These key chemical messengers shape women’s bodies, help to organize our brains, and contribute to our instincts. When hormone levels drop and perimenopause or menopause starts, you may experience significant changes that impact your body and your mind.
For women, hormone levels begin to decline as early as age 35. This initial decline is the beginning of what is called “perimenopause”, meaning the time leading up to menopause. Perimenopause can continue for many years before the menstrual cycle finally stops, leading to menopause and the end of the child-bearing years. Many of the symptoms associated with perimenopause and early menopause are the result of hormonal fluctuation rather than a direct response to hormonal decline. This fluctuation happens because, as estrogen and progesterone levels decrease, feedback mechanisms in your brain prompt your body to try to make more hormones in an attempt to re-establish equilibrium. The resulting ups and downs help to explain why symptoms can vary from person to person and change so drastically throughout the years.
| METHOD | ADMINISTATION | PROS | CONS |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Transdermal
Patches |
Adhered to the skin of the inner arm, abdomen, or buttock and changed at periodic intervals. |
Easy to apply. Delivers a premeasured and consistent dose. Lower danger of blood clots than oral HRT. |
Adhesive may peel off before dose is delivered. May be visible. May cause skin irritation. |
|
Topical Gels,
Creams & Sprays |
Applied to the skin on the inner arm, thigh, or inner labial fold |
Easy to apply. Lower danger of blood clots than oral HRT. Bypasses the liver and digestive system. |
Must be applied daily. Dose is not premeasured. May rub or wash off. May transfer to others. May cause skin irritation |
|
Vaginal Creams,
Rings &
Suppositories |
Action is on the local tissue and does not adsorb systemically. Very effective for vaginal symptoms. Ring lasts for 3 months. Lower danger of blood clots. |
Some require daily application. May not address all symptoms. |
Some require daily application. May not address all symptoms. |
|
Oral Pills |
Swallow daily. |
Familiar form of administration |
Must be taken daily. May impact liver function. Synthetic Estrogen taken orally associated with increased risk of blood clots. |
|
Pellets |
Steady dosing with biological fluctuations. Lasts 3-6 months. No daily compliance required. |
Must be taken daily. May impact liver function. Synthetic Estrogen taken orally associated with increased risk of blood clots. |
Requires minor in-office procedure 2-4 times a year Small risk of infection, scarring, or extrusion. Pellets cannot be removed once placed. |
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Please let us know how we can help you!
To get started with our practice we recommend either scheduling a complimentary 15-minute one-on-one discovery call or attending one of our virtual discovery events. During your consultation we will listen to your concerns and give you an overview of our practice philosophy and provide you with education about balancing your hormones. If you feel our practice is the right fit for you, we will send an order for lab work to the lab of your choice and schedule your first in-office visit. During your first in-office visit, we will review your lab results, give our recommendations, and discuss your options for hormone replacement therapy.
We are dedicated to providing you with an individualized plan of care that we are both comfortable with. We will never push you into a decision that you are not ready to make. Our goal is to help you get well and stay well! It is our hope that we can walk along side you during your hormone health journey!
