Hormone Therapy, What Better Gift For You This Holiday?

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Hormone therapy, like pellet implants, is also known as bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. It has many health benefits. For one, it helps women cope with menopausal symptoms. 

Hormones constantly change, especially during aging. For example, estrogen levels drastically drop when women reach their 40s. It will ultimately lead to menopause, where monthly periods stop permanently. Menopause can be difficult for some women. 

Why not give yourself a practical and soothing gift this holiday?

• Hormone therapy 
• Benefits of hormones for menopausal women
• Eases menopausal symptoms
• Boosts libido and mood
• Protects from osteoporosis

What Is Hormone Therapy?

It is also called bioidentical because it mimics the body’s natural hormones. The main ingredients come from plants like cactus, soy, and yam. It also comes in different forms, like pellets.

Bioidentical hormone pellets contain a mix of hormones or compounded. It may include any of the following hormones:

• Dehydropieandrosterone
• Estradiol
• Estriol
• Estrone
• Pregnenolone
• Progesterone
• Testosterone

Not all women undergoing menopause receive the same formulation. Clinicians tailor-fit the dosage of these compounded formulations for each person. So we recommend you consult us first before going through hormone therapy.

An example of a hormone therapy route is through pellet implants. Pellets are inserted under your skin. Unlike the oral form, it works fast as it bypasses the digestive system. In addition, there is a steady dose release, so you won’t be bothered by missing a dose. 

It is hassle-free and convenient since you won’t have to take it daily. The effects may last up to five months. Additionally, you won’t have to worry about removing them since the pellets dissolve on their own. 

What Are The Benefits Of Hormones On Menopausal Women?

Hormonal changes occur before, during, and after menopause. Women have a significant dip in estrogen and progesterone levels. As a result, you may experience vasomotor symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats. 

Men and women naturally produce testosterone, another hormone. Like estrogen and progesterone, testosterone levels also decline with age. Women with low testosterone may experience reduced libido, mood swings, and vaginal dryness.

Hormone pellet therapy may replace estrogen, estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone. However, only a few studies discuss the safety and efficacy of compounded bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. 

Experts also raised issues on compounded bioidentical hormones' dose and potentially harmful effects. Moreover, they questioned the efficacy of pellets and their unstable release of hormones. But some researchers investigated hormone therapy using various routes with promising results.

For one, researchers conducted the largest retrospective study to assess testosterone and estradiol pellet implants. They gathered data on men and women from 2012 to 2019. 

This 2021 study reveals that pellets had very high continuation rates. The pellets were safe and tolerated, as complication rates were below 1%. Moreover, the researchers suggested that pellet implants appeared to surpass other bioidentical hormone replacement therapy routes.

Does Hormone Therapy Relieve Your Menopausal Symptoms?

According to a study of 78 surveys, 57.7% of women participants reported fewer side effects. At the same time, 71.8% said they experienced relief from menopausal symptoms. These symptoms include night sweats, hot flashes, and vaginal dryness. In addition, mood swings and low sex drive also improved using compounded bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. 

In 2016, researchers systematically reviewed published articles on hormone therapy. Nine studies yielded similar results. The review reveals that low-dose oral and transdermal estrogen can relieve postmenopausal symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats. 

In 2018, a review showed progesterone’s efficacy on menopausal women. The researchers got their data from random-control trials and other relevant sources. The review reveals that progesterone effectively eased menopausal symptoms. Additionally, it improved sleep in healthy menopausal women. Finally, the researchers suggested that progesterone may improve heart function equally or better than estradiol.

Does It Boost Your Libido And Mood?

Here’s where testosterone comes in. Are you feeling these low testosterone symptoms? Some of these are unexplained tiredness, low libido, and intense dissatisfaction or uneasiness. These conditions are common in menopausal women, not only in men with low testosterone.

For example, a researcher reviewed studies about testosterone hormone therapy for postmenopausal women. The review reveals transdermal testosterone improved sexual problems. It includes desire, satisfaction, and orgasm frequency. 

Regarding mood, experts disapprove of estrogen as a perimenopausal depression therapy. Yet the evidence points out its antidepressant effects, especially for those with vasomotor symptoms. 

A study reveals the benefit of transdermal estrogen plus progesterone on mood. One hundred and seventy-two women used patches or a placebo. After one year, the perimenopausal women with the patch were less likely to show depression than the placebo group.

Another cohort study found similar results from 296 women. They received either topical or oral low-dose compounded bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. In three to six months, their menopausal mood symptoms improved. Emotional lability and irritability decreased by 25% and anxiety by 22%.

Does It Protect You Against Bone Loss?

Postmenopausal women are prone to osteoporosis and fractures. As women age, estrogen declines leading to weak and brittle bones. Hormone therapy with estrogen prevents bone loss in postmenopausal women. 

Another hormone, progesterone, plays a role in bone formation. Its drop during menopause results in a decrease in bone density. A study reveals progesterone plus estradiol may be highly effective in preventing osteoporosis in women. The researchers suggested more trials to confirm progesterone’s role in women’s bone health.

Some medical practitioners recommend menopause hormone therapy as the first choice in preventing osteoporosis. But they advise it for women below 60 years old or less than 10 years post-menopausal. Women above 60 or more than 10 years postmenopausal are advised to consider medicines instead.

A 2020 study supports this earlier recommendation. Hormone therapy for menopausal women may be considered an option for bone health maintenance. But, medical practitioners are advised to perform a personalized benefit-risk assessment.

Takeaway

Your hormones decrease as you reach menopause. You start to feel the symptoms like hot flashes and low sex drive. Your bones begin to ache, or you experience low back pain more often. 

Hormone therapy, like pellet implants, replaces the testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone that you’re losing. Studies may have conflicting results, but some evidence exhibits many benefits. 

An advantage of this therapy includes relief from your menopausal symptoms. In addition, it boosts your libido and mood. At the same time, it promotes bone health. Now aren’t these benefits something to be merry about this holiday?