Women's Health and Medicine
Menopause Treatment Center and Anti-Aging Medicine for Women
Bio-Identical Hormones can help keep you feeling young and looking young. Ask about HGH Therapy for Women and the Role HCG Hormone Injections play in BHRT.
What
is menopause?
Menopause is a normal change in a woman's life when her period
stops. That's why some people call menopause "the change
of life" or "the change." During menopause a
woman's body slowly produces less of the hormones estrogen and
progesterone. This often happens between the ages of 45 and
55 years old. A woman has reached menopause when she has not
had a period for 12 months in a row.
Many Endocrinologists, Age Management Physicians and Bio-Identical Hormone Specialists will prescribe natural or bio-identical hormones to treat the symptoms caused by menopause and age-related hormonal imbalance.
The natural or bio-identical form of hormone replacement is considered healthier and more effective that animal derived hormone therapies.
What are the main types of hormone replacement for treating menopause?
The main bio-identical replacement therapy programs for women are estrogen replacement, progesterone replacement, thyroid therapy, human growth hormone therapy, DHEA and oxytocin replacement, bio-identical testosterone replacement.
Read more about treating menopausal symptoms and about BHRT for women in detail below.
What
is hormone therapy for menopause?
Hormone therapy for menopause has also been called hormone replacement
therapy (HRT). Lower hormone levels
in menopause may lead to hot flashes, mood swings, vaginal dryness, rapid weight gain, extreme fatigue, dry skin and hair, sleep and memory problems, and thin
bones (Osteoporosis). To help with these problems, women are often given estrogen
or estrogen with progestin (another hormone). They may also be prescribed thyroid, oxytocin, DHEA and a small amount of testosterone to help increase desire and sexual function.
Like all medicines, hormone therapy has risks and benefits. However the bio-identical treatment options have many potential health benefits.
To learn more about BHRT, contact our Hormone Treatment Center at 866-342-5444 to consult with an experienced endocrine specialists, and learn more about hormones and the role they play in menopause and the aging process.
What
are the early symptoms of menopause?
Every woman's period will stop at menopause. Some women may
not have any other symptoms at all. As you near menopause, you
may have:
- Changes
in your period--time between periods or flow may be different.
- Hot
flashes ("hot flushes")--getting warm in the face,
neck and chest.
- Night
sweats and trouble sleeping that lead to feeling tired, stressed
or tense.
- Vaginal
changes: vagina may become dry and thin, and sex may be painful.
- Thinning
of your bones, which may lead to loss of height and bone breaks
(osteoporosis).
Menopause
Symptoms |
• Irregular menstrual cycle
• Hot flashes
• Emotional changes
• Low sexual interest
• Sleep disturbances
• Excessive weight gain
• Insomnia and nigh sweats
• Irregular heartbeat and anxiety
|
• Extreme fatigue
• Generalized itching
• Joint and muscle pain
• Headaches, feeling faint
• Low concentration and focus
• Memory loss and fogginess
• Vaginal changes and dryness
• Urinary changes and frequency |
Who
needs treatment for symptoms of menopause?
For some women, many of these changes will go away over time
without treatment. Some women will choose treatment for their
symptoms and to prevent bone loss. If you choose treatment,
estrogen alone or estrogen with progestin (for a woman who still
has her uterus or womb) may be used.
What
are the benefits from using hormones for menopause?
Hormone therapy is the most effective FDA approved medicine
for relief of your hot flashes, night sweats or vaginal dryness.
Hormones
may reduce your chances of getting thin, weak bones (osteoporosis),
which break easily.
What
are the risks of using hormones?
For some women, hormone therapy may increase their chances of
getting blood clots, heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer,
and gall bladder disease. For a woman with a uterus, estrogen
increases her chance of getting endometrial cancer (cancer of
the uterine lining). Adding progestin lowers this risk. The key to successful hormone therapy is to achieve an optimal balance.
Should
hormone therapy be used to protect the heart or prevent strokes?
