
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.