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    Low Estrogen: What is Estradiol?

    Low Estrogen: What is Estradiol?

    Menopause is a natural, yet often overwhelming time in the life of women. It can cause physical and emotional changes that can be hard to adjust to and manage on your own. What many don’t realize is that symptoms like hot flashes and mood changes are due to low estrogen levels, particularly a type of estrogen called estradiol. If you’re like many menopausal women looking for more information about this change in hormones, then take some time to learn about estradiol — the form of estrogen most affected by menopause. Stay tuned for facts about estradiol’s role before and after menopause, as well as tips on managing this shift with personalized treatment solutions!

    If you’re struggling with symptoms of low estrogen and menopause symptoms, reach out to our team today to schedule an appointment and learn how we can help you feel better.

    Types of Estrogen

    Two women talking about how HRT helped improve their low estrogen symptoms.

    Low estrogen can cause a lot of uncomfortable symptoms.

    Estrogen is a crucial hormone in a woman’s body. It’s responsible for many things, like regulating the menstrual cycle, maintaining bone health, and protecting the cardiovascular system. You’ve probably heard of estrogen before, but did you know there are different types? The three types of estrogen are:

    • Estradiol
    • Estrone
    • Estriol

    Estradiol is the most predominant form of estrogen. It’s more potent than the other types and is made mostly in the ovaries. Estradiol is the hormone that controls a lot of the things you might think of when you consider estrogen, like reproduction and bone health. So, if your doctor says you have low estrogen, they’re likely talking about estradiol.

    Estrone, on the other hand, is the most predominant type of estrogen in postmenopausal women. This is considered the weakest type of estrogen. The adrenal glands and fat tissues in your body are responsible for most estrone production. Before menopause, it can be converted into estradiol in the body, but since you need less estradiol after menopause and you can no longer get pregnant, it tends to stay as estrone in the body after the menopausal transition.

    Lastly, estriol is produced during pregnancy by the placenta. It’s responsible for many important tasks during pregnancy, like helping the uterus grow and stay healthy and preparing the body for birth and breastfeeding. In people who aren’t pregnant, estriol levels are almost undetectable and don’t play a very significant role in the body.

    Estradiol’s Importance for Your Health

    Estradiol is a hormone that is essential for women’s health. For instance, estradiol levels affect things like the menstrual cycle, bone health, blood cholesterol levels, and even brain function. As we age, our estradiol levels naturally decline, leading up to menopause where they drop significantly. Low estradiol levels can lead to a range of health issues, including osteoporosis and increased risk for heart disease. Since this type of estrogen is so potent, it’s what’s primarily responsible for the symptoms of menopause and low estrogen.

    There are some lifestyle factors you can do to maintain healthy estradiol levels throughout your life, including things like eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise. However, after menopause, you might need hormone replacement therapy to boost estradiol to relieve your symptoms, since your ovaries stop producing as much estradiol as they did before.

    Estradiol Levels Before Menopause

    While estradiol is found in both men and women, it’s particularly important for women. It plays an important role in our premenopausal years by regulating the menstrual cycle and maintaining vaginal health. Before menopause, your estradiol levels will fluctuate based on where you are in your monthly cycle, with estradiol being highest in the first half of the cycle and then declining as you get closer to your period. In fact, these low estrogen levels during your cycle, while normal, are likely responsible for premenstrual symptoms.

    As you get closer to menopause, also known as perimenopause, estradiol levels may fluctuate more significantly. They may get really high or low during this time in the lead up to menopause. This is also frequently why women start experiencing menopause symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness before their period stops.

    Estradiol Levels After Menopause

    After menopause, when you’ve reached 12 months without a period, there is a significant drop in estrogen levels, particularly estradiol. These low estrogen levels happen because the ovaries stop producing estradiol, which causes your period to end. It can also lead to continuing symptoms like hot flashes and mood changes as your body gets used to the new normal for estrogen levels. Low estradiol levels after you reach menopause can also cause many health changes, with an increased risk for several serious conditions, like heart disease and osteoporosis. That’s why it’s important to speak with your doctor about any concerns you may have and discuss options for managing your estradiol levels after menopause. With proper care and attention, you can maintain your health and well-being for years to come. In many cases, estrogen replacement therapy can help address both symptoms and health risks after menopause related to low estrogen levels.

