In order to be healthy, one needs to be hormonally balanced, but as people begin to age, hormone production diminishes. Women entering the menopause phase begin to experience hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, weight gain and low libido as a result of the hormonal imbalance because the ovaries stop producing estrogen and progesterone.In addition to the uncomfortable symptoms, the decrease in hormonal levels can cause osteoporosis as estrogen influences the way the body uses calcium.
Many women choose to do Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) to deal with the uncomfortable symptoms but there are other benefits to HRT, including lowered risks of diabetes and colon cancer.
But HRT is a complicated topic and it’s not a one-size-fits-all kind of treatment. HRT should be Bio-Identical as this provides those suffering from PMS, Peri and Post Menopause symptoms a more natural alternative to synthetic hormones such as premarin and progestin. In addition, doctors may prescribe an estrogen-only therapy to their patients or a combination of estrogen and progesterone or progestin.
The use of progesterone in addition to estrogen has been subject to debate and research. Women on hormone therapy are typically prescribed a combination of estrogen and progesterone but those who do not have a uterus are placed on estrogen-only therapy. The reason for this is that the progesterone protects against the risk of endometrial cancer (which originates in the uterus) that is presented by the use of estrogen alone. But studies have shown that regardless of whether a woman has a uterus or not, HRT should include progesterone as well.
A recent article published in Anti-Aging Medical News, the official magazine of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, points out that adequate levels of progesterone are associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer, endometrial cancer, heart disease, ovarian cancer and osteoporosis. In addition, progesterone has been found to promote the viability of neurons in the brain and spinal cord.
The article concludes that even though all types of hormone replacement treatments are safe and effective, there is added benefit in using progesterone regardless of whether a woman has a uterus or not. With the increased popularity of hormone replacement services, your primary care doctor’s office might not be the best place to help you decide if this treatment is right for you. It is important to work with a qualified professional to ensure safety and efficacy. The study of hormones is complicated and requires extensive training because altering hormones will trigger reactions in the body and also change other hormones. But if done correctly, it can improve quality of life.
As a functional medicine practice, Bellissimo Medical specializes in bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. Our team of medical experts design individualized programs specifically for each patient. Bio-identical hormones, also known as natural hormones, are substances that have the same chemical structure as the hormones that are produced by the human body. They can be administered in the form of creams, pills, and or pellets.
Call us today and schedule your free consultation at 954.384.8989. Dr. Jean-Claude Nerette is Board Certified in both Internal Medicine and Functional Medicine and Stephanie Muniz Nerette is a Board Certified Nurse Practitioner and a Diplomate to the Board of Anti-Aging Medicine. Bellissimo Medical is located at 2665 Executive Park Drive, Suite #3, in Weston.
www.BellissimoMedical.com
www.BellissimoMedical.com