Hormone therapy is not prescribed to prevent heart attacks or strokes. Doctors prescribe HRT to balance and replace lost hormones.
Should
hormone therapy be used to prevent memory loss or Alzheimer's
disease?
Do not use hormone therapy to prevent memory loss or Alzheimer's
disease.
Do
hormones protect against aging, dry skin and wrinkles?
Studies have shown that hormone therapy especially HGH, testosterone, estrogen and progesterone when properly balanced can alleviate menopausal symptoms,
prevent premature aging and help reduce skin dryness and excessive wrinkles when dryness is due to hormonal deficiency.
How
long should I use hormones for menopause?
You should talk to your doctor to see if hormone therapy is right for you. Again,
hormones should be used at the lowest dose that helps alleviate symptoms and for
the shortest time that you need them.
Does
it make a difference what form of hormones I use for menopause?
The potential risks and benefits exist for all hormone products used in the treatment of
menopause, such as pills, patches, vaginal creams, injections, gels
and rings. Always discuss in detail the potential benefits versus the side effects of any hormone treatment before starting an HRT program or taking any prescription medication.
Read more about Hormones for Women -
Hormones for Women
Are
herbs and other "natural" products useful in treating
symptoms of menopause?
Some natural herbs and anti-aging supplements have shown to help alleviate symptoms.
However, you should discuss any particular "natural"
products with your physician to verify which are helpful or safe.
Who
should not take hormone therapy for menopause?
Women who...
•
Think they are pregnant
• Have problems with vaginal bleeding
• Have had certain kinds of cancers
• Have had a stroke or heart attack in the past year
• Have had blood clots
• Have liver disease
Natural HRT is used by naturopathic and age management medicine physicians to treat hormone imbalance due to menopause and andropause, the male menopause and imbalance in adult men and women.
As you age, your hormones naturally decline causing signs and symptoms of premature aging. Many patients who use bio-identical hormones like HGH, testosterone, estrogen and progesterone in a physician supervised HRT program report improvement in vitality, energy, libido, body composition and mood.
Advance Therapy is the leading Hormone Therapy Physician Center with specialists trained in Age Management, Integrative, Regenerative and Naturopathic Medicine. With over 20,000 patients served nationwide, we can provide the best medical support service and pricing for Anti-Aging Therapy, Testosterone, HGH, sexual health, menopause and andropause treatments. Contact us at 866-342-5444 or fill out the Hormone Therapy Info Form for more HRT info.
Hormone Deficiency symptoms and age related health conditions include excessive weight gain, loss of sex drive, muscle loss and weakness, fatigue, insomnia, hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, dry skin and hair, bone loss, muscle aches, joint pain, sadness, social withdrawal and depression.
With Natural Hormone Replacement and naturopathic treatments using natural anti-aging supplements, healthy diet, exercise, weight and stress management, bio-identical hormones like Human Growth Hormone, Testosterone, HCG, DHEA, Progesterone, Thyroid and others, age management physicians can restore lost or low hormone levels and alleviate symptoms.
A simple hormone blood test is usually all that is required in order to determine if you have a hormonal imbalance, an HGH deficiency or low testosterone.
If you think you may have a hormonal imbalance, contact us at Advance Therapy to schedule a Hormone Level Lab Test - Get Hormone Testing Info
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Summary of Menopause Treatment Options
Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)
Hormone replacement therapy is widely recommended by the physicians for menopausal symptoms as well as in the prevention of osteoporosis and heart disease.
Botanical Alternative Treatments
Anti-Aging supplements, herbs and botanicals like black cohosh, flaxseed, evening primrose oil help to relieve menopausal symptoms.
Black cohosh, also known as black snakeroot or bugbane, is a medicinal root. It is used to treat women's hormone-related symptoms, including premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menstrual cramps, and menopausal symptoms.
Wild Yam and Progesterone Creams are available without a prescription and are used to help alleviate perimenopausal symptoms caused by estrogen dominance.
Soy is also used for treating menopause symptoms because Soy is high in isoflavones which are a type of phytoestrogen.