    Signs of Low Estrogen

    As women, we go through a lot of changes throughout our lives, and one of the most common is fluctuating estrogen levels. Low estrogen levels can cause a variety of symptoms, including:

    • Hot flashes
    • Night sweats
    • Vaginal dryness
    • Mood swings
    • Trouble sleeping

    It’s important to pay attention to these signs because low estrogen levels can also have long-term effects on our overall health, including bone loss and an increased risk of certain cancers. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to talk to our healthcare team to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. Remember, taking care of ourselves means paying attention to the signs our bodies are giving us!

    Causes of Low Estradiol

    Obviously, estradiol is an important hormone in our bodies, as one of the main types of estrogen. However, what actually causes estradiol levels to drop? Menopause is a major culprit. As we age and get closer to menopause, our ovaries stop producing as much estradiol. This is a natural, albeit often uncomfortable process that you may need to manage with hormone therapy.

    However, there are other things that can cause low estrogen as well. For instance, having a really low body weight is one. Excessive exercise is another. Also, certain medications can often lower estradiol.

    It’s important to speak with our healthcare providers if you are experiencing symptoms of low estradiol, as they can help determine the underlying cause and create a treatment plan tailored to your needs. Remember, knowledge is power, and understanding what’s going on with your body can help you feel your best.

    How to Diagnose Low Estrogen Levels

    If you’re suffering from low estrogen symptoms, then talk to our healthcare providers. We can help determine the underlying cause of your symptoms and provide tailored treatment plans to relieve your symptoms. Discussing your symptoms and ruling out other causes is one way that we frequently diagnose low estradiol levels.

    In some cases, we may recommend blood tests to look at how much estradiol is in your blood. In fact, it’s common to use these tests to determine your menopausal status, like if you take hormonal birth control and aren’t sure whether you’re experiencing a true period or withdrawal bleeding. Blood tests can let us see the amount of estradiol in your blood as well as the amount of follicle-stimulating hormone, which is what stimulates estrogen production in the ovaries.

    By analyzing your estradiol levels, our providers can determine if hormone replacement therapy or other treatments would be beneficial for you. It’s important to be open and honest with your doctor about any symptoms or concerns you may have, as this will help them provide you with the best possible care. So don’t hesitate to ask questions or bring up any worries – your health is important, and our team is here to help.

    Treatments for Low Estrogen

    Low estradiol levels can lead to a number of uncomfortable symptoms, such as hot flashes, mood swings, and even bone loss. Fortunately, there are treatment options available that can help alleviate these symptoms and improve your overall health. Medications, such as hormone replacement therapy, can effectively raise estradiol levels and offer symptom relief, while lifestyle modifications, such as regular exercise and a healthy diet, can also make a significant impact. It’s important to work with your healthcare provider to determine the best course of treatment for your individual needs, but with the right approach, you can manage low estradiol levels and enjoy a better quality of life.

    Women’s Health Care from HerKare

    In summary, there are three types of estrogen—estradiol, estrone, and estriol— but estradiol is the most important one to know about. It’s important for women’s health and controls a lot of important functions, including the menstrual cycle and menopause. Women may experience a variety of symptoms due to low estradiol levels. To find out more about your own estradiol levels, you can discuss your symptoms with our providers. There are many treatment options for low estradiol levels, including hormone replacement therapy and lifestyle changes. At HerKare we understand our patients’ unique needs. We work with you to provide hormone care and help you feel your best. So make an appointment at one of our clinics today and let us help you manage your health.

    Long COVID May Change Your Period

    Long COVID May Change Your Period

    You may have heard of “long COVID” – the term used to describe the lingering effects that some people experience after contracting the coronavirus. Now, new research suggests that long COVID may also change your menstrual cycle. Small studies and anecdotal evidence has found that many women who contracted COVID and experience long COVID symptoms may notice several changes to their periods. While more research is needed to confirm these findings, they suggest that long COVID may have far-reaching consequences for women’s health. While we’ve discussed some of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on women’s periods, new evidence suggests that long COVID may cause even more disruptions to your cycle. We’ll discuss the evidence in this article.

    If you’re suffering from symptoms, make an appointment with our providers.

    What is Long COVID?

    Woman drinking coffee thinking about how long COVID has affected her menstrual cycle

    Long COVID can cause symptoms for months after infection and might also cause changes to your period.

