If you have these symptoms you may be:
1. Perimenopausal: Defined as the time leading up to
menopause. Your body stops making as much estrogen and progesterone
which can result in the symptoms of menopause. Some women experience
this in their mid to late thirties, but there is no magic age. You can
still get pregnant during this stage.
2. Menopausal: This typically occurs between the ages
of 45 and 55 and is defined as the time when your body skips 12 or more
consecutive monthly periods. Your body makes extremely low levels of
estrogen and progesterone and stops menstruating permanently. The
average age of menopause is 51.
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What is hormone
replacement therapy?
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) involves replacing
levels of estrogen and progesterone to relieve the symptoms of
perimenopausal and menopausal women. HRT also helps prevent
osteoporosis. Although HRT is an effective treatment for menopause
symptoms including hot flashes, insomnia, and vaginal dryness, as with
many treatment regimens, there are side effects and potential risks.
Only you and your physician can determine the best course of treatment
for you.
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What are
bioidentical hormones?
Bioidentical hormones are a natural alternative to
synthetic hormones. Based on your physician's recommendation, we can
customize plant-derived hormones to address your unique needs.
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Why would I use
bioidentical hormones instead of synthetic hormones?
You may find that synthetic hormones are not meeting
your needs because they are only available in a certain form or dosage.
Your compounding pharmacist can customize the hormones by changing the
form in which they are administered (including gels, capsules,
troches--lozenges, creams, or sublingual drops) or by changing the
dosage of the bioidentical hormones.
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Do I need a
prescription for bioidentical hormones?
Yes, you will need to obtain a prescription from your
physician before beginning any type of hormone replacement
therapy.
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What should I tell
my physician if I am experiencing the symptoms of menopause?
Although menopause is a common occurrence for women,
it can be more difficult for some women than it is for others. Talk to
your doctor to confirm that the symptoms you are experiencing are
associated with menopause and not some other condition. You should
probably keep a journal of your symptoms, noting what factors aggravate
your symptoms and what symptoms are causing you the most difficulty.
You can then share your journal with your physician so he or she will be
better prepared to prescribe treament for you. Your physician may also
recommend behavioral or environmental changes you can make to lessen
some symptoms.
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Where can I get more
information on BHRT?
Visit our links page for articles and resources on
BHRT and for general menopause information.
