Hormone replacement therapy using estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA and Pregnenolone supplements offer relief for women who suffer from menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, sexual dysfunction and night sweats. If you are experiencing symptoms of menopause, hormone therapy might be the answer. For pre-menopausal women, common hormone imbalances can contribute to symptoms like heavier periods, PMS, and increased incidence of issues like uterine fibroids, endometriosis and fibrocystic breasts. Again, appropriate hormone therapy can help.
To learn more about Female Hormone Therapy, Find a Provider Today!
Hormones are chemical messengers created in the endocrine glands that control major bodily functions, such as emotions and the sleep cycle. Estrogen and progesterone are the female hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle in women.
As women enter their late 30s, their ovaries begin to produce less and less of these hormones. Reduced hormone levels lead to loss in fertility and irregular menstrual periods. By the early 50s, women will stop having periods altogether as their bodies cease estrogen and progesterone production. Menopause can also result from a total hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy, in which the uterus and ovaries are removed.
Although symptoms of menopause vary for every woman, the most common ones include:
In some cases, menopause can lead to more serious conditions, such as severe bone loss (osteoporosis). Studies show women also have an increased risk for heart disease in as little as three years after menopause.
The main purpose of hormone replacement therapy is to provide sufficient hormone levels to relieve bothersome symptoms, improve quality of life and restore hormone balance. For women suffering from menopausal or pre-menopausal symptoms, many healthcare experts believe biologically identical forms of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone are the best choices for their patients.
To begin the procedure, your healthcare provider will review and collect your symptoms and medical history, and then test your hormone levels (with either blood, saliva or urine samples) to determine hormone imbalances or deficiencies. This process allows hormone therapy to be tailored to address your specific hormonal replacement needs.
Many hormone experts strongly believe that a women’s health is best protected by providing or maintaining a natural balance of all a woman’s hormones, whether or not they still have a uterus. Most women agree, balanced hormone therapy also improves how they feel (their quality of life).
Hormone therapy can be provided in a variety of different forms, such as:
The delivery method that you receive will depend on the severity and nature of your hormonal symptoms and what you and your provider deem most effective. Common examples might be; for a pre-menopausal woman with PMS, Progesterone capsules alone may be prescribed. Whereas, for a menopausal woman, an estrogen + testosterone cream, and progesterone capsules might be required for relief of hot flashes, night sweats and low libido. It is also recommended that women who use hormone therapy begin the treatment with lower doses, then slowly work their way up to higher doses if necessary.
There are many benefits of female hormone replacement therapy. Besides reducing hot flashes and vaginal dryness, hormone therapy may provide relief from:
Female hormone therapy may also help protect your bones and lower your risk of heart disease.
Many publications suggest all hormone therapy will increase your risk of developing blood clots, strokes and urine or breast cancer. When experts look deeply into the details of those studies, a different picture is formed. What they have found can be summarized as:
Groups of women with Reduced Risk of breast cancer, heart disease and stroke:
Groups of women with Increased Risk of breast cancer, heart disease and stroke:
Be sure to speak with your healthcare provider before beginning any kind of hormone therapy supplementation.
Menopause can be a challenge, but there is no reason to go through it without a little help. To learn more about hormone therapy options for women, Find a Provider Today!