    Long COVID, also known as post-COVID conditions, is a term used to describe the health effects that people who have had COVID-19 may experience long after they have recovered from the virus. While most people recover from their symptoms after about two weeks, long COVID symptoms can go on for months. Symptoms include:

    • Fatigue
    • Body aches
    • Shortness of breath
    • Loss of taste or smell
    • Joint pain
    • Brain fog
    • Ongoing heart and lung issues

    These symptoms generally start with a COVID infection and continue for months, with a small number of people experiencing symptoms for even a year or more.

    Long COVID Might Affect Your Menstrual Cycle

    Many women notice slight changes in their periods after a COVID-19 infection. However, the virus may cause long-term effects on your menstrual cycle. With long COVID symptoms, many women report changes to their periods long after the infection clears up. Obviously, this can be quite concerning for many people. While experts are still studying what long COVID has to do with menstrual changes, many believe it is due to the extra stress on the body, which can affect your periods and hormones.

    As always, keep an eye out for sudden menstrual changes and talk to our providers about concerning changes. For instance, if you bleed for longer than seven days or experience seriously heavy bleeding, it’s often best to seek medical attention. Remember, even though long COVID is an ongoing issue for many people all over the world, there are a variety of ways to manage its effects – so don’t hesitate to reach out for help from our women’s health care providers!

    Long COVID May Affect Period Cycle Length

    Long COVID may change your menstrual cycle length. There are several small studies and anecdotal evidence that show that cycle length changes are pretty common after they contract COVID. This means the cycle may be longer or shorter than normal for the person. These effects may become longer-term for those who experience long COVID symptoms. Scientists are still studying long COVID and its effects on many aspects of our health, so if you’re worried about changes to your cycle length, speak to your doctor for information and advice.

    You May Miss Your Period After COVID

    We know that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted almost every area of our lives, and it seems like something new is being discovered about it every day. Recently, experts have reported that some women may miss a period after contracting the virus. Some continue to suffer from irregular periods or frequently missed periods if they experience long COVID symptoms. This may be due to immune responses to the coronavirus.

    Long COVID May Affect Your Flow or Increase Clots

    It’s common to notice changes in your menstrual flow or the number of clots during your period when you experience long COVID, sometimes known as long-haul COVID. These changes can include heavier periods or an increase in the number of clots. Some other women notice breakthrough bleeding if they’re on birth control or spotting between periods. In rarer cases, women report their periods are lighter than before contracting the virus. It is important to be aware of any changes you are experiencing and seek medical attention if needed as this can also be an indicator of something more serious going on with your health.

    Long COVID Symptoms May Get Worse Around Your Period

    Long COVID symptoms can be especially challenging to manage if they vary in intensity throughout the month. It is increasingly common for women with long COVID to have worse symptoms around the time of their period. This may mean more intense fatigue and brain fog, as well as worsened breathing, muscle, and joint pain, all of which are common features of long COVID. This may be due to combined symptoms of long COVID and premenstrual symptoms. It may also be that hormone changes throughout your cycle could make long COVID worse.

    What to Do If You Notice Long COVID Symptoms and Changes to Your Period

    If you think you may be suffering from long COVID and menstrual problems, the best thing to do is contact your doctor. Be sure to keep track of your symptoms and provide a detailed account of how long they have been affecting you. Your doctor will assess your condition and recommend any tests or exams required for further evaluation. Changes to your period should always be evaluated by a medical professional to rule out serious health conditions.

    Additionally, you might benefit from joining support groups for managing post-COVID effects. You can also reach out to family and friends for assistance as they may be able to provide comfort, listen, and offer advice on how best to cope with the symptoms. Remember, there is no need to go through this alone, so don’t hesitate to seek help if needed.

    Women’s Health Care from HerKare

    Long COVID can have a wide range of potential impacts on your health, including your menstrual cycle. If you’re suffering from period changes and other symptoms, book an appointment with your local HerKare clinic today. Our team are here to provide advice and support, helping you not only check up on physical health issues but also offer mental wellbeing support during these tough times. Remember, it’s not just about the physical manifestations of long COVID – look out for changes in mood and sleeping habits too. Above all else seeking professional help is always a smart course of action when it comes to health concerns such as these. Make an appointment today!

