It’s not always obvious. It can start with a sleepless night or unprovoked irritability. Gradually though, these signs can continue and eventually spell menopause. It happens to everyone eventually, but can be tough when it happens to you. You’re dealing with a lot right now. But the good news is that there is relief available in the form of hormone replacement therapy.
Here at Turner Medical Arts, we specialized in women’s healthcare. Through the combined experiences of our doctors, we have found that hormone replacement therapy is one of the best ways to address menopause symptoms. The question is, which symptoms signal the need for this treatment? We’ve outlined the answer below. If you need more info, we’re happy to chat during a consultation at our Santa Barbara clinic.
How and When Does Menopause Start?
Menopause starts naturally as women get older. The average age of onset is 51, but symptoms can begin sooner or later depending on your genetics and lifestyle. In all cases, the first thing you might notice is an irregular menstrual cycle.
It takes about four years for your cycle to stop completely once it’s off schedule. After that, you’re likely to experience a range of symptoms. These include:
- Mood swings
- Hot flashes
- Low libido
- A racing heart rate
- Headaches
- Sweating
- Vaginal dryness and soreness
- Painful sex
- Trouble sleeping
Once these symptoms begin, it can be tough to feel comfortable again. Along with feeling irritable, you may also feel frustrated due to a lack of sleep. Having problems in the bedroom could also take a toll on personal relationships. However, all of these symptoms can be addressed with pellet therapy.
How Does Hormone Replacement Therapy Work?
Hormone replacement therapy rebalances estrogen and progesterone levels in the body. At Turner Medical Arts, we use Pellet Therapy specifically. This gives you a choice of a wide variety of either FDA–approved or pharmacy–compounded bioidentical hormones. These hormones are created from plant-derived sources such as soy or yams. Their natural quality makes them easy to integrate into the body, promising maximum benefits.
When you come in for a visit, we’ll work with you to see if hormone replacement therapy is the right choice. If so, we can perform the procedure right away. The process is simple and takes only five minutes. The pellets are typically inserted into the buttock using a trocar. After numbing the area and making a small incision, the trocar is inserted and the pellets are pushed under the skin. The pellets dissolve over the course of three months and should provide relief from most, if not all, symptoms.
Are There Risks to Having Hormone Replacement Therapy?
There are some risks to having this treatment done. HRT can increase the risk of blood clots, stroke, and breast cancer. It may also make breast cancer harder to detect by making your breasts appear denser in mammograms. These risks are greater for those over 60.
However, a large body of research shows that hormone therapy helps with hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and bone loss. Sleeping better and being more comfortable can greatly improve your overall quality of life. Also, less bone loss over time means a lower risk for osteoporosis and fractures as well.
I Still Have Questions, Where Can I Get More Info?
If you’re interested in hormone replacement therapy, we’re here to help! Get in touch for a consultation and see if this treatment is right for you today. To get started, give us a call at (805) 962-1957 or fill out the form below.
