Who Turned Up The Heat?!?
You’ve been feeling off for a while, maybe your periods starting getting weird. Maybe you started putting on pounds in all the places you don’t want to. Maybe you started snapping at people (even the ones who don’t deserve it) a little more easily.
You’re waking up tired, it could be because you’re up to pee or it could be because you’re throwing the blankets off one minute then wrapping back up in them the next.
You’re exhausted during the day and you keep forgetting why you went to the grocery store.
And then it happens… Your internal furnace cranks up the heat. You feel a flame coming from deep inside and you can’t put it out. Your face flushes, you have to take your sweater off and if only you had a fan to blast some cool air!
What the heck is happening to my body! I’m not ready for This!
Perimenopasue and Menopause can be a smooth transition for some and a very challenging road for others. Some women experience menopause much younger than they expected.
And for many women they transition at a more common time but still struggle with managing symptoms
Feeling tired, cranky, losing your sex drive, vaginal dryness, brain fog and forgetfulness, urinary leakage hot flashes and night sweats are all common symptoms of menopause.
The great new is……You don’t have to live with them!
Menopause happens for most women when hormone levels begin to drop. Some women experience a “surgical menopause” due to having a hysterectomy.
Estrogen, progesterone and testosterone all decline as we age, we are biologically wired that way - because who the heck wants to keep making babies into your 60’s and 70’s!
As hormones decline - if you were having regular periods - they may begin to get heavier or lighter, they may last monger or shorter, they may happen one month and not the next.
No wonder it is so confusing to figure out what’s going on!
Technically, menopause is defined as having been without a period for a full year, and having and elevated FSH (follicle stimulating hormone). For many women this is difficult to figure out because of the use of hormonal contraceptives, history of ablation or hysterectomy or other reasons that a cycle is not a clearly definable guide.
How can I feel optimal again?!?
Some people may benefit simply from lifestyle approaches that can help address troubling symptoms. Dietary changes, supplements and herbals as well as exercise, mediation and healthy community outlets can all benefit menopausal symptoms.
However, for many women it is not enough to feel good again.
Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy is a wonderful option for many women and helps you feel like your old self again, and sometimes even better!
Many ties, hormone imbalances have been present for a long time, when we balance underlying hormone deficiencies you can feel better than ever.
What does bio-identical mean?
Bio-idenitcal is just like it sounds - they are substances that are made to look almost exactly like the hormones your body makes.
This is important because this is different than the more common synthetic hormones.
Bio-identicals often use natural substances such as wild yam. Synthetic hormone combinations such a Premarin - are made from pregnancy horse (mare) urine. This is not as familiar to the body and can have different effects o the body.
Women’s hormones are like a symphony. If we tune up one instrument but don’t tune there rest, the music still sounds off. That’s why it is important to address all the hormones that may be deficient, including testosterone, progesterone and estrogen.
What are my options?
There are many way to integrate bio-identical therapy and each person will be different in both their needs and preferences. Compounded formulations of bio-identical hormones are often made into creams, capsules, oils and sometimes an injection. This is the most individualized way to approach hormone optimization the easiest to adjust.
Hormone Pellet Therapy has become more widespread over the past few years and are a great option for busy women who don’t want to deal with daily dosing.
What are the benefits and risks?
Hormones - even natural ones, always carry risks. However, for many Women without a significant hormone dependent cancer history, the benefits of hormone replacement therapy can be life changing.
A Meta analysis (reviewing all the available data) found that using bio-identicals was associated with lower risk of breast cancer and heart disease as compared to synthetic hormone preparations. (1)
There are many benefits from balanced hormones including; bone density, brain health - they are starting to research the effect of low estrogen on dementia and Alzheimer's, mood, weight, sleep, cardiovascular health, activity and overall wellness.
Will I have to be on them forever?
This answer is different for everyone! Some women need heal through the transitions form perimenopause to menopause and then may or may not choose to remain on hormones. Other women feel so great they continue use long term to optimize lifestyle and health.
How will hormone replacement therapy make me feel?
For most women who become hormonally balanced, they reports many benefits such as: increased energy, more balanced mood, better sleep, better weight control, no more hot flashes or night sweats, better muscle to fat ratio, less brain fog, better memory, better libido, better vaginal lubrication and sensitivity, better urinary control and much more.
Contact us today to find out how we can help you feel your best!
1. Holtorf, K. (2009). The Bioidentical Hormone Debate: Are Bioidentical Hormones (Estradiol, Estriol, and Progesterone) Safer or More Efficacious than Commonly Used Synthetic Versions in Hormone Replacement Therapy? Postgraduate Medicine, 121(1), 73–85. doi: 10.3810/pgm.2009.01.1949