    Signs You Need Hormone Imbalance Treatment

    Signs You Need Hormone Imbalance Treatment

    Hormones are chemical messengers that work throughout your body, with the body producing over 50 different hormones for many different things. Sex hormones – estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone – are three types of hormones that are really important for your overall health and how you feel on a day-to-day basis. They are also commonly thrown off balance, especially in the lead up to menopause. If your hormones are out of whack because of menopause or other issues, you may need hormone imbalance treatment to correct them, which can relieve your symptoms and reduce risks for some health issues. Of course, this means knowing the signs of a hormone imbalance and making an appointment with our providers to talk about treatment options. In this blog, you’ll learn some common signs you may have a hormonal imbalance and what treatment options are available.

    Mother and adult daughter happy after getting hormone imbalance treatment.

    Hormone imbalance treatment can help you feel your best and protect your health.

    If you’re struggling with menopause symptoms, get in touch with our team to schedule an appointment. We can help you treat your symptoms and get back to normal as soon as possible.

    What is Hormone Imbalance Treatment?

    Hormone imbalance treatment is basically how we treat people whose hormones are out of balance. Hormone imbalances can be caused by even very small changes in how many hormones your body produces. Keep in mind that sex hormones estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone all are supposed to keep each other in check. If you have too much or too little of one or more, then you have a hormonal imbalance that may require treatment to help with symptoms and health effects.

    In a woman’s life, there are several times when hormones naturally get thrown off balance: puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. Menopause is a really common time when you may need hormone imbalance treatment because your hormones become less consistent and start to decline. During your pre-menopausal years, your hormones stay pretty consistent. They go through a basic cycle, which is what controls when your period starts and stops and when you ovulate. However, in menopause your hormone levels may look more like a rollercoaster that is gradually trending downward. This can cause many symptoms that hormone imbalance treatment can alleviate.

    Who Needs Hormone Imbalance Treatment?

    How do you know if you need hormone imbalance treatment? Practically anyone who is suffering from the effects of unbalanced hormones could benefit from hormone imbalance treatment. Changes in your hormones frequently cause a variety of symptoms that can prove disruptive to everyday life. If you notice these signs, make an appointment with our providers to talk about your symptoms and get a diagnosis. From there, we can discuss treatment options that work best for your individual circumstances.

    You Might Need Hormone Imbalance Treatment if You Have These Symptoms

    There are many different signs and symptoms of a hormone imbalance to pay attention to. Some symptoms of hormone imbalances in women include:

    • Hot flashes
    • Night sweats
    • Menstrual changes
      • Irregular periods
      • Heavy periods
      • Frequent periods
      • Infrequent/missed periods
    • Vaginal atrophy (thinning of the vaginal tissues)
      • Vaginal burning/itching
      • Painful sex
      • Urinary frequency
      • Frequent UTIs
    • Vaginal dryness
    • Low libido
    • Weight changes
    • Acne
    • Infertility
    • Depression
    • Anxiety
    • Difficulty sleeping
    • Fatigue
    • Hair loss
    • Hair growth on the face

    Keep in mind that many of these symptoms can also be attributed to other health conditions. That’s why it’s so necessary to see a doctor to identify the root cause. If it is caused by your hormones, you may need hormone imbalance treatment.

    How Do Doctors Diagnose Hormone Imbalances?

    The first step to getting the right care for a hormone imbalance is to talk to a doctor. Our providers can help find underlying causes of your symptoms and offer personalized treatment solutions for you. If you think you have a hormone imbalance, our team will discuss your symptoms and medical history. Diagnosing a hormone imbalance generally starts there to rule out other causes of your symptoms. In some cases, we may also recommend a blood test to check the hormone levels in your blood for imbalances.

    Health Risks of Unbalanced Hormones

    Hormones play a lot of important roles in the body. Sex hormones in particular control processes like:

    • Reproduction
    • Sex drive
    • Bone growth
    • Muscle growth
    • Body fat distribution

    As such, there are many potential health issues that can come with imbalances in estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. For instance, when hormones start to fluctuate and decline around the time of menopause, these changes can increase your risk for osteoporosis, heart disease, and stroke.

    Hormone Imbalance Treatment Options

    There may be many ways to treat your hormone imbalance, like following healthy lifestyle changes. However, by far the most common treatment option is hormone replacement therapy. This involves taking hormone medications to bring your levels back into normal, balanced ranges.

    Hormone Replacement Therapy

    There are many different options for hormone replacement therapy if you’re suffering from a hormone imbalance. Our providers typically prescribe FDA-approved bioidentical hormone therapy rather than synthetic hormones, as they’re identical to the type of hormones your body produces.

