"You'll have to wait for a specialist."
How do I get HRT in Ontario?
Book an assessment with a clinician who can prescribe it. A nurse practitioner can.
The straight-answers library
Asked plainly. Answered plainly.
The questions people across Ontario type into Google about menopause HRT. Short answers, with sources.
Hers
"Bioidentical is the natural, safer kind."
Is BHRT the same as HRT?
Often, yes. "Bioidentical" is a description, not a safety rating.
"A saliva panel will balance your hormones."
Do I need a saliva hormone test?
No. We don't use them to set doses.
"Come back when you have a GP."
Can I get HRT without a family doctor?
Yes. You can book with us directly.
"It can't be menopause. You still get your period."
Perimenopause or menopause?
Perimenopause is the transition. Menopause is one day: 12 months after your last period.
"It's just stress."
Can perimenopause cause anxiety?
Yes, even if you've never had it before. There are real options.
"You must be eating more."
Why am I gaining weight in perimenopause?
A slower metabolism and fat that settles in the middle. Same habits, different shape.
Costs
Is HRT covered by OHIP?
Partly. Bloodwork usually is. The medication usually isn't, unless you're 65+ or 24 and under.
Source: ontario.ca, What OHIP covers: medically necessary lab tests, including at community labs, when a nurse practitioner orders them (https://www.ontario.ca/page/what-ohip-covers).
"Private means you pay for everything."
Safety
"HRT is too risky for anyone."
Is hormone therapy safe?
For most healthy women under 60, the benefits generally outweigh the risks. Your own risks still get checked.
Is it right for me?
Hormone therapy isn't right for everyone. We'll tell you if it's not for you.
- Every answer starts with the answer. Then the reasons, then the source.
- Every claim names its source. SOGC, The Menopause Society, Health Canada, the College of Nurses of Ontario, the Endocrine Society, Ontario Health, ontario.ca.
- Every page shows what people are told. Struck through, so you can see what the straight answer replaces.
Prefer the care pages?
Ask us. We'll give you a straight answer.
An online assessment with a Nurse Practitioner, from home.
Information on this site is general and isn't a diagnosis. In an emergency, call 911.