Menopause is a natural part of life for every woman, but the symptoms that come with it can really affect how you feel and your ability to function. Dr. Angelina Postoev at IBI Plastic Surgery Med Spa helps women get through this change with as little discomfort as possible using bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) for menopause. These are plant-based hormones that are an identical match to what your body naturally makes, so there is very little risk of any adverse reactions or side effects.
What Happens During Menopause?
As a woman reaches her late 40s or early 50s, her ovaries start making less estrogen and progesterone, which causes her menstrual cycle to stop, and she begins to experience physical and emotional changes. Common symptoms of menopause include hot flashes, night sweats, and trouble sleeping. Some women feel moodier than usual or notice their memory is not as sharp, and other common issues include vaginal dryness, less interest in sex, and changes in their skin, hair, and energy levels.
Why Consider Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Hormone replacement therapy helps replenish the hormones your body is no longer producing enough of. Normally, the root cause of menopausal symptoms is an inadequate level of estrogen, and HRT that provides the essential estrogen for menopause will help restore balance and ease your symptoms.
Also, HRT can help protect bone density, which reduces the risk of developing osteoporosis and becoming more susceptible to fractures. Studies have also discovered that using HRT before menopause and keeping estrogen levels balanced can protect your heart, preserve cognitive function, and improve your metabolic health.
HRT may not be the best choice for some women with certain medical conditions, including a history of breast cancer, blood clots, stroke, or heart disease. Dr. Angelina will perform a thorough assessment of your health history and talk with you about the treatment that will be best for you and your circumstances.
HRT Before and After Menopause
Your age and the timing of your onset of menopause significantly influence whether hormone therapy is right for you. In fact, a recent press release published by the FDA revealed that information that was previously communicated to doctors and patients about HRT was incorrect, and that when timed correctly, HRT therapy can provide many benefits.
Women in Their Early 40s or Younger
Women who go through menopause before the age of 40 are in a special category because they are experiencing premature menopause, meaning this transition is occurring much earlier than normal. This can happen because of surgery, chemotherapy, or early ovarian failure (a common side effect of hysterectomy).
These women may experience low estrogen levels for decades, which raises their risk for weak bones, heart disease, and memory problems. Hormone replacement allows them to get relief from unpleasant symptoms now and protects them from a number of physical and mental health conditions in the future.
Women Under 60 Years Old or Within 10 Years of Menopause
Normally, women in their late 40s or early 50s are considered the best candidates to start hormone therapy. Research shows women in this group who start taking hormones find relief from hot flashes and night sweats, and their bones stay stronger so they can avoid fractures. The benefits of the therapy outweigh the risks, keeping their heart and cognitive function in good condition, and they typically have fewer health risks than women who start HRT when they are older.
If you are in this age range and experiencing symptoms that are negatively influencing your quality of life, hormone therapy may be a good solution for you. Using lower doses through patches or gels is often a good place to start.
Women Over Age 60 or More Than 10 Years Past Menopause
Things are a bit different for women who have already gone through menopause, and starting estrogen treatments more than ten years after your periods completely stop can increase certain risks, including heart problems.
This does not mean that women over 60 can never benefit from using estrogen, and if you are already undergoing hormone therapy and doing well, you do not necessarily have to stop just because you hit a certain age. Dr. Angelina will monitor your progress regularly to ensure that HRT is working as it should and that it is safe and still makes sense for you and your circumstances.
Bioidentical Hormones for Menopause vs. Synthetic HRT
Not all hormone treatments are created equal, and Dr. Postoev only uses bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), not synthetic hormones. Understanding the differences between the two can help you make the choice that is best for you.
Bioidentical hormones have the exact same structure as the hormones your body makes naturally. They are made from plant sources like soy or yams, and scientists convert them in a lab to identically mimic human estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Because they match your natural hormones perfectly, your body can recognize and use them just like it would use the hormones made by your body.
Synthetic hormones are not the same as bioidentical hormones and have a different structure even though they can work similarly in your body. Many women and doctors prefer bioidentical hormones for menopause because there is a much lower risk of failure because your body handles them naturally, and they work just like what your body is used to.
