Female Hormone Replacement Therapy

Female hormone can become imbalanced at any age but the most common time for the symptoms to become constant and unbearable are around menopause or perimenopause. Still women in their mid 30's will start to have hormone levels decline too. Sometimes this can manifest as decreased libido, vaginal dryness, menstrual irregularity, excess weight gain, irritability, or other symptoms. Around age 45-50 is typically when the major decline in hormones begin, known as menopause. 

Hormone Imbalances in Younger Females

During the menstrual cycle the levels of progesterone and estrogen fluctuate depending on the stage of the cycle. Relative deficiencies and excesses of these hormones can often account for the symptoms of PMS and other menstrual symptoms. Using bioidentical hormones the naturopathic doctors at Southwest Integrative Medicine will balance your hormones and alleviate these symptoms. 

Menopausal Hormone Imbalances

Females are born with about 400,000 follicles (or eggs) of which only about 400-500 are actually viable to be fertilized. With each cycle that a women ovulates, one egg is released from the follicles where it passes through the fallopian tubes. It is here where the egg is fertilized. If it is not fertilized, a mensuration ensues. At some point in the womans life, the passing of the egg out of the follicle stops as do the menstrual cycles. This stage is called menopause.

During this time estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels decline. These declining hormones are responsible for the symptoms of menopause. 

Perimenopausal Hormone Imbalances

For most women changes in hormone levels start several months or years before the ovulation stops. This is change is referred to as perimenopause, next to menopause. The symptoms of perimenopause vary but typically are noted for irregular menses, heavier menses, more infrequent menses, irritability, and anxiety, poor sleep. At some point during perimenopause the cycles will stop altogether. However for women that are having symptoms prior to mensuration stopping, bioidentical hormone treatment can help with the symptoms and also ease the transition to and through menopause.