Hormone Balancing for Women

Hormones play a critical role in women’s lives.

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.

The most commonly reported signs and symptoms
of perimenopause and menopause include:

This list is by no means exhaustive, and you may experience different symptoms at different times. It is important for you to know that there is no reason to believe that these symptoms are normal or for you to suffer in silence. We can help!

Options for bioidentical hormone replacement therapy for Perimenopause and Menopause

Menopause and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy have become specialized fields of medicine, opening up new opportunities to find relief from symptoms. A hormone specialist will have a deep understanding of the physiological processes you are experiencing and the profound impact they can have on your life. They also have the expertise necessary to help you find relief.

The unpredictable nature of perimenopause and menopause means that there is no standard treatment protocol. Your hormone levels, genetics, general health, and lifestyle all affect the way that you experience these changes. Because of this, it is critical that your hormone specialist performs thorough hormone testing in addition to taking an in-depth look at your medical history and current symptoms.

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is widely regarded as the most effective treatment for perimenopause and menopausal symptoms because if directly compensates for normal hormonal decline. Typically, this involves using a combination of estrogen and progesterone to restore healthy hormone levels. In some cases, testosterone may also be beneficial.

There are a wide variety of administration methods for bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. This is one of the thigs we will discuss during your consultation so that we are best able to meet your unique needs and treatment goals.
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.

Contact Us

Please let us know how we can help you!

Get Started

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!