Hormone Therapy for Women

As women age, hormone imbalance can begin to take its toll, sometimes as early as age 35. No one can predict when these symptoms will appear or how significantly they may affect your daily life.

Certain warning signs should prompt you to consider that your body may be experiencing declining hormone levels. If you are noticing a reduced sex drive, unexplained weight gain, memory lapses, sudden mood changes, thinning hair or dry skin, or ongoing fatigue and low motivation, you may be dealing with the effects of perimenopause or menopause.

Perimenopause typically begins in your mid to late 40s, brings irregular periods, and can continue for several years before your cycle stops entirely during menopause.

We believe the root cause is a natural decline in your body’s hormone production. Our solution uses bioidentical hormones, which are chemically identical to the hormones your body already produces.

Restoring your hormonal balance delivers meaningful health benefits and effectively eases menopausal symptoms. While many physicians rely on synthetic medications with a history of harsh side effects, our clinics take a different approach. We begin with comprehensive laboratory testing to pinpoint exactly which hormones require support. We then prescribe only bioidentical hormones manufactured by certified specialty pharmacies to precise, pharmaceutical grade standards. These formulations work in harmony with your body for a safer, more natural outcome.

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Bioidentical vs. Synthetic Hormones

Bioidentical hormones are plant derived, typically sourced from wild yam or soybeans. Their chemical structure matches human hormones exactly, meaning they trigger the same biological responses and are metabolized by the body in the same way as the hormones your body produces naturally.

Synthetic hormones, by contrast, are chemically altered to differ from the body’s natural hormones. When your body attempts to process these unfamiliar compounds, it can create toxic by products that lead to side effects ranging from bloating, mood swings, and water retention to more severe risks like heart disease and cancer. Research has shown that these adverse effects do not occur with bioidentical hormone therapy.

At Solutions MD Wellness, every patient receives a personalized hormone replacement plan. We evaluate your unique hormonal profile through a review of your medical history, symptoms, and targeted lab testing. Your treatment protocol is then custom designed to fit your specific needs. Your progress is closely tracked, and your dosage is adjusted as needed based on clinical results and follow up lab work.

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What Is Bioidentical HRT?

Through regular monitoring, precise hormone adjustments, and guidance on nutrition and exercise, our goal is to help you feel your best and reclaim the vitality you once had.

Restoring the right hormones can help prevent or reverse many signs of aging. By using bioidentical forms of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, we can effectively ease perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are hormones and why do I need them?
Hormones are an essential part of the metabolic process of living. Hormones are important for the cells, organs, and metabolism. Our hormones decline through aging, menopause, disease or trauma. When this happens, we begin an accelerated aging process. Loss of hormones is one of the major reasons for our deterioration as we get older, both physically and mentally. Hormones are beneficial at any age, but the best long-term protective benefits are achieved if hormones are replaced when you begin to lose them, usually in our 40’s.

What are the typical hormones that are prescribed?
Synthetic estrogen (ie: Premarin) and progestins (ie: Provera) are produced in a laboratory. They are chemically altered so that they can be patented by the pharmaceutical companies. They are not identical to human hormones. They are designed to try to elicit the same responses in your body as your natural hormones. Because synthetic hormones are not identical to human hormones, they might adversely stimulate the cells and lead to side effects or cancer. Premarin is an estrogen obtained from pregnant horses and is not human identical. Provera is a progestin. Both have been implicated in causing problems in some women, including breast cancer.

How are bio-identical estrogen and progesterone produced?
Hormones that are identical to human hormones are found in yarns and soy. We call these “natural” because they are natural to the body. The hormones are extracted from these vegetables and then processed by a specialty compounding pharmacy into a prescription dose and form. The body better accepts and metabolizes these hormones as if it made them. ·

What are the problems with synthetic hormones?
When first developed, synthetic hormones were well received because they provided some of the benefits of hormone replacement: controlling the symptoms of menopause and fighting osteoporosis and heart disease. However, the long-term results have shown that synthetic hormones sometimes elicit a negative metabolic response. Some women can tolerate synthetic hormones – often suffering from side effects such as bloating, bleeding or mood swings. In some patients, synthetic estrogens and progestins contributed to the development of breast and uterine cancer.
Synthetic hormones are not a perfect match in the body. Synthetic hormones produce abnormal metabolites that can cause side effects and increase the risk of cancer. A natural hormone is a perfect fit in the body- it is a biologically identical hormone replacement.

Why doesn’t my gynecologist prescribe bio-identical hormones?
Natural supplements such as vitamins and hormones are protected by federal regulation and may not be patented. A lot of what physicians learn is from the drug companies who are promoting their products. Therefore, your doctors are primarily taught only about synthetic products. Bio-identical hormones do not come under specific brand names. Your physician must be self-educated and experienced in prescribing and monitoring natural hormones. They probably just don’t know a lot about them or must prescribe within the constraints of your health insurance.

What are the signs of low Progesterone and what are the health benefits?
Progesterone is responsible for balancing estrogen and the female reproductive cycle. Deficiency results in symptoms of PMS, bloating, headaches, cramping, mood swings, breast tenderness, and irritability. A deficiency in progesterone can be a factor in frequent miscarriages.

Research shows that natural progesterone stimulates bone-building osteoblasts, thus providing protection against osteoporosis. Progesterone reduces the mitotic change in breast and uterine tissue, thereby protecting against cancer. Progesterone is necessary for adequate sexual response, lubrication and vaginal vasodilation. Progesterone is responsible for the physiologic equilibrium with estrogen. At menopause, women lose both estrogen and progesterone and both should be replaced. Progesterone replacement is important, even if you have had a hysterectomy because it does much more than just protect the uterus.

Source: Neil Rousier, MD, 2015

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What to Expect When Starting Bioidentical Hormone Therapy

Your journey begins with a brief medical history form and a symptoms questionnaire, completed when your lab work is drawn. If you live outside our area, we can coordinate with a nearby lab location to make the process convenient for you.
Your initial consultation can take place as soon as three days after your labs are processed. During this visit, we will review your symptoms, medical background, lifestyle, and health goals, along with your lab results. Based on this comprehensive evaluation, we will outline a customized treatment plan.

Follow Up Visits
During your first year of treatment, follow up appointments are scheduled every three months. These visits allow us to verify that your hormone levels remain in the optimal range and that your treatment continues to meet your needs. Lab work is required prior to each appointment. After your first year, visits are spaced to every six months. Beginning in your third year, annual check ins are sufficient. If you experience any discomfort or concerns at any time, please reach out to us right away. Our team is always available to address questions or support you through your treatment journey.

Pharmacy Information
We carefully vetted multiple compounding pharmacies before selecting our partner. Because quality standards vary significantly across compounding pharmacies, we work exclusively with one trusted facility that meets our rigorous criteria. All medications are shipped discreetly to your door, typically the day after your prescription is placed. Shipments are handled via FedEx, and you may need to coordinate with them for delivery, often by leaving a simple note at your door.