Bio-identical Hormone Pellet Therapy for Women

If you suspect you are in menopause, it is an ideal time to see a physician trained in bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) for a complete medical assessment and evaluation of your symptoms. Some clinicians recommend saliva testing to measure hormone levels but saliva levels are not all the testing you need and should not be used as the only way to evaluate or treat menopausal symptoms. Blood sampling is the most accurate method for measuring hormone levels, including pituitary hormones, along with evaluation of symptoms to determine if you will benefit from BHRT. Saliva testing is good to monitor topical hormone levels. Urine testing is good to evaluate hormone metabolites.

Testosterone production begins to decrease in women during their early 30’s and continues into menopause when hormone (estrogen and testosterone) production stops. A woman at age 40 has half of the total testosterone of a 21-year old. Following your initial treatment, your hormone levels are restored to their proper levels. The results for both men and women include: increased energy, enhanced sexual libido, improved mental clarity, reduced body fat, decreased anxiety, and an increased sense of well being.

Estrogen Pellet Therapy

The North American Menopause Society defines menopause as “a normal, natural event associated with decreased ovarian function, resulting in lower levels of ovarian hormones.” Other terms like premenopausal, peri- and postmenopausal describe various time periods that take place before, after and around this hormonal event. We know these lower hormone levels are mainly due to estrogen, but can also be caused by decreasing levels of progesterone and testosterone. Decreased levels of estrogen can produce the more well-known symptoms such as hot flashes which may cause redness or flushing of the face and neck, sweating and a rapid heart rate.

Not all menopausal symptoms are due to estrogen alone. Lower levels of testosterone may also cause sleep disturbances and other symptoms including decreased libido or sex drive, mood swings, mental confusion, a feeling of hopelessness and depression. Physical changes may include decreased muscle mass, osteoporosis or weakening of the bones and weight gain. Left untreated, hormone deficiencies may lead to more serious conditions such as: heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and breast cancer.

Most experts agree that hormone therapy (estrogen) is the most effective treatment for things like hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Numerous published studies also support BHRT (estrogen and testosterone) therapy for the treatment of all phases of menopause. BHRT will not only treat your symptoms of menopause, but can also reverse and prevent future damage to your body due to hormonal loss.

Testosterone Pellet Therapy

Testosterone is not just for men!!!

Many women don’t even realize their bodies make and need testosterone to function properly. The amount of testosterone women have is small compared to men, but testosterone has over 3,000 functions in the female body. Testosterone production in women begins to decrease during their early 30’s and continues into menopause when estrogen and testosterone production stops. A woman at age 40 has half of the total testosterone of a 21-year old.

Symptoms of low testosterone include sadness, depression, anxiety and irritability, insomnia, decreased sex drive and difficulty staying in shape. These symptoms can occur before menopause and before a woman’s periods actually stop. Don’t worry! This is probably not early menopause but can be caused by low testosterone levels.

By not having bio-identical hormone replacement therapy, the deficiency of testosterone can lead to muscle atrophy, osteopenia, osteoporosis and pain in the muscles and joints.

Bio-identical Hormone Pellet Therapy – The Right Choice

Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy is exactly what it sounds like. It is using hormones that are identical to the hormones naturally made by your body. Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) has transformed the healthcare of men and women as they enter the second half of their lives. It provides an alternative to hormones that are synthetic, like injectable testosterone, or concentrated from horse urine (Premarin). Patients taking BHRT, usually prepared by compounding pharmacists, can be given dosages tailored to their individual needs, instead of the narrow choices available with mass-produced hormone therapies (one size fits all).

The interest in a more natural approach to hormone therapy has focused attention on bio-identical hormones — hormones that are identical in molecular structure to the hormones men and women make in their bodies. They are not found in this form in nature but are derived and made from plant compounds extracted from yams and soy. Bio-identical hormone therapy is often called “natural hormone therapy” because bio-identical hormones act just like the hormones produced by your body.

On a blood test, your total estradiol or testosterone not only measures the bio-identical estrogen or testosterone you’ve taken but also the amount of those hormones your body makes. On the other hand, Premarin, the old standby estrogen used for decades, is metabolized into various forms of estrogen that are dangerous and are not measured by standard laboratory tests. Proponents of bio-identical hormones say that one important advantage of bio-identical therapy is that hormone levels can be monitored more precisely and treatment individualized accordingly.

Give us a call to schedule an appointment. Dr. Trussell is ready to discuss bioidentical hormone pellet therapy with you and help you feel like yourself again!.

501-228-6237