Phytoestrogens are chemicals found in plants that work like estrogens in the body.
Male
Hormones (Androgens) and Female Sexuality
A Look at Hormones, Aging and Sexual Health Pharmacology
Female sexuality
is much more complicated than male sexuality with multiple factors
concerning desire, including such disparate items as physiology, past sexual experiences, sexual expectations, cultural
and religious beliefs, availability of a partner and of course,
the individual’s hormonal status. Access and knowledge of alternative treatment options are also dictated by these factors.
Many hormones
may influence female sexuality, including estrogens (female
hormones), oxytocin, progesterone, androgens like testosterone and all their metabolites.
Testosterone is the hormone of desire in both sexes and a deficiency impacts libido in both men and women.
Estrogen deficiency is most commonly seen in the peri-menopausal
and postmenopausal women and include vasomotor symptoms including
hot flashes, night sweets, urogenital atrophy and often a diminution
in sexual desire. Men are likewise directly impacted by both testosterone and estrogen levels present in the bloodstream.
In men, the free testosterone levels are key to ensure healthy sexual function and too much estrogen causes adverse side effects.
Women experiencing hormonal imbalance have been successfully using natural or bio-identical hormone replacement therapy.
During menopause there is frequently a decrease in a feeling of well being, atrophy
of the vagina, anxiety, emotional instability, depression, decline
in short term memory and concentration, myalgia, arthralgia,
an aversion to be touched and in general these also can lead
to a decrease in sexual desire. Estrogen replacement will alleviate
most of these vasomotor symptoms, including vaginal atrophy,
but desire and restoration of female libido may not always occur
in the estrogen treated peri-menopausal and postmenopausal women.
This has
lead to the theory that in postmenopausal women where desire
is not elevated by estrogen replacement there may be an androgen
deficiency. On the other hand, if we are to treat women with
androgens in a safe and effective manner, doctors must weigh
The ability
of laboratory techniques to define hypoandrogenism in women
is hampered by the inability of the laboratory test themselves
to measure testosterone levels of the lower end of the normal
female reproductive range.
On the other hand, there is an entity in postmenopausal women
treated adequately with estrogen therapy that not only includes
low sexual libidos but decrease sexual motivation, fatigue,
lack of well being and probability low levels of bioavailable
free testosterone.
Before a
doctor treats women with androgen replacement therapy adequate
estrogen therapy must be instituted and consideration for mental
health counseling or referral to a sex therapist should be made.
This androgen deficiency syndrome, however, is accepted for
women who have had bilateral ovariectomy or in younger women
who have suffered primary or secondary ovarian failure associated
with low libido and low blood androgen levels.
>What causes
low levels of male hormones in women. The ovaries produce androstenedione,
testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). The adrenals
produce androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S).
The DHEA-S can be further metabolized to testosterone or estrogens.
In addition the testosterone through the enzyme of 5-alpha reductants
converts the serum testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
or estradiol (E2) these are the active hormones that work within
the cells.
Age in general
leads to a drop in androgen levels in women and is due to the
age-related drop in adrenal production of androgen and the loss
of the mid-cycle surge in ovarian testosterone. Removal of the
ovaries results in a reduction of 50 percent in testosterone
and androstenedione. Chemical oophorectomy including chemotherapy,
use of GNRH hormone inhibitors, radiation therapy, glucocorticoids
and the administration of exogenous estrogens are other causes
for diminution in androgens. Oral postmenopausal estrogen therapy
and oral contraceptives will suppress free testosterone by increasing
serum hormone binding globulins (SHBG) and suppressing pituitary
luteinizing hormone (LH).
Steroids
by mouth suppress pituitary secretions of adrenal corticotropic
hormone and therefore adrenal androgen production as well. This
probably explains the bone loss frequency in patients who are
taking long-term steroids. Lastly, hypothalamic amenorrhea and
hypoproaccelerinemia are usually associated with low testosterone
and many women with premature ovarian failure have low testosterone
levels. Therefore, the use of oral contraceptives in older women
or women with amenorrhea or premature ovarian failure may actually
worsen their androgen deficiency.