    If you’re experiencing symptoms of a hormone imbalance due to menopause, then we may recommend estrogen replacement therapy (with or without progesterone) or testosterone replacement therapy. Both can work effectively to reduce symptoms of menopause.

    Estrogen Replacement Therapy

    Estrogen replacement therapy is by far the most popular treatment for hormone imbalances during menopause. This is because most menopause symptoms are caused by declining estrogen levels in your body as your ovaries start to produce less. If you’ve had a hysterectomy and no longer have a uterus, then we may prescribe estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy. This can treat your symptoms with few side effects and health risks.

    If you still have your uterus, then you will receive combination therapy. This means the hormone imbalance treatment includes both estrogen and progesterone. Progesterone is necessary to keep endometrium (the lining of the uterus) growth in check to reduce the risk of uterine cancer.

    In some cases, we may prescribe vaginal estrogen. This is a type of hormone replacement therapy used in the vagina and provides a lower dose of hormones to the area. Generally, vaginal estrogen only works for symptoms like vaginal dryness and atrophy and likely won’t help if you’re suffering from other symptoms like hot flashes or mood changes.

    Testosterone Replacement Therapy

    Sometimes, we may recommend testosterone replacement therapy if your testosterone levels are too low. Low testosterone in women is more common as you reach menopause and can also cause many of the symptoms listed in the above section, like low sex drive. Testosterone replacement therapy during menopause may help with your symptoms if estrogen options aren’t working or if you can’t use estrogen replacement therapy because of your medical history or other issues.

    Bring Your Hormones Back into Balance with HerKare

    Our team at HerKare is here to provide you with personalized healthcare solutions if you’re struggling with unbalanced hormones. We offer support through perimenopause and menopause so you can feel your best. Using hormone replacement therapy optimized to your needs, we can ease the effects of menopause so you can keep living your best life. It’s really easy to get started, just make an appointment and our team will help get to the bottom of your symptoms and provide custom treatment options.

    Does Estrogen Replacement Therapy Stop Menopause?

    Does Estrogen Replacement Therapy Stop Menopause?

    If you’re experiencing menopause symptoms, our providers may recommend estrogen replacement therapy to alleviate your symptoms. Many women find relief from bothersome symptoms like hot flashes, mood changes, and sleep disturbances commonly caused by menopause. This has led to many women wondering if estrogen replacement therapy actually stops or delays menopause. The short answer is no, but we’ll explore this more in this blog.

    Women smiling because estrogen replacement therapy stopped their menopause symptoms

    Estrogen replacement therapy won’t stop menopause, but it can stop your menopause symptoms.

    If you’re suffering from menopause symptoms, our team provides personalized treatment plans to help you feel your best. Make an appointment today to discuss your symptoms with our healthcare providers.

    Can Estrogen Replacement Therapy Prevent or Delay Menopause?

    Since estrogen replacement therapy can often stop a lot of the symptoms of menopause, you might be wondering if it actually stops menopause. The answer is no. Estrogen replacement therapy doesn’t stop or delay menopause. Menopause is a natural process that women go through, not a condition that you can “cure.” So, even if you use HRT to help with menopause symptoms, you’re still technically in menopause.

    Think of it like people with diabetes. They use insulin to control blood sugar levels. However, they are still diabetic even when they use insulin, as the medicine just helps control the effects and symptoms of diabetes. Menopausal women use estrogen replacement therapy to increase estrogen levels so they feel better during menopause and combat their symptoms.

    Understanding Menopause and What Estrogen Replacement Therapy Is

    To understand why estrogen-based hormone therapy doesn’t stop menopause, it’s important to first explain exactly what menopause is. You might know that menopause is when your periods stop for 12 consecutive months and that you can no longer get pregnant after reaching menopause. You might also know a lot of the common symptoms of menopause, like hot flashes, mood changes, and vaginal dryness. However, let’s explore exactly what menopause is.

    Menopause typically occurs between ages 45 and 55. It happens when your ovaries stop producing female hormones estrogen and progesterone. This stops your menstrual cycle, so you no longer release eggs for fertilization. So, menopause is determined by your ovaries, not by the amount of estrogen and progesterone in your body. Low estrogen and progesterone levels are just a side effect of menopause.

    What is Estrogen Replacement Therapy Used for in Menopause?

