Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is one of the most popular requests we receive at our compounding pharmacy today. Naturally, if you are just beginning this treatment (or thinking of bringing it up to your doctor), you will have lots of questions. Many patients often ask, “How long after applying hormone cream can I shower?”
In this post, we will address the topic of hormone creams and aftercare, including how long you need to wait before showering or swimming.
What are BHRT Creams?
Hormone creams are a popular way to undergo BHRT treatment. As the name suggests, this is a topical treatment. You apply the compounded cream, and your skin absorbs the hormones into your bloodstream.
Since the hot flashes, night sweats, dizziness, depression, and vaginal dryness can be debilitating, many patients choose this option since it is one of the easiest ways to receive estrogen or progesterone therapy.
Once your doctor decides that you are an eligible candidate for BHRT, they will determine the correct dosing for you.
Your doctor will need to determine how much estrogen or progesterone you need. The dosages are customized to you and your symptoms, whether they are mild or severe.
Once they do, you can take your prescription to a compounding pharmacy and ask the pharmacists to create a cream formula for you.
Should Hormone Creams Be Your First Option?
We generally recommend using hormone creams over other methods, though you should speak to your doctor about what method works best for you.
Absorption Method
Many patients prefer using creams since they are easy to apply. Creams also tend to be more comfortable and convenient since you do not have to schedule regular appointments or undergo minor surgical procedures each time.
Easily Customizable
Creams allow you a bit more control than other methods. The level of hormones that enter your bloodstream depends on how much and how often you apply. With your doctor’s guidance, you may be able to adjust your dosage by using more or less cream.
You can also work with your doctor and compounding pharmacist to create a new cream with a more suitable dosage.
How Long After Applying Hormone Cream Can I Shower?
To ensure that you are getting your full dosage of hormones, you should avoid certain activities immediately after applying the hormone cream:
- Showering
- Swimming
- Exercising
- Wearing tight-fitting clothing
Since showering and swimming introduce water to your skin, these activities can wash away the cream, preventing the hormones from fully entering your bloodstream. Exercise can also cause you to sweat, which doesn’t allow your skin to absorb the treatment.
It is recommended that you apply hormone cream AFTER you shower. But if you need to apply the treatment beforehand, wait for at least one to two hours for the cream to absorb into your skin.
Be sure to avoid tight-fitting clothing as well since it touches the areas where you applied the cream, rubbing away the treatment.
Ready to Fill Your Prescription?
Have more questions about hormone cream application? Need to fill your compounded hormone cream prescription? Reach our pharmacist Sonia at 305-665-4411.
Recent Comments