You might be wondering about Hormone Replacement Therapy (or HRT) as you age and we want to provide you with some helpful information to guide you in making HRT-related decisions, with your health and racing in mind. 

It is our duty at Purple Patch Fitness to provide you with the facts according to race regulations. However, we are not in a position to dictate what the best option is for you personally nor are we the governing body.  We understand that quality of life and health considerations are at the forefront of athletes' minds when considering these options, not performance gains. We can help you navigate this by offering alternatives and other resources should you want to continue to race.

The US Anti-Doping Agency, or the USADA, is the governing body that most races base their anti-doping regulations off of. They released an article in 2019 to assist aging athletes with the complexities involved in using hormone replacement therapy. “While these [HRT] therapies may seem routine or safe, it’s important for athletes competing in sanctioned events, even those at the non-national or recreational level, to recognize that some of these treatments may be prohibited under anti-doping rules. Moreover, the various healthcare providers who work in these clinics may not be aware that their treatments are prohibited in sport,” wrote the USADA. 

The main takeaway is that it is up to you, the athlete, to be aware of what is and is not allowed, regardless of what your doctor tells you. 

• Not all HRT practices are allowed within IRONMAN (and many other racing companies) regulations and the use of HRT will result in an athlete being disqualified from their race and/or banned from IRONMAN or the racing company. 
• Some HRT treatments are explicitly not allowed by IRONMAN as they are considered performance enhancers. 
• If you are racing and also on HRT, please immediately notify us so we can discuss the next steps and options. You must let banned hormones clear the system before you race.
• If you think you might qualify for Therapeutic Use of Exemption, or “TUE,” please let us know so we can help you navigate your next steps. 
• Remember, even some prescribed treatments are not allowed when racing. You must check whichever procedure or treatment you are considering to see if it is allowed or if you need a TUE. 

Cheers to healthy aging and racing clean.

To contact Purple Patch Fitness: click here. 

To learn more about IRONMAN TUE, visit this link. 

To view the 2019 list of banned substances, click here. 

For questions about specific products, substances, and methods, contact USADA’s Drug Reference Line at drugreference@usada.org or call (719) 785-2000, option 2.