Menopause is an important stage of life for most women. Unfortunately, most are mired with several symptoms that can be difficult to live with. Doctors and patients frequently choose hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to control the symptoms of menopause. However, is this traditional pharmaceutical right for you? Why not consider visiting a hormone replacement center to experience the relief bioidentical hormones can provide?
Menopause and You
For the majority of women, menopause, or cessation of menstruation, begins in the late 40s and finishes in the early 50s. Along with this life-altering change come many symptoms, some of which begin years before actual menopause.
While most women often welcome this new stage of life, others feel burdened by symptoms like:
- Vaginal dryness and atrophy
- Loss of libido
- Urinary incontinence
- Dry skin and mouth
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Mental fog
- Weight gain
- Hair loss
While significant drops in estrogen and progesterone levels explain most of these symptoms, decline in thyroid function, increased risk for heart disease, and thinning muscle and bone mass contribute to a feeling of overall decline in postmenopausal women. If this sounds like you, when and where should you seek treatment for these menopause-related hormonal imbalances?
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Many postmenopausal women seek traditional treatment through their primary care doctor or gynecologist. After a medical evaluation, these physicians frequently recommend synthetic hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to alleviate the most difficult menopausal issues.
Sadly, synthetic hormones pose many risks, such as increased risk for heart attack, breast cancer, and stroke, and frankly, these medications are prescribed only in standardized doses in pill, spray, or gel form. Locally applied vaginal creams or rings feature lower doses of synthetic hormones. However, they also carry significant risk for cardiovascular problems. Again, the doses are standardized, not customized for the unique physiological needs of each individual woman. Fortunately, there is a better way to treat hormone imbalances.
HRT at Between the Bridges Healing Centers
At the Minnesota and South Carolina locations of Between the Bridges Healing Centers, our care team takes a different approach to menopause. Instead of simply investigating your physical changes and symptoms, we look at how menopause impacts your body, mind, and spirit. This is the hallmark of what we practice: integrative medicine.
Before, during, and after menopause, you don’t simply need medical treatment. You require the right tools to live well with your body and your life at that moment. Hormone replacement therapy may be part of your care plan to avoid disease and chronic conditions and to live your best life.
Accordingly, when you come to our hormone replacement center, you will receive a physical exam and review of your medical history. You can speak freely and confidently about how menopause impacts you. Your provider will do a blood draw to determine your hormone levels and other measures of physiology and wellness.
If hormone replacement therapy is your best option, you will be placed on a regimen of bioidentical hormones, or BHRT. These are plant-based medications which are compounded, or prepared, according to your body’s specific needs. In other words, your prescription medicine is individualized to maximize therapeutic effects and to minimize side effects. BHRT is available in several forms, including pills, gels, injections, and more.
Hormone Replacement Center In Mankato, Minnesota
Your integrative medicine specialist at Between the Bridges Healing Centers is Dr. Jeffrey Kotulski. He has worked with scores of post-menopausal patients to correct hormone imbalances, encourage fitness and proper nutrition, and move women down the path to total wellness.
We ask you to call (507) 388-7488 to arrange your personalized menopause consultation, or use our online appointment request form. We look forward going on this journey with you!
