3921 E. Baseline Road Suite 100 Gilbert, Arizona 480-289-5252
What are the Benefits of Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy?
Bio-identical hormone therapy will often sifnificantly reduce the symptoms associated with hormonal decline. Most patients who start on bio-identical hormones feel emotionally and physically better within two weeks. In addition to symptom relief, Bio-identical hormones protect your heart, blood vessels, bones, skin, and muscles from decline.
How are they used?
Many studies confirm that estrogen therapy should be delivered through the skin to minimize the dosage applied. In addition, one form of estrogen, Estriol, can be administered transvaginally to treat vaginal dryness and urinary tract symptoms. Progesterone can be given both orally and topically. If you are suffering from insomnia, oral bio-identical progesterone is often the best treatment.Testosterone is most commonly used topically although a new pellet therapy appears to be equally effective.
Will I still need to have Monthly Cycles?
Many physicians and scientists believe that the monthly cycling women experience contributes to the cardiovascular benefits of hormone therapy. However, continuous therapy is most commonly used to accommodate the patient’s desire to stop having monthly cycles.
What Will Happen After my Bodywise Consultation?
Dr. Mikel will thoroughly review your symptoms and health factors with your laboratory results to create a customized plan for you. This plan typically includes: Dietary changes to enhance longevity and vitality; Lifestyle changes to increase energy and reduce stress and its effects on the body; High quality supplements for your specific deficiencies; Prescription hormonal therapy to reduce your symptoms and restore your hormonal balance.
What are the symptoms of menopause and perimenopause?
| Hot Flashes | Insomnia |
| Depression | Night Sweats |
| Mood Swings | Brain Fog |
| Weight Gain | Loss of Sex Drive |
| Urinary Incontinence | Fatigue |
| Vaginal Dryness | Decreased Skin Thickness |
In her book, The Sexy Years, author Suzanne Somers describes her symptoms as the 7 Dwarfs of Menopause: Itchy, Bitchy, Sweaty, Sleepy, Bloated, Forgetful, and All Dried Up.
How is it Diagnosed?
Simple lab tests will show whether you are in menopause. However, because multiple other essestial hormones also decrease with aging such as Thyroid, Human Growth Hormone, DHEA as well as the adrenal stress hormones, a comprehensive hormonal evaluation is often necessary to see what other hormonal deficiencies are present. These state of the art tests help determine your unique hormone needs to reestablich hormonal balance and well being. Many insurance plans will partially cover a significant portion of the laboratory testing.
What are the Treatment Options?
In the past physicians used synthetic hormones to treat the symptoms. However, studies increasingly showed these synthetic hormones caused a significant amount of problems. Bioidentical hormones, or hormones identical to those found in the body prior to menopause have been used for several years.These hormones can be obtained by prescription in standard dosages through your pharmacy.However, many women’s hormonal needs are different from those offered by fixed dosages and so we often rely on an accredited compounding pharmacy to customize hormone preparations to a woman’s specific hormonal needs.
