Why Every Woman’s HRT Journey Is Unique — And Why Yours Should BeToo

1. Hormones Aren’t Linear — and Neither Are You

Hormones don’t move in straight lines. In perimenopause, they fluctuate wildly — some

days you might feel great, and the next, like a completely different person. In menopause,

levels drop off more predictably, but how your body responds can still vary hugely from

someone else’s. Add in surgical menopause or underlying health issues, and the picture

becomes even more complex.

On top of that, factors like stress, sleep, gut health, and lifestyle all influence how your body

uses and processes hormones. It’s not just about what’s “normal” — it’s about what’s

optimal for you. That’s why listening closely to how you feel is just as important as looking

at your blood test results. Every woman has a different starting point, and every woman

deserves a plan that reflects it.

2. The Art of Dosing — Why Some Women Start Gently, and Others Need a Bit

More Support:

When it comes to hormone therapy, there’s no one‑size‑fits‑all prescription. The goal is

always to identify the smallest effective dose that helps you feel well, while also protecting

your long-term health.

Start Low, Adjust Gradually:

- NICE guidance on menopause (NG23, 2024) recommends using HRT within licensed

dosages and reviewing regularly to ensure the benefit–risk balance remains appropriate.

- NHS and Women’s Health Concern guidelines support starting with lower doses and

stepping up gradually, reassessing symptoms at three-month intervals.

Offering Slightly More Support When Needed:

- Some women may require doses toward the upper end of licensed ranges to achieve

symptom relief. This should always follow review and careful symptom mapping.

- Studies show that a proportion of women on standard doses still have low estradiol levels,

highlighting the need for personalised adjustment based on clinical response.

Balancing Symptom Relief and Safety:

- The British Menopause Society and NICE agree: HRT should be individualised and

reviewed regularly. Licensed maximum doses can be used when appropriate but should not

be exceeded outside of specialist care.

At The Parkwood Clinic, we start with a licensed dose and adjust based on how you feel.

Some women benefit from gentle, gradual increases; others may need more support early

on to improve quality of life. Either way, your plan is guided by safety, science, and you.

3. The Power of Personalisation

There’s a reason we don’t follow a set “protocol” at The Parkwood Clinic: no two women’s

bodies — or hormone needs — are the same. Your treatment should be guided by more

than just your age or stage of menopause. We look at your symptoms, blood test results,

medical history, lifestyle, stress levels, sensitivity to medication, and even your gut health.

It’s all connected.

For example, some women absorb hormones really well through the skin, while others

don’t — which is why we may recommend different formats (gels, patches, creams, oral

options) depending on how your body responds. We may also combine hormones in

bespoke ways, adjusting the balance of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone or DHEA to fit

your personal profile — not someone else’s.

Personalised HRT isn’t just about symptom relief (though that’s important) — it’s also

about prevention, long-term wellbeing, and helping you feel like yourself again. It’s about

finding the smallest effective dose, delivered in the right way, at the right time — and being

prepared to tweak it as your needs change.

This is your journey. And we’re here to walk it with you.

4. “Is This Normal?” — Why Comparing Yourself to Others Doesn’t Work

One of the most common questions I hear in clinic is: “My friend is on this dose — why am I

not?” Or “She felt better after two weeks — should I?”

It’s human nature to compare ourselves, especially when we’re trying to make sense of

unfamiliar symptoms. But when it comes to hormones, comparison can be misleading —

and sometimes, disheartening. One woman’s perfect dose might be completely wrong for

someone else. Two women the same age can respond entirely differently to the same HRT,

even if they’re both “doing it by the book.”

At The Parkwood Clinic, we try to shift the focus from what’s normal to what’s right for you.

Are your symptoms improving? Is your sleep better? Do you feel calmer, clearer, stronger?

That’s the data we care about — not what your sister, friend, or colleague is taking.

There’s no gold standard HRT protocol — just a journey to find your balance.

Conclusion: Your Hormones, Your Journey

Navigating perimenopause or menopause can feel like stepping into the unknown —

especially when you’re handed generic solutions that don’t seem to fit. But it doesn’t have to

be that way. When hormone therapy is done well, it’s not just about replacing what's

missing — it’s about restoring how you feel in yourself.

At The Parkwood Clinic, we believe in working with your body, not against it. That means

taking the time to understand your unique hormone picture, your goals, your sensitivities,

and your lifestyle. It means starting gently when needed, or acting quickly when it makes

sense. And it means knowing that your plan might evolve — because you do.

Wherever you are in your journey, you deserve to be heard, supported, and treated as the

individual you are. Because your hormones are personal — and your HRT should be too.