Hormone Replacement Therapy in Birmingham, Alabama
As you become older, your body’s hormone levels gradually decrease as part of the normal aging process. Weight gain, low energy, and low sex drive are some common side effects of hormonal imbalances that can reduce your quality of life and increase your risk of a range of serious health and medical conditions.
At OB/GYN Associates of Alabama, we offer bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). BHRT is a safe, effective method of improving your hormonal balance in a natural way without the risks and side effects that come with many conventional hormone replacement therapies. What makes bioidentical hormones safe is that they are “natural” and identical in makeup to certain hormones the body produces naturally.
Benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormone Replacement Therapy rebalances hormone levels that begin to decline as part of the aging process. The advantages of optimal hormone levels include:
Symptoms That Can Be Improved With Menopausal Hormone Therapy
No matter what your symptoms are, our wellness professionals can help come up with a plan to help with uncomfortable symptoms. Menopausal symptoms can look different for everyone, but some common symptoms are:
Estrogen Therapy
Systemic hormone therapy.
Typically these forms contain a higher dose of estrogen that is absorbed throughout the body. They can also be made with the lowest dose to make sure that your body is getting the correct amount of synthetic hormones. It can be used to treat any of the common symptoms of menopause. Systemic estrogen can come in:
Is Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Safe for Everyone?
While natural hormone therapy is safe for most people to treat menopausal symptoms, it is a medical treatment and can hurt people with certain conditions. Hormone treatments are not usually recommended if you have any of these health conditions:
It’s best to consult with a hormone specialist or a hormone doctor before undergoing any type of hormone therapy, including bioidentical hormone therapy and natural hormone therapy. Our hormone clinic will educate you on whether or not HRT is the right treatment for you. Contact us today for questions.
Risks of Hormone Replacement Therapy
As hinted at above, HRT is a medical treatment, so even while it’s safe for most women, it doesn’t come without risks. HRT can pose certain risks, including an increased chance of blood clots, stroke, and certain types of cancer, such as breast and uterine cancer. Additionally, long-term use of HRT may elevate the risk of heart disease and gallbladder disease.
Women considering HRT should discuss their medical history, family history, and individual risk factors with us to weigh the potential benefits against these risks and explore alternative treatments when appropriate. While undergoing HRT, our regular monitoring can help adjust dosages to mitigate these risks.
Is Bioidentical HRT Approved by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States to Treat Menopausal Symptoms?
Bioidentical hormone therapy itself is not FDA-approved as a single entity. However, the individual hormones used in bioidentical hormone therapy, such as estradiol and progesterone, have FDA-approved formulations available by prescription. Compounded bioidentical hormone preparations, which are custom-made by compounding pharmacies, have not undergone the same regulatory scrutiny and approval process as commercially available hormone therapy products.
That doesn’t mean the treatment itself isn’t safe, and we wouldn’t offer it if we didn’t believe in its benefits. In full transparency, the individual hormones are FDA-approved, but the compounded preparations are not. Our physicians are more than happy to educate you on whether or not this treatment is right for you. Contact us today if you have any questions.
Hormone Replacement Therapy FAQs
Hormone pellets are made from natural plant products. The blend of estrogen or testosterone from HRT pellets mirrors the same molecular structure as the hormones in your body. At OB/GYN Associates of Alabama, we have had extremely high patient satisfaction rates with HRT pellets. For more information about this treatment option, schedule a consultation today.
Most patients see improvements within the first two to three weeks following their first therapy. However, it can take up to eight weeks to feel the full effects of HRT. Your doctor will monitor your progress and suggest a dosage and frequency schedule based on your needs.
HRT has been highly beneficial for many of our patients, but it may not be suitable for everyone. Hormone replacement therapies do carry a possibility of increased blood clots or risk for cancer. At OB/GYN Associates of Alabama, our providers will closely monitor your body’s responses and can address any concerns you may have.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for menopausal symptoms involves taking estrogen, often with progestin for women with a uterus, to replace declining hormone levels. This supplementation aims to alleviate symptoms like hot flashes and mood swings. HRT increases estrogen levels in the body, restoring hormonal balance.
Regular monitoring is crucial to ensure estrogen levels remain safe, as excess estrogen can lead to health risks such as blood clots and certain cancers. When working with us, we can adjust dosages to balance symptom relief with minimizing risks.
Monitoring your Hormone Replacement Therapy involves regular visits for discussions about your regimen and any symptom changes. Blood tests are typically conducted to track hormone levels and assess potential side effects. Keep a record of symptom changes to inform adjustments to your treatment plan.
Bone density tests and screenings for breast and cervical health may also be recommended. Don’t hesitate to share your concerns with us. By staying proactive and maintaining open communication with OB/GYN, you can effectively monitor your HRT and ensure its safety and effectiveness in managing menopausal symptoms.
OB/GYN's Team of Physicians
Our team of OB/GYN specialists prioritizes personalized care with empathy. OB/GYN’s success is gauged by our patients’ satisfaction and delivering exceptional healthcare. We are delighted you’ve selected our practice and eagerly anticipate delivering thorough, tailored medical attention to you. Below, meet our physicians who are ready to help you with HRT.
St. Vincent’s At Birmingham
- Valentina Folse, P.A.
- Rupa Goolsby, MD
- William Johnson III, MD
- John Foster, MD
- Jodie Blankenship Benton, MD