How Bioidentical Hormone Therapy Works
There are many ways to administer BHRT, including
- Patches or gels that you put on your skin.
- Pills or capsules that you swallow (like micronized progesterone, which is bioidentical).
- Creams or gels that are applied topically.
- Tablets
- Rings that go in the vagina to help with dryness and discomfort.
- Small pellets placed under your skin that slowly and gradually release the hormones over a few months.
Dr. Angelina will work with you to figure out which form and dose of bioidentical hormone therapy will best treat your needs and circumstances. She will start you on the lowest dose and monitor and adjust your treatment as needed based on how you feel and if you are having any side effects. If your uterus is still intact, you will need to take estrogen together with progesterone to protect the uterine lining from overgrowing, which can become cancerous. If you have had a hysterectomy, you can take estrogen by itself without these increased risks.
What to Expect with HRT Treatment
Starting hormone therapy requires some patience and open, honest communication with your doctor. Most women will begin to get relief from hot flashes and night sweats within a few weeks, but it can take up to three months of treatment to begin to notice a difference. It may take a bit longer for you to see noticeable changes in your mood, energy level, and how well you sleep.
Some women experience temporary side effects when they first start HRT, like sore breasts, bloating, or irritability, but these normally go away as your body gets used to the new hormone levels. If they persist, Dr. Angelina can adjust your dose or the form of delivery to achieve a better balance. She will continue to check in with you to ensure the therapy is doing what it should for you and watch for any concerns. It is important to let her know how you are doing and about any symptoms that seem “off” so she can look into what is going on.
The length of time you should stay on HRT is different for everyone and will depend on your personal circumstances. Some women only need it for a few years to get through the worst of the transition symptoms, and others do better staying on it for a longer time.
How Do I Know If HRT for Menopause Is Right for Me?
Working with an expert like Dr. Angelina will help you decide whether HRT is a good choice for you. She will talk with you about your symptoms, their severity, your health history, and the details regarding your age, menopause status, and treatment preferences, like which type and delivery method will best fit your lifestyle and circumstances.
Bioidentical hormones for menopause can significantly improve your quality of life, but they work best when you also take care of yourself by eating a well-balanced healthy diet, staying active, managing your stress levels, getting enough sleep, and building a strong support system of people who can help with practical and emotional assistance while you are going through menopause.
Where Can I Find Help With HRT for Menopause in Georgia?
If you are struggling with menopausal symptoms and are looking for relief, schedule a consultation with Dr. Angelina at IBI Plastic Surgery Med Spa to find out more about bioidentical hormones for menopause. After a personalized evaluation, she can help determine whether BHRT is a viable option to improve your quality of life and enhance your health in the future.
There is no need to suffer or deal with unpleasant systems if there is a safe and effective source of help. Speak with Dr. Angelina today to learn more about HRT so you can make an informed decision about your care. With the right information and the guidance from an expert in BHRT like Dr. Angelina Postoev, you will navigate through menopause feeling like your best self, with energy and confidence. Book your consultation today.
FAQs
Do I Need Estrogen After Menopause?
This is one of the most common questions women ask, and the answer really depends on you and your exact circumstances. Studies show that women who start taking estrogen during perimenopause (the time right before menopause) or within ten years of their last period tend to experience better health as they get older. Waiting until you are much older can elevate the risks of HRT and outweigh the benefits.
If you go through menopause early (before age 40), whether it happens naturally or because of surgery, you will usually need hormone replacement. Without it, you will be at a higher risk for heart disease and weaker bones as you age. Most doctors recommend using hormone replacement therapy until at least the age of 50 or 52, which is when menopause normally happens.
If you start hormone therapy in your 50s because of menopause symptoms, you can usually stay on it safely for several years, and recent studies show that some women can even continue past age 65 under the watchful eye of their doctor.
Do You Age Slower with HRT?
Yes, according to recent research, HRT can help slow down your biological aging and help you appear and function as younger than your actual age. It helps keep your skin in good shape by boosting the production of collagen and elastin, and helps you maintain muscle strength. The biggest benefits have been seen when HRT was started earlier in menopause.
