Hormone Pellet Therapy: How It Helps Menopause

From feeling hungry in the morning to sleepy at night, your hormones influence almost every aspect of your day. Hormones are chemicals that travel through your body and signal processes like growth, metabolism and fertility.

As you age, your hormone levels continue to change. When women approach age 40, they experience a natural decline in the reproductive hormones estrogen and progesterone. Eventually, this decrease in hormone levels will lead to menopause, which is when menstruation permanently stops. Menopause typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55.

Menopause can be difficult. Fluctuations in hormone levels can cause hot flashes, weight gain, mood changes, problems with sleeping and other issues. Long-term lower hormone levels during menopause can cause vaginal dryness, thinning hair and dry skin, and decreased bone density, among other unpleasant symptoms.

Hormone replacement therapy can help treat symptoms of menopause and provide relief.

What is hormone replacement therapy?

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) helps regulate the hormone levels in your body by delivering those hormones in the form of medication. Your doctor will work with you to prescribe the correct hormones, and dose, that you need.

What are the benefits of hormone replacement therapy in treating menopause?

HRT can be very effective in managing symptoms of menopause. Hormone replacement therapy can:

• Reduce the number and severity of hot flashes
• Reduce vaginal dryness
• Minimize bone loss
• Help with trouble sleeping

What is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy?

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, also known as natural hormone replacement therapy, consists of hormone medications created in a lab that are designed to match hormones produced by the human body. Bioidentical matches for estrogen, progesterone and testosterone can be created with the use of natural plants, like soybeans and yams. The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) reports that approximately 1.4 million women use bioidentical hormone therapy to treat symptoms of menopause.

How is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy delivered?

Your doctor will work with you to decide which biomedical hormone replacement option and dosage is best for you. Bioidentical hormone therapy can be delivered through:

• Pills
• Patches
• Gels
• Creams
• Shots
• Pellets

What are the benefits of hormone pellet therapy?

Hormone pellets for women have several advantages for treating menopause, compared to other forms of hormone replacement therapy. Every woman is different and will require different hormones—and levels of hormones—to treat their individual menopausal symptoms. Hormone pellets allow for the exact blend and dose of hormones you need to be created in a convenient pellet form. Pellets are implanted under the skin to deliver a steady dose of hormones to your body, so there is no need to remember to take a pill or apply a patch or cream.

Hormone pellet therapy can help relieve the following menopausal symptoms:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Vaginal dryness
• Decreased sex drive
• Pain during sex
• Trouble sleeping
• Decreased energy
• Fatigue
• Loss of muscle mass and bone density

What are the side effects of biomedical hormones?

All medications have potential side effects. Women who are considering taking bioidentical hormones often want to know how hormones will affect them and often ask questions such as, "Does progesterone cause weight gain?" or, "Will hormone replacements make me moody?" Every woman will respond to hormones differently and your doctor may have to adjust the blend and dose of hormones you are receiving based on how your body reacts. Potential side effects of biomedical hormone therapy include:

• Weight gain
• Acne
• Increased facial hair
• Breast tenderness
• Mood swings

Are bioidentical hormones safe?

Bioidentical hormones that have been approved by the FDA, have passed rigorous quality and safety tests and are deemed safe to use. As with all medication, risks do exist. Women who take hormones can be at increased risk of stroke, blood clots and gallbladder disease. Women who are older and take HRT for an extended length of time may be at an increased risk of heart disease and breast cancer.

The ultimate goal of hormone replacement therapy is to be on the lowest dose possible, for the least amount of time as possible, to manage your symptoms and provide relief. Your doctor will work with you to determine the safest hormone replacement therapy treatment plan.

If you are experiencing side effects from menopause that are interfering with your daily life, there is no need to continue to suffer. Hormone pellet therapy is now provided at Revive Spa & Skincare. Request an appointment online today and find out more about hormone replacement therapy treatment options.