Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormone replacement is the progressive medical treatment of optimizing hormones no longer adequately produced by our body. Traditional medicine has accepted declining hormone levels and has taught us to live with declining quality of life. Regaining and maintaining metabolic and endocrine functions allows you to live a more healthy quality life. Treatment must be balanced with concerns expressed in the patient's family history and should be approached with caution as with any treatment. Your physician or pharmacist can address any particular concerns or questions you may have regarding your candidacy for treatment.
Female Hormone Replacement Therapy
Bioidentical Estrogen
This medication may contain one or more of estriol, estradiol and estrone. Symptoms of low estrogen include hot flashes, night sweats, irregular menses, mood swings and vaginal dryness, burning and itching. Side effects include nausea, breakthrough bleeding, breast tenderness, fluid retention and weight gain, and more. Check with your physician or pharmacist if you have specific questions.
Bioidentical Progesterone
Symptoms of low progesterone include PMS, anxiety and trouble sleeping among others. Side effects are minimal but you should contact your physician or pharmacist if you experience weight changes or swelling of the ankles or fingers. Progesterone can affect your blood sugar and thyroid levels so let your physician know if you are diabetic or on thyroid supplementation. Contact your physician immediately if you experience sudden or severe headaches, sudden loss of coordination, sudden loss of vision or changes in vision, chest pain, weakness, numbness or pain in extremities, shortness of breath or slurred speech. If you have specific questions regarding this medication or your particular medical history, please contact your physician or pharmacist before beginning treatment.
Bioidentical Testosterone
Women produce testosterone, but in significantly lower levels than their male counterpart. Replacement may be used to prevent muscle wasting, increase libido and provide balance to mood. Sometimes, your physician will choose to provide a DHEA supplement in conjunction with testosterone replacement.