menopause. Conditions like endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and post-birth control syndrome can leave women struggling with irregular cycles, debilitating cramps, acne, weight gain, and mood swings. Years of synthetic hormone exposure from birth control or environmental toxins may contribute to estrogen dominance, progesterone deficiency, and disrupted testosterone levels.
Benefits of Starting HRT at This Age:
- Addresses symptoms of endometriosis</b >, which is caused by low progesterone and estrogen. Also reduces inflammation, as hormones regulate the immune system. Endometriosis has the potential to get better within weeks on Oestra.
- Helps improve heavy and painful periods often occur when hormones are low and not being produced.
- Lowers LH when it is elevated in PCOS</b >, which improves insulin sensitivity, cycle regulation and restores ovulation.
- Addresses post-birth control syndromeby replenishing depleted hormones and stabilizing cycles after discontinuing synthetic contraceptives, which suppress hormone production and lead to infertility.
- Improves metabolic health</b >
to prevent insulin resistance, weight gain, and energy crashes. - Supports fertility and reproductive health</b >, particularly for women experiencing cycle irregularities or difficulty conceiving.
- Supports metabolism and muscle mass to prevent weight gain, diabetes and metabolic dysfunction. Reduces anxiety, irritability and improves mood stability by restoring progesterone and estradiol.
- Enhances sleep quality by optimizing neurotransmitters like dopamine & serotonin, and boosting melatonin while regulating cortisol.
- Preserves skin elasticity and hair health</b >
by maintaining estrogen and progesterone levels. Hormones are arguably the best anti-aging for skin and hair! - Protects bone density,to prevent early osteoporosis.
- Protects against heart disease, which is easier to prevent in your 30s than to treat in your 50s.
- Boosts libido, sensitivity, and ease of orgasms even if vaginal dryness is not a concern. Helps prevent UTIs, yeast infections, and vaginal odor, very common in perimenopausal women.
- Boosts GUT health, which begins to decline when hormones decline.
- Lowers and regulates cortisol – progesterone and estradiol lower and regulate cortisol.
- Improves skin thickness and hydration</b >
to combat thinning and wrinkling. - Reduces inflammation and risk for autoimmunity, because both estradiol and progesterone boost and regulate the immune system.
Considerations at this age:
- Starting HRT early can prevent long-term hormonal imbalances and reduce the risk of developing chronic conditions.
- Vaginal bioidentical hormones offer a safe and effective alternative to synthetic birth control for hormone regulation, heavy periods, acne and syndromes like endometriosis and birth control.
- Many symptoms labeled as ‘normal’ or ‘stress-related’ may actually be early signs of hormonal dysfunction that bioidentical HRT can correct.
Perimenopause (30s-40s)
Menopause only refers to the day that the period stops. It is just one day in a woman’s life. Using this word and placing too much significance on the cessation of the period has caused too much confusion for women.
Many women assume that menopause happens at age 51 and then there isn’t anything they can do about their hormones until then. The reality is that hormone levels begin to decline in the 30s. This decline can lead to early symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, acne, brain fog, heavy and painful periods, weight gain, hair loss, and decreased libido—often misattributed to stress or lifestyle factors. Women are told that they just need to exercise more and eat better – and this is simply not true!
Benefits of Starting HRT at this age:
- Maintains metabolism and muscle mass to prevent weight gain, diabetes, and metabolic dysfunction.
- Reduces anxiety, irritability, and improves mood stability by balancing progesterone and estradiol.
- Enhances sleep quality by optimizing neurotransmitters like dopamine & serotonin. It also boosts melatonin and lowers/regulates cortisol. If you are waking up frequently, or at 4 AM every day – your hormones are low!
- Preserves skin elasticity and hair health —by maintaining estrogen and progesterone levels. Hormones are arguably the best anti-aging for skin and hair!
- Protects bone density</b >
, to prevent early osteoporosis. - Guards against heart disease which is the number one killer in the US. Heart disease is easier to prevent in your 30s then treated in your 50s!.
- Boosts libido, sensitivity, and ease of orgasms even if vaginal dryness is not a concern for you.
- Helps prevent UTIs, yeast infections, and vaginal odor</b >
which is very common for perimenopausal women. - Boosts GUT health which begins to decline when hormones decline.
- Lowers and regulates cortisol – progesterone and estradiol lower and regulate cortisol.
- Improves skin thickness and hydration to combat thinning and wrinkling.
- Reduces inflammation and risk for autoimmunity because both estradiol and progesterone boost and regulate the immune system.
Considerations in perimenopause:
- HRT can be started at the first signs of hormonal decline—there’s no need to wait until menopause.
- Vaginal HRT offers high bioavailability and can be customized for younger women.
- Blood tests may not always reflect hormone deficiencies—symptoms matter more.
- Symptoms can be more general like weight gain, insomnia, fatigue and acne. These are often attributed to “high cortisol” or “leaky gut” or “bad diet” or something other than the real root cause –low hormones. This is why perimenopause goes on for many years without treatment.
Menopause (50s-60s)
Menopause is officially defined as the point when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a period. However, the transition leading up to menopause (perimenopause) can last for 20 years. Menopause is generally when women start seeking help because vaginal discomfort and hot flashes become extreme, even if they’ve already suffered from fatigue and anxiety for many years.
Benefits of Starting HRT in This Phase:
- Eliminates hot flashes and night sweats, for better sleep and daily comfort.
- Restores energy and mental clarity by balancing estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
- Prevents vaginal dryness and painful intercourse.
- Improves heart health by maintaining arterial flexibility and reducing inflammation.
- Reduces joint pain and muscle stiffness</b >
by supporting collagen production.
Considerations in This Phase:
- The earlier HRT is started, the more protective benefits it provides</a >.
- Customizable dosing is key—what works for one woman may not work for another. Vaginal cream like Oestra has the ability to be lowered, raised or custom to how you are feeling.
- It’s never too late to start, but waiting too long can lead to preventable health decline.
- Side-effects of starting during this phase include intermittent bleeding and spotting for the first 3-6 months. There can also be significant uterine cramping that gets better over time.
Postmenopause (60s and beyond)
Many women assume that if they don’t start HRT before menopause, it’s too late. This is not true. Even in postmenopause, HRT can offer substantial benefits in preventing age-related decline and improving quality of life. However, finding a clinician who will start you after age 59 can be challenging. At Inner Balance, our cutoff to start is age 59, even if you have been on HRT for years.
Will Hormone Replacement Therapy Benefit You?
If you’re experiencing symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, low mood, or weight gain, your body is telling you something. The good news? HRT can help, no matter your age.
Many women worry about talking to their doctors about HRT. Unfortunately, most traditional providers aren’t trained in bioidentical hormone therapy and may dismiss symptoms or rely on outdated protocols. That’s why it’s important to find a specialist who understands the nuances of HRT and longevity medicine.
Final Thoughts: It’s Time to Take Control of Your Health
HRT isn’t just about relieving symptoms—it’s about long-term wellness, disease prevention, and feeling your best at every age. Whether you’re in your 20s suffering from endometriosis or PCOS, in your 30s or 40s noticing hormonal decline, or in your 50s navigating menopause, HRT can be a powerful tool in your health and longevity strategy.
You deserve to feel your best. You deserve options. And you deserve the right information to make the best decision for your body.
If you’re ready to explore what HRT can do for you, let’s get started together. Inner Balance is here to guide you every step of the way.
