Hormone Treatment for Women
Our team’s philosophy is to treat the whole woman and personalize her care. One of the ways we do this is with hormone treatment and optimization for women using bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, or BHRT.
As women age, their estrogen, progesterone and testosterone hormone levels decline. Yes, women have testosterone hormones, too! During perimenopause and menopause, women often experience unpleasant symptoms related to hormone imbalances. Our Austin urologists see women who are suffering from urinary symptoms, such as incontinence or painful intercourse as they get older.
What are the symptoms of hormone imbalances in women?
Most women experience some adverse effects during perimenopause, or the years before menopause. Symptoms are also common during menopause and beyond, or the period that occurs after a woman has stopped menstruating for at least one year.
Menopausal hormone imbalances can cause many symptoms.
- Lowered libido or complete lack of interest in sex
- Vaginal dryness, which can cause pain during sex as well as urinary symptoms
- Urinary symptoms, including urinary incontinence, more urinary tract infections, and the frequent need to urinate
- Hair loss
- Sleep problems
- Night sweats
- Hot flashes
- Depression and anxiety
- An inability to concentrate and brain fog
- Fatigue
- Lack of energy
- Mood swings
- Weight gain, particularly around the abdomen
- Dry skin
What does hormone treatment and optimization for women involve?
When women come to our Austin urologists suffering from symptoms caused by menopause, our team discusses their concerns and considers whether they might benefit from hormone therapy. After taking a thorough medical history, our physicians order blood tests to measure the levels of hormones. When they get those results, our physicians and patients can discuss hormone treatment and optimization for women.
What are the benefits of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy?
In bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, hormones created from plant substances are used to make replacement hormones with the same chemical structure as the natural hormones the body produces. BHRT products are created in a compounding pharmacy, allowing the pharmacist to personalize the product to a woman’s needs.
The medication is available in several forms, including oral capsules, pellets, patches, vaginal creams and suppositories. Most patients see results in a few weeks and continue to experience symptom relief.
Patients on BHRT return for follow-up visits, so our physicians can monitor their symptoms and the therapy’s effectiveness.
Our Austin urologists work to help women optimize their overall health
Hormone treatment and optimization for women may not be what women expect to find at a urology practice, but our practice is different. Our team is here to help women with more than their urinary symptoms. We are also here to help them get to and maintain their best health. Contact us for an appointment.
