What is menopause?

Menopause is a condition that affects your ovaries, causing them to no longer release eggs, eventually stopping menstruation altogether. All women experience menopause, typically between the ages of 45 and 55. Some women experience the effects of menopause earlier in life, typically due to certain surgeries such as hysterectomy.

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What are the symptoms of menopause?

There are numerous symptoms associated with menopause, some of the most common being mood changes, fatigue, and weight loss. Other symptoms of menopause include:

 

• Hot flashes

• Sleep issues

• Dry skin

• Anxiety

• Night sweats

• Low sex drive

• Pain during intercourse

• Memory loss

• Osteoporosis

 

What is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy?

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) was designed to treat unbalanced hormone levels in both men and women.

Your body naturally reduces its production of certain hormones with age, during the onset of menopause, and as a result of some medical conditions. Dr. Mussenden uses bioidentical hormone replacement therapy to supplement your natural hormones with ones that are biologically identical.

Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are the most commonly used bioidentical hormones. BHRT is typically used to relieve the symptoms of menopause or perimenopause.

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What issues can be treated with bioidentical hormone replacement therapy?

BHRT can alleviate several conditions other than menopause, including:

 

• Hypothyroidism

• Insulin resistance due to diabetes

• Adrenal/Generalized fatigue

• Fibromyalgia

• Osteoporosis

• Decreased sex drive

 

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy has also been shown to reduce your risk of tooth loss, diabetes, and cataracts.

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How is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy administered?

Bioidentical hormones are created from plant estrogens and can be administered in a number of forms. Dr. Mussenden offers numerous modalities including pellet therapy.

Bioidentical hormone pellets are tiny implants that Dr. Mussenden places in your hip area. You can expect a pellet to last 3-5 months, depending on how fast your body metabolizes the hormones.

During a BHRT treatment, and depending on your general health, Dr. Mussenden observes and tracks your body’s response through regular blood tests.

If you’re suffering from the symptoms of menopause, fibromyalgia, hypothyroidism, or other hormone imbalance issues, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy could help.

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Call to schedule an appointment for a consultation at Women's Health Partners.