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Wellness Community Spotlight: Synergy Women’s Health and The Conversation Around Hormone Therapy

At Hosmer Chiropractic Health, we believe strong community wellness starts with trusted local providers who support patients through every stage of health. We love connecting our patients with complementary care resources in our neighborhood — especially ones who are helping people navigate important health conversations with clarity and compassion.

Today, we’re highlighting Synergy Women’s Health in Northwest Portland. Dr. Karen Ogryzlo recently shared an updated perspective on hormone therapy, including current research, common benefits, potential risks, and why more women are revisiting the conversation during perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause.

Below is a summary of what we learned from Dr. Ogryzlo. If you’re interested in learning more, we encourage you to contact Synergy Women’s Health.

Why More Women Are Exploring Hormone Therapy

According to Dr. Ogryzlo, there has been increasing attention on supporting quality of life during the perimenopausal, menopausal, and postmenopausal years. She explains that newer research has helped provide a clearer understanding of how hormone therapy may safely and effectively support some women when used appropriately.

Earlier studies published more than 20 years ago led to understandable concern and uncertainty around hormone therapy. Since then, additional research has offered a more balanced picture of both the potential benefits and risks, helping women and their healthcare providers make more informed, individualized decisions.

Symptoms Hormone Therapy May Help Address

Dr. Ogryzlo explains that hormone therapy remains one of the most effective treatments for many common menopausal symptoms, including:

  • Hot flashes and night sweats
  • Sleep disruption
  • Mood changes and irritability
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Concentration difficulties or “brain fog”
  • Palpitations
  • Joint pain, stiffness, worsening arthritis, and frozen shoulder

Many women notice improvements within weeks of beginning treatment. Dr. Ogryzlo also shared that some perimenopausal women may benefit from hormone support before menopause is fully reached.

Hormone therapy works by restoring or balancing hormone levels using estrogen and/or progesterone. For many women who begin therapy within 10 years of menopause, the potential benefits usually outweigh the risks.

Potential Long-Term Health Benefits

Beyond symptom relief, Dr. Ogryzlo notes that early hormone therapy may also support long-term health in some women. 

Research suggests potential benefits may include:

  • Reduced bone loss and lower osteoporosis risk
  • Improved cardiovascular health outcomes
  • Lower risk of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease

She also shared that more women are choosing to continue hormone therapy longer than previously recommended in order to maintain comfort, mobility, sleep quality, and overall quality of life.

Hormone Therapy is Not One-Size-Fits-All

Dr. Ogryzlo emphasizes that this therapy should always be individualized based on a patient’s symptoms, medical history, and health goals.

Some women may not be candidates for hormone therapy, including those with:

  • A history of hormone-sensitive cancers
  • Blood clotting disorders or prior blood clots
  • Certain cardiovascular conditions
  • Severe liver disease
  • Unexplained vaginal bleeding
  • Pregnancy or plans to conceive

Like many medical treatments, hormone therapy also carries potential risks and side effects that should be discussed with a qualified provider.

Understanding Risks and Side Effects

Dr. Ogryzlo explained that certain forms of hormone therapy may increase the risk of blood clots, stroke, breast cancer, gallbladder disease, or cardiovascular complications depending on the patient’s age, treatment timing, and type of therapy used.

Some women may also experience temporary side effects, such as:

  • Spotting or bleeding
  • Breast tenderness
  • Bloating or stomach cramps
  • Headaches
  • Nausea 

These symptoms often improve as the body adjusts to treatment.

Interested in Learning More?

Because hormone therapy is highly individualized, Dr. Ogryzlo encourages women to speak with a gynecologist or healthcare professional experienced in hormone therapy to determine whether treatment may be appropriate for their personal health history and goals.

Synergy Women’s Health is currently welcoming new patients at their Northwest Portland office:

Hormone therapy information provided by Karen Ogryzlo, MD, FACOG, of Synergy Women’s Health.

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