Progesterone and estrogen significantly drop when a woman approaches and completes menopause. However, women of any age may suffer from hormone-related problems, such as irregular menses or endometriosis. As such, hormone replacement therapy may be a good choice.
Let’s talk about these important medications from your functional and integrative medicine providers in Weatherford, TX.
Why Female Hormones Are So Important?
Progesterone and estrogen are the reproductive hormones produced in the ovaries, which prepare you for pregnancy, help you carry a baby to term and give birth, and menstruate regularly during your child-bearing years.
Additionally, these natural body chemicals help regularize cholesterol and blood calcium levels, keep your mood positive, and maintain bone strength. They make a woman look feminine and fuel her libido and ability to have intercourse without discomfort.
What Happens When Hormone Levels Change?
At menopause–usually, when a woman is in her fifties–the ovaries produce far less estrogen and progesterone. Ovulation ceases, and gradually, menstruation stops, too.
However, other changes occur as well, and while these can be accommodated, for the most part, some women experience symptoms so difficult that they no longer feel functional.
These menopausal symptoms can include:
- Night sweats and hot flashes
- Sleep disturbances
- Mood swings, including depression and irritability
- Dry skin and eyes
- Vaginal thinning and dryness
- Painful sexual intercourse
- Low libido
Additionally, younger women may have hormonal fluctuations causing heavy periods, painful cramping, endometriosis (overgrowth of uterus lining), premenstrual syndrome (PMS), etc. These individuals may need HRT.
Types of Hormone Replacement Therapy for Women
At Alpha Care Wellness Center, hormone replacement therapy is highly individualized and based on a woman’s health status, age, symptoms, and personal preferences. You may need only estrogen replacement, while another woman may require combination therapy (estrogen and progesterone), while yet another may need testosterone.
Whatever the case, hormone replacement therapy may be delivered as a:
- Sustained release patch
- Suppository
- Pill
- Topical cream or foam
- Pellet
As you proceed through your care plan, your holistic physician will monitor your symptoms and reassess your hormone levels. You will take the lowest dosage required to maximize symptom reduction and avoid side effects. Also, your provider may advise natural supplements (nutraceuticals) and lifestyle changes (such as losing weight and beginning a regular fitness program) to augment your hormone replacement therapy.
Hormone Replacement Therapy for Women in Weatherford, TX
At Alpha Care Wellness Center, our board-certified functional and integrative medicine practitioner Dr. Catherine Oseni takes special interest in healing the effects that low hormone levels of women who are in their child-bearing years, who are menopausal, or who have completed that important life change.
If you wish to explore what hormone replacement therapy may do for you, please call us at (817) 550-6332 for an in-depth consultation with Dr. Oseni. Alternatively, you may request your appointment by filling out our online request form.
We know we can help you with your hormone-related symptoms.
