MENOPAUSE
Hormone Balance for WOMEN
Physicians Weight Control and Wellness Centers Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy
What is Menopause
Menopause is the time in a woman’s life when the ovarian production of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone begins to decline. Although menopause is medically
defined as the time in which a woman stops menstruating for a period of 12 months, the onset can occur up to ten years before that. While each woman is different, it usually occurs between the ages of 35 and 55.
We recommend that all women should have their hormone levels checked by the age of 40. Before a woman’s period stops, she will notice a change. Her periods will become shorter and she will have a decrease in energy, strength, and libido. Her moods will change: she may be more agitated, depressed, apathetic, and forgetful than normal. Weight gain especially in the abdomen and thighs is common as hormones begin to change.
How Do We Treat Menopause
Since most of the symptoms of menopause are related to declining hormones, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is an effective way to manage menopause. HRT can be used to treat hot flashes, vaginal dryness , sleeplessness, and irritability. HRT can also provide cardiovascular benefits such as protection against premature heart disease, hypertension, and high cholesterol. If started early, HRT can also help prevent osteoporosis
Physician’s Weight Control and Wellness Centers
offers individual treatment plans based on the patient’s symptoms, physiology, and lab results.
Benefits of Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement
Relieves hot flashes, night sweats
Decreased irritability, mood swings
Weight loss, decreased body fat
Increased libido, higher energy levels ~ Improved skin elasticity (less wrinkles)
Improved memory
Better sleep
Decreased effects of osteoporosis ~ Enhanced quality of life!!
Symptoms of Menopause
Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
Irritability, Mood Swings, and Depression • Loss of Libido and Energy
Trouble Sleeping
Vaginal Dryness
Weight Gain (especially in the abdomen, hips and thighs)
What are Bio-Identical Hormones?
Bio-identical hormones are derived from plant sources and are modified to the exact human hormones. Bio-identical hormones from a compounding pharmacy are different than hormones from pharmaceutical synthetic hormones..
Bio-Identical vs Synthetic Hormones
Are Bio-Identical Hormones Safe?
Synthetic hormones are usually more potent than human hormones. Synthetic progestins such as Provera do not match the body’s chemistry and can inhibit
ovulation, suppress the body’s own production of progesterone, and actually
aggravate a woman’s symptoms rather than eliminate them. Many women
become irritable, more emotional, and experience headaches, fluid retention, weight gain, facial hair, and acne with synthetic progesterone. Most women feel better when they substitute the bio-identical progesterone for Provera.
Studies show that women have an increase in breast cancer when using high doses of synthetic estrogens. In contrast, bio-identical estrogen used in postmenopausal women are actually 10-20 times lower in strength than synthetic estrogens in birth control pills.
TESTOSTERONE
Hormone Balance for MEN and WOMEN
Are You Tired?
Lack Energy?
Losing Strength?
Low Sex Drive?
Erectile Dysfunction?
Depressed Mood?
Grumpy?
YOU MAY NEED TESTOSTERONE REPLACEMENT
LOW TESTOSTERONE LEVELS IN MEN
In their 40s and 50s, men often experience male menopause called andropause. It is a result of a gradual drop in hormone levels, including testosterone. Symptoms can vary from emotional and behavioral changes to loss of energy, decreased stamina and sexual dysfunction.
A decline in hormone levels will occur in almost all men and the impact on the quality of life can be significant for some. Low hormone levels can expose men to health problems such as heart disease, osteoporosis, and stroke.
Bio-identical hormone therapy should always be under the care of qualified medical personnel and integrated with proper nutrition and exercise.
LOW TESTOSTERONE LEVELS IN WOMEN
Women need testosterone too! A female has about 10% of the testosterone of a male. When a woman goes through menopause her testosterone levels can decline dramatically. Women who have low levels of testosterone may experience a decrease in sex drive, lower energy levels and decrease in muscle and bone structure.
Many women will experience an improvement in libido when supplemented with low doses of testosterone.
Symptoms of Low Testosterone
Loss of Energy
Loss of Muscle Mass
Increased Body Fat
Low Sex Drive
Erectile Dysfunction
Depression (moodiness, sad, low self-esteem)
TAKE CHARGE
Physician’s Weight Control and Wellness Centers offer a physician supervised program applying preventative methods, including proper nutrition and physical fitness, while helping maintain balanced hormone levels. There are many effective methods for treating men and women with low levels of testosterone. One method is to treat with the “signal” hormone from the brain that increases the body’s own production of testosterone. Another method when hormones like testosterone cannot be produced is to use creams or injections to safely restore hormone levels.
The hormones and approach are unique to each individual. Our doctors test and review your levels and create a program specifically for your symptoms, physiology and lab results
Our Plan for You
The first step is to get a blood test to determine your hormone levels. We provide the testing at our clinics. Next complete a symptom questionnaire and schedule your follow up appointment with one of our health care providers. After receiving your test results, we will review them with you in your personal consultation. We will formulate a plan that involves bio-identical hormone therapy, fitness, nutrition and weight loss if needed.
(We do not file any kind of insurance. If you think your insurance company will pay for your blood test you will need to have them reimbursed you.)