How testosterone
therapy affects female sexuality is a clinically known factor. The male hormones work
directly on androgen receptors and a precursor for additional
estrogen production in tissue such as fat, bone, brain, blood
vessels or possibly by lowering serum hormone binding globulins
(SHBG) and therefore causing an increase in the levels of bioactive
steroids such as androgen.
There is
no doubt that the administration of testosterone to older women
with sexual desire problems improves the intensity of sexual
desire, arousal, frequency of sexual fantasies, satisfaction,
pleasure and relevancy and importance of sex to daily life.
And therefore, postmenopausal women who are probably treated
with estrogen therapy should be offered androgen replacement
to improve this symptom complex.
A more difficult
question deals with the pre-menopausal women who complains of
decreased sexual drive and libido and who have low bioavailable
testosterone. Proper hormonal ratios appear to play a role in desire and where the
psychosocial and sexual history indicates hormonal problem as
being the basic ideology of their libido decrease.
The administration
of testosterone has been formulated and fairly much determined
for men but androgen replacement therapy in women now has similar
guidelines and is now offered by age management physicians, naturopaths and anti-aging doctors.
for the use of androgens in women. Oral methylated testosterone
is available in the United States but oral testosterone should be carefully evaluated to protect the liver.
It is usually administered
in combination with esterified estrogens (E.E.) 1.25 milligrams
of methyltestosterone with 0.625 milligrams of E.E. or 2.5 milligrams
of methyltestosterone with 1.25 milligrams of E.E. Patients
obviously have to be warned about androgen side affects including
increase in high density lipoproteins, cholesterol and low density
lipoproteins, adverse liver affects including chemical hepatitis
and possibly a higher incidence of liver cancer. More commonly,
however, too much testosterone will lead to masculinizing tendencies
which should be monitored by the patient and her physician should
be informed if such occurs.
Oral testosterone
undecenoate has not been studied in women and doses as low as
20 milligrams appear to cause undesirable side effects and therefore
is not recommended at this time.
Subcutaneous
implants of hormone pellets including estrogen and testosterone are available in the United States
at this time, and have found to be quite effective for up to
six months. Doses of 50 to 100 milligrams appeared to affectively
raise the levels of estrogen and testosterone for up to six months to adequate
levels to treat sexual desire problems. In the United States
compounding pharmacists are able to manufacture a subcutaneous
testosterone pellet which could easily be implanted by your
physician.
Injectable
depo-testosterone in the form of testosterone esters appears
to be the safest and most commonly tried form of androgen replacement
for men and women in the United States. The most common administration
is 50 to 100 milligrams administered every four to six weeks
intramuscular. However, many physicians use 20 milligrams every
three weeks. For women masculinization with increased acne and occasional
clitoral myoglia may occur with too high a dose of this therapy.
Transdermal testosterone patches have been manufactured and approved
for use by men and newer technology is developing androgen replacement
patches for women. Patches that increase testosterone levels
greater than 25 nanograms per DL for women appear to produce significant
masculinization and side affects that they should not be used.
Transdermotesosterone
as a cream or a gel or testosterone using a transvaginal testosterone
impregnated cream is available in the United States by specific
prescriptions or through compounding pharmacists.
Contraindications
to testosterone treatment include: acne, hirsutism, alopecia,
and circumstances in which enhancing libido would be undesirable.
Absolute contraindications include pregnancy and lactation as
well as known or suspected androgen dependent neoplasia. Side
effects from excessive testosterone include virilization, fluid
retention and an adverse lipoprotein profile which more likely
occur with the oral administration of the drug. Afenteral administration
raising levels of testosterone to within physiologic ranges
does not appear to have any undesirable metabolic effects. It
is not known whether additional androgen will affect breast
cancer since more than 50 percent of breast cancers have androgen
receptors and these are associated with a longer survival in
women.
