When to Consider Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy for Menopausal Symptoms

Most people know menopause is associated with a steep decline in estrogen, the hormone responsible for your periods. And many people also know this decline can usher in some unpleasant symptoms, like hot flashes, night sweats, and sleep troubles. 

However, what many women don’t know is how extreme these effects can be, leaving them unprepared for the severity of their symptoms and the impact on their health and their quality of life. Fortunately, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help replenish your natural hormones with bioidentical hormones designed to act just like the hormones your body produces.

As a top-rated gynecologist in New York, E. Jacob Simhaee, MD, offers bioidentical HRT for women dealing with the symptoms of menopause, customizing each therapy depending on the individual’s needs and goals. Here, learn about the signs that could mean it’s time for you to think about adding bioidentical HRT to your health and wellness routine.

Signs it’s time to consider bioidentical HRT

Bioidentical HRT offers lots of benefits for women struggling with menopause symptoms, like hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain, fatigue, headaches, dry skin, and more. Here’s how to tell if bioidentical might be a good choice for you.

Your symptoms are interfering with your sleep or energy

Menopause is often associated with sleep problems, including insomnia and poor-quality sleep, which can leave you feeling fatigued and lethargic on a regular basis. By restoring estrogen levels, bioidentical HRT restores normal sleep, too, for better emotional and physical health.

You have concerns about bone health

Estrogen helps your bones stay healthy and strong. Once you enter menopause, your risk of osteoporosis increases. If a bone density test reveals you’re at risk for osteoporosis, bioidentical HRT could help prevent fractures.

Your symptoms are making sex uncomfortable

While hot flashes, night sweats, and irritability are perhaps the most well-known symptoms of menopause, vaginal dryness and discomfort are extremely common, too. HRT helps relieve vaginal symptoms that cause vaginal pain (and sometimes mild bleeding) during intercourse.

You’re having symptoms of urinary incontinence or infection

Estrogen helps maintain vaginal health. As the levels of estrogen decline, your vaginal pH level changes, making you more prone to yeast infections and other infections. Plus, changes in vaginal tonicity can lead to urine leakage.

Your symptoms are taking a toll on your quality of life

Maybe your symptoms aren’t severe, but they’re bothersome enough to make life less enjoyable. Or maybe the combination of symptoms is taking a toll on your work, your relationships, or your overall well-being. Bioidentical HRT helps address multiple symptoms to restore physical and emotional wellness.

Other options haven’t helped

Maybe you’ve tried other menopause treatment options, like herbal supplements or lifestyle modifications, that just haven’t worked. In that case, bioidentical HRT could give you the results you’re looking for.

The basics of bioidentical HRT

HRT uses a variety of methods, like gels, injections, and oral medications, to replace natural hormones. Dr. Simhaee uses a special type of bioidentical HRT — the BioTE® system — that delivers steady doses of hormones through tiny pellets implanted under your skin.

The pellet is inserted into the fatty tissue in your hip area using a tiny puncture wound. About the size of a grain of rice, the pellet remains in place for about 3-4 months before it needs to be replaced.

In addition to replacing estrogen, BioTE can also be used to replenish your levels of testosterone (yes, women have testosterone, too) to establish the optimal balance for your body and your health.

If you’re experiencing uncomfortable symptoms of menopause, bioidentical HRT could be the solution you’ve been hoping for. To learn more, request an appointment online or over the phone with Dr. Simhaee and his team in Manhasset and Forest Hills, New York, today.