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Female Menopause

Atlanta Female Hormone Therapy

Bio-identical hormone optimization is designed to treat the following conditions and symptoms

Menopause – The loss of reproductive function and no period for at least 1 year. This is caused by the failure of the ovaries to develop eggs. This failure results in the catastrophic loss of the hormones estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. Menopause typically occurs in the mid 40’s to late 50’s. The common symptoms (which can occur before your period actually stops) include: Hot flashes, flushes, night sweats and/or cold flashes, clammy feeling, irritability, mood swings, sudden tears, trouble sleeping through the night, loss of libido, debilitating fatigue, anxiety,vaginal dryness, urinary incontinence, depression and weight gain in the midsection of the body.

Perimenopause – The period before menopause. Women commonly loose the hormones progesterone and testosterone before the ovaries fail. Therefore periods tend to be regular but may be heavier and more painful. Women commonly develop uterine fibroids, PMS and worsening anxiety during this time. The symptoms of perimenopause can include irregular menstrual periods, mild hot flashes, night sweats, low energy levels, low sex drive, mild vaginal dryness, insomnia, and mood swings. Perimenopause can last for many years and symptoms tend to worsen as the ovaries age.

Andropause – Andropause is the period of a man’s life, occurring usually beginning in the mid to late 40’s, when testosterone levels fall enough to cause physical symptoms of deficiency. Most men notice they have less energy, zest for life, worsening mood and libido and weight gain around the midsection. This can be hard to recognize because the symptoms occur so gradually that most men may not notice until they have a severe deficiency. The deficiency is caused by a gradual drop in the levels of testosterone secreted by a man’s testicles. Unlike menopause in women, men still maintain fertility despite the loss of testosterone. Common symptoms include those listed above plus: poor sleep, memory loss, depression, lost muscle tone and strength, and erectile dysfunction.

Hypothyroidism – Too little thyroid hormone in the body. This can result from autoimmune disease or other conditions. This is one of the most common hormone deficiencies and can occur in anyone at any age. Thyroid hormone controls metabolism speed and is necessary for our survival. Often low level deficiencies are overlooked by physicians and result in people having symptoms while being told their levels are “normal”. The symptoms of thyroid deficiency include: hair loss, weight gain, depression, sleepiness, poor memory or thinking, dry skin, loss of eyebrows, and fatigue.

Adrenal Fatigue – Adrenal Fatigue is a stress-induced condition characterized by a set of common symptoms that indicate decreased function of the adrenal glands. Chronic stress or acute short term stress can result in either the overproduction or underproduction of the stress hormone cortisol and the loss of the healing hormone DHEA. Also known as hypoadrenia, adrenal exhaustion, adrenal insufficiency, adrenal chronic fatigue, and non-addisons hypoadrenia, Adrenal Fatigue affects every organ and system in your body. Adrenal fatigue leads

Do women need testosterone?

Yes! Testosterone is important for bone health; muscle health and sex drive in women. Even thought the levels in women are only about 1/10th of those found in men, the deficiency of this hormone is noticeable to women. Women who have had their ovaries removed with or without a hysterectomy tend to have worse symptoms and lower testosterone levels.

Other functions of Testosterone:

  • include increased bone mass
  • increased muscle mass
  • increased strength
  • increased libido
  • improved quality of life
  • Prevents aches, pains and arthritis
  • Protects against cardiovascular disease
  • Protects against Alzheimer and dementia
  • Helps to stabilize blood sugar
  • Reduces breast cancer
  • Aids in the prevention of headaches/migraines

Treatment options include:

  • Commercially prepared transdermal bioidentical estradiol gels and patches (Elestrin, Estrogel, Divigel, Alora, Vivelle)
  • Custom compounded transdermal bioidentical estradiol gels
  • Custom compounded testosterone gels
  • Commercially available progesterone pills
  • Custom compounded progesterone pills
  • Long lasting (3-5 months) custom compounded bioidentical estradiol and testosterone implants

Please note that women will require treatment with estradiol, progesterone and testosterone in most cases.

You may also reach us through email for additional information.