In conclusion,
androgen deficiency in women causing various symptoms including
poor sexual desire is an entity that exists both in the menopausal
and probably pre-menopausal female. In the peri or postmenopausal
female the patient should be adequately treated with estrogen
therapy before using androgen replacement. And the pre-menopausal
woman who appears to have low bioactive levels of testosterone,
androgen replacement should be used with closer monitoring.
Most signs and symptoms of aging coincide with hormone loss or imbalance, especially HGH, Testosterone, Estrogen, Progesterone, DHEA and Melatonin. A simple blood test can tell you if you are hormone deficient.
Read more about HGH below and fill out the Quick Hormone Info Form for a Free Health Consultation to find out more about Human Growth Hormone and other hormone therapies like Testosterone and HCG.
Human Growth Hormone is the largest protein produced by the
pituitary gland made up of 191 amino acids. Proteins are made
of building blocks known as amino acids. HGH is genetically
engineered of the same 191 amino acids. It’s the same
genetic engineering they use for insulin. They cloned the 191
amino acids and put them together in the same exact sequence
of the DNA for that of HGH. It’s 100% identical, physically,
chemically and biologically to the one made by the pituitary
gland.
'Bio-Identical Hormone Therapies can help improve your quality of life, appearance, mood and lifespan.'
|
• Improve Appearance
• Build Muscle Definition
• Increased Energy
• Boost Endurance
• Improve Skin Tone
• Reduce Body Fat
• Cholesterol Levels
|
• Increase Sex Drive
• Lower Blood Pressure
• Diminish Facial Wrinkles
• Eliminate Cellulite
• Improve Kidney Function
• Increase Bone Density
• Reduce Stress Levels |
Natural
Hormone Treatment Products Approved for Use in the United States* |
Product |
Manufacturer |
Indication
(use) |
Genotropin HGH Therapy
MiniQuick / GoQuick Therapy
Omnitrope HGH Therapy
Nutropin HGH Therapy
Nutropin AQ HGH Therapy
Nutropin Depot HGH Therapy
Protophin HGH Therapy
Humatrope HGH Therapy
Norditropin HGH Therapy
Saizen HGH Therapy
Serostim HGH Therapy
Zorbtive HGH Therapy
Tev-Tropin HGH Therapy
Depo-Testosterone (Cypionate)
Delatestryl (Enanthate)
Sustanon (Propionate Steroid Mix)
Xtra-Cell Anti-Aging Therapies
|
Pfizer
Pfizer
Sandoz
Genentech
Genentech
Genentech
ProBioMed
Eli Lilly
Novo Nordisk
Merck Serono
EMD Serono
EMD Serono
TEVA
Pfizer
Endo Pharma Organon Xtra-Cell Pharma |
Somatropin for Pediatric
GHD, CRI, TS, Adult GHD, pubertal dosing
Somatropin for Pediatric GHD, CRI, TS, Adult GHD, pubertal dosing
Somatropin for Pediatric GHD, CRI, TS, Adult GHD, pubertal dosing
Somatropin for Pediatric GHD, Adult GHD
Somatropin for Pediatric GHD, Adult GHD
Somatropin for Pediatric GHD, TS, Adult GHD
Somatropin for Pediatric GHD, Adult GHD
Somatropin for Pediatric GHD, PWS, SGA, Adult GHD
Somatropin for Pediatric GHD, Adult GHD
Somatropin for Pediatric GHD, Adult GHD
Somatropin for AIDS-related wasting, Adult GHD
Somatropin for AIDS-related wasting, Adult GHD
Somatropin for Pediatric GHD, PWS, SGA, Adult GHD
Hypogonadism, Erectile Dysfunction
Hypogonadism, Erectile Dysfunction
Hypogonadism, Erectile Dysfunction
Anti-Aging, Rejuvenation, Vitamin Deficiency |
*AIDS
= acquired immunodeficiency syndrome;
CRI = chronic renal insufficiency;
GHD = growth hormone deficiency;
PWS = Prader-Willi syndrome; SGA = small for gestational
age; TS = Turner syndrome. |
|