Are you going through menopause? Have you had a hysterectomy? If so, have you experienced hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, mood swings, vaginal discomfort, or weight fluctuation? These common menopausal symptoms appear when the body stops making estrogen during menopause or following a hysterectomy. Hormone therapy for menopause can help you lead a more normal life. Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) is a medication that contains female hormones to treat these common symptoms. Your body utilizes them just like your naturally-produced hormones. Hormone therapy can benefit people who suffer from a hormonal imbalance or might not naturally make enough hormones.

What Does Hormone Therapy Do?

Hormone replacement therapy replaces low or lost hormones in the body. Your body will naturally lose certain hormones as you age, go through menopause, or undergo a hysterectomy. Unbalanced female hormones can cause uncomfortable, unpleasant, and sometimes painful side effects. Some of the most common effects of low hormones include:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Sleeping issues
• Energy loss
• Fatigue
• Vaginal dryness
• Painful intercourse
• Loss of interest in sex
• Mood swings
• Weight gain
• Memory loss

Once hormone levels are restored, most patients notice their symptoms improve. So if you’re experiencing any of the concerns above, consider BHRT therapy to help improve your overall quality of life.

Who Can Benefit From Hormone Therapy?

Certain hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone deplete with age. Most women experiencing menopausal symptoms or have had a hysterectomy and are experiencing menopausal symptoms are candidates for HRT Therapy. However, there are some other reasons to consider hormone therapy. For example, some patients take hormone replacement medications to prevent bone loss or fractures.

Hormone therapy can also help with osteoporosis, a bone-thinning disease. Some women may also have an estrogen deficiency from surgically removing their ovaries, experienced premature or early menopause, or have primary ovarian insufficiency. Hormone replacement therapy can increase estrogen levels to decrease risks for potentially dangerous health conditions like osteoporosis, heart disease, stroke, and dementia.

Who Shouldn’t Use Bioidentical Hormones?

Before taking any medication, discussing the pros and cons with your healthcare provider is important. Hormone therapy may not be safe for all patients. HRT may not be the right choice for you if you’ve had or are at risk for any of the following health concerns.

• Blood clotting conditions
• Heart or cardiovascular disease
• Breast cancer
• Stroke

How Do I Take Bioidentical Hormones?

Several FDA-approved products containing bioidentical estrogen and progesterone are available for regular use. Hormone replacement therapy medications can be in pill form, patches, injections, gels, vaginal tablets, or creams.

You and your doctor will decide which method is best for you as a team. Some patients try one or more kinds of therapy before finding the one that works best. People taking hormone treatment drugs are monitored closely by their doctors. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to HRT therapy. Instead, your healthcare provider will create a custom care plan based on your changing hormone needs. It’s also common for your dose to shift throughout treatment.

BHRT aims to use the lowest effective hormone dose for the shortest amount of time needed to treat your symptoms. Most women discontinue taking it once their menopausal symptoms pass, which is usually after a couple of years. That said, there’s no standard limit on how long a patient can take HRT drugs.

Are Bioidentical Hormones Safe?

FDA-approved bioidentical hormones have been tested for safety and meet the FDA’s strict standards. These medications are safe for people to use. However, with any hormone treatment, there are risks involved. Speak to your doctor about the pros and cons of bioidentical hormones to find out if this therapy is right for you.

HRT Therapy in Columbus, Ohio

Bioidentical hormones can help manage uncomfortable symptoms of menopause or other hormonal imbalances. Talk to your healthcare provider about your symptoms and health risks. You don’t have to live with the unpleasant symptoms of low hormones. At Complete Healthcare, we’re dedicated to safely managing your symptoms. If you’re experiencing unpleasant symptoms of menopause and are interested in learning more about HRT in Columbus, contact us to schedule an HRT consultation. We look forward to meeting you.