Hormone Replacement Therapy for Women
If you’re a woman approaching midlife and not feeling your best, or you feel like there’s no relief in sight, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) could be a recommended component of your medically-supervised plan of care. At PROVOKE Health., HRT involves the supplementation of one or more bio-identical hormones, Estrogen, Progesterone, or Testosterone to restore healthy hormone levels and balance, all under the watchful eye of our doctors and healthcare team members.
When to Consider Hormone Replacement Therapy
If you or your doctor suspect hormone imbalances, here are some signs to consider:
Common Symptoms of Hormone Imbalance in Women
- Anxiety
- Brain fog (reduced mental clarity/focus)
- Dry skin
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- Hot flashes
- Loss of libido (sex drive)
- Mood swings
- Restless sleep
- Sadness/depression
- Spotting between cycles, heavy bleeding, irregular cycles, painful cycles
- Tender breasts
- Vaginal dryness
- Weight gain
Benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy
When integrated into a comprehensive plan of care, Hormone Replacement Therapy may provide several health benefits, including:
- Reduced inflammation
- Increased muscle strength
- Increased energy
- Improvements in skin tone and hair texture
- Protection against osteoporosis
- Improved sleep
- Improved sexual function
- Improved body composition
- Fewer to no hot flashes
- Enhanced mood
- Easier weight management
Opting for Bioidentical Hormones
The use of synthetic hormones in the past has raised concerns about side effects. However, advancements in the availability of bioidentical hormones — which closely mimic the body’s natural hormones — have led to safer and more effective treatment.
In the past, outdated research using horse-derived hormones raised concerns and denied many women the benefits they deserved. Now, with advancements in research and science, we’ve moved beyond those misconceptions. Modern synthetic hormones are carefully formulated to be safe and effective, ensuring you can confidently embrace the positive impacts of hormone replacement therapy.
Checking Hormone Levels and Balance
It’s likely that you’re familiar with the concept behind knowing your cholesterol number and blood pressure, but what about your hormone levels? Many conventional healthcare practices overlook checking hormone levels, even as they decline.
At PROVOKE Health, we check your hormone levels! We employ various methods to assess where you are with the balance of different hormones, including estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, and DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone). We even offer complete thyroid testing. These tests can be conducted at a trusted third-party laboratory that offers the type of detailed lab results that we specialize in analyzing and making sense of. Additionally, we offer special urine tests to monitor how your body metabolizes hormones, providing even more detailed insights.
By combining lab testing with our consultative approach to understand your symptoms, we are able to create a personalized plan of care that meets your individual health-related goals and objectives.
3 Types of Bioidentical Hormone Treatment
Estrogen: The administration of supplemental estrogen has been shown to significantly impacts women’s health, from healthy bones, hair and skin to cardiovascular health and improvements in memory. Proper estrogen levels may also prevent issues like vaginal dryness and atrophy.
Progesterone: Often overlooked, progesterone may improve sleep, protect breast tissue, and support thyroid function, in addition to alleviating heavy and painful menstrual cycles.
Testosterone: Women also require testosterone, but in different quantities than men. Testosterone replacement may boost energy levels, libido, muscle mass, and bone density. Women are often surprised to learn just how important and necessary testosterone is to their health.
Delivering Bioidentical Hormones
Here at PROVOKE Health, we offer many delivery options for bioidentical hormone therapy, including:
- Capsules: Offers precise dosing adjustments and are pain-free. Typically used for progesterone replacement.
- Creams: Convenient and pain-free, they can deliver multiple hormones, including estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone.
- Injections: Ensures 100 percent absorption May require less frequent administration. (Injections can be administered in our Lutz clinic location.)
- Pellets (coming soon): Provide consistent hormone levels over an extended period. Surgically inserted under the skin, they dissolve gradually, offering relief within days to weeks.
More About Pellets
Pellets, about the size of a grain of rice, contain hormones (estradiol or testosterone) and are implanted under the skin. They provide sustained relief without the need for removal. Expect minor side effects such as bruising and swelling.
Considering Hormone Replacement Therapy
If you’re not feeling your best, we encourage you to schedule a consultation or appointment with our medical team, because we understand the crucial role hormones play in your overall health.
While fading hormone levels may be a contributing factor, we prioritize a comprehensive approach to address all potential causes of your symptoms before recommending Hormone Replacement Therapy. Our objective is to optimize your health and well-being and restore your resiliency and confidence with HRT as an important component of your handcrafted plan of care.
