When we think of hormone replacement therapy, we generally picture women in their mid 40s to 50s and women who have reached menopause. The truth is, there are women in their 20 and 30s who need and benefit from hormone hormone replacement therapy. The topic of hormone imbalance is broad and affects many women at various stages of life. In the post we will focus on hormone replacement therapy, which stems from declining levels of hormone levels. We will discuss hormone imbalance in a separate post.
Who needs hormone replacement?
Hormone replacement therapy is specifically for women who have low hormone levels due to premature menopause (menopause before the age of 40). Menopause is a medical diagnosis that is confirmed by hormonal testing after a woman has missed her menses for 12 months consecutively. There are some younger women with certain medical conditions who require hormone replacement much earlier in life. These include women diagnosed with conditions that cause the ovaries and or pituitary gland to decrease production of hormones.
Women with low hormone levels tend to have:-
Anxiety
Hot Flashes
Night Sweats
Irritability
Depression
Stress
Weight Gain
Hair Loss
Low Energy
Skin Changes
Insomnia
Bone Loss
Brain Fog
Memory loss
Low Libido
Vaginal dryness
Sexual Dysfunction
How do I know if I need hormone replacement?
The best way to determine if hormone replacement is a good option for you is to talk to a specialist about your symptoms. Lab tests will be ordered to determine ovarian and adrenal function as well as thyroid function.
What are my options for hormone replacement?
If you suffer from symptoms from hormone dysfunction, you are not alone and there are good options to relieve and manage symptoms. First lifestyle modifications may help. At En Santé Clinic and Medical Spa, we recommend yoga, meditation, exercise and diet modification in addition to hormone replacement. Believe it or not, what you eat daily can significantly affect how well you feel.
What foods are better for women with menopausal symptoms?
Salmon
Eggs
Berries
Peaches
Oatmeal
Flaxeeed
Soybeans
Edamame
Chickpeas
Leafy Greens
Broccoli
Yogurt
Tempeh
What are the options for Hormone replacement for women with moderate to severe symptoms?
There are two types of bioidentical hormone replacement, the ones made by major pharmaceutical companies that you can get with a prescription, and the type that you get prescribed by a specialist and custom made by a compounding pharmacy. .
What are some bioidentical hormone brands made by major pharmaceutical companies?
Evista
Climara
Menostar
Vivelle Dot
Estraderm
Fempatce
Estrace
Prometrium
Why do some use compounded bioidentical hormones?
Compounded bioidentical hormones allows for custom formulations of hormones to be made or selected based on laboratory results. Compounded hormones have the benefit of having the medication placed under the skin and eliminating the need for daily dosing. This gives the freedom from having to remember to take or use your medication daily and also allows for slow and sustained release of the medication.