    If estrogen replacement therapy doesn’t stop menopause, then why do so many menopausal women use it? The primary reason you might use HRT during menopause is to fight common symptoms that can interfere with your life and make it difficult to engage in your daily activities. Low estrogen levels in your body cause most of the symptoms you might associate with menopause. With estrogen replacement therapy, you can increase the amount of estrogen in your blood to relieve these symptoms. Having more estrogen in your body can also reduce several health risks associated with low estrogen levels.

    Hormone Therapy Helps with Symptoms Associated with Low Estrogen

    There are many symptoms you might experience during menopause, including:

    • Hot flashes
    • Night sweats
    • Insomnia
    • Mood changes
    • Depression
    • Anxiety
    • Weight gain
    • Vaginal dryness

    A lot of these symptoms can be attributed to declining estrogen levels in your body during menopause. Since estrogen plays important roles throughout the body, it can throw a lot of things out of whack, which explains a lot of the symptoms you might experience. However, the good news is that hormone therapy can bring your hormones back into balance to help with a lot of these symptoms so you can live your life without many of these often debilitating symptoms.

    Estrogen Replacement Therapy Can Reduce Health Risks During Menopause

    Another reason you might consider starting estrogen replacement therapy during menopause is that it may reduce some of the health risks of menopause while you take it. It’s important to note that most of the time doctors will only prescribe HRT if you’re experiencing symptoms that bother you, but another potential benefit is that increasing estrogen in your body may reduce risks for common conditions during menopause like osteoporosis. Of course, like other medications it can also increase your risks for some health issues, so it’s important to weigh the benefits and risks with our healthcare professionals. However, if you’re healthy and a good candidate for HRT, then you may notice some health benefits during menopause as well.

    What Affects Menopause Age?

    If estrogen replacement therapy doesn’t affect when menopause starts, then what does? There are many different factors that can affect the age at which you hit menopause. However, you don’t have a lot of control over it. For instance, a lot of it comes down to genetics. You’re pretty likely to reach menopause at the same age as your mother did. Lifestyle factors can also play a role. For example, women who smoke tend to hit menopause earlier than women who don’t, while women who have a high BMI might reach menopause a little later because fat can produce some estrogen.

    Why You Might Not Want to Delay Menopause

    With the symptoms you might experience, it’s understandable if you’re looking for a way to delay menopause. However, keep in mind that that might not be the best option. Delaying menopause past the age of 55 is also known as late onset menopause. Late onset menopause comes with many potential health consequences. For instance, it can increase your risk for breast cancer, endometrial cancer, and ovarian cancer.

    Instead of looking for ways to delay menopause, talk to our providers about how you can reduce your symptoms during menopause instead. As we’ve mentioned, hormone replacement therapy can be a really effective tool for managing your menopause symptoms so they don’t interfere with your everyday life. Increasing your estrogen levels won’t stop menopause, but it can help reduce or relieve symptoms like hot flashes. We use FDA-approved bioidentical (not synthetic) hormones to treat menopause symptoms and help you feel your best.

    Fight Menopause Symptoms with Our Team at HerKare

    Our team at HerKare offers healthcare solutions for menopause. We work with you to find the root cause of your symptoms and provide treatment customized to you. Through bioidentical hormone replacement therapy solutions, you can enjoy symptom relief during menopause so you can live your best life. As a clinic operated by women for women, we’re dedicated to finding options that are convenient and easy for you. We listen to your concerns and then work with you to find solutions that fit your needs. Get started today – book an appointment to talk to our providers about your symptoms.

    Hormone Replacement Therapy Can Improve Your Sex Life

    Hormone Replacement Therapy Can Improve Your Sex Life

    Menopause comes with a lot of changes, some good (like an end to pesky PMS symptoms) and some pretty frustrating (like hot flashes). One change that many women notice around the time of menopause is a decrease in their sex drive and sexual satisfaction. This can create a huge issue with maintaining a healthy sex life and intimacy with your partner. As a result, many women really suffer from this change. Yet, very few talk about the issue with their doctor. Unfortunately, this means that many people go without treatments that have been shown to improve sex drive during menopause, like hormone replacement therapy.

    Woman smiling because hormone replacement therapy helped improve her sex drive

    Improve your sex life during menopause with hormone replacement therapy.

    Hormone replacement therapy is a popular treatment prescribed for all kinds of menopause symptoms, including things like hot flashes, night sweats, and mood changes. Hormone therapy can also be really effective at boosting sex drive and improving sexual satisfaction for a more fulfilling sex life during menopause. Keep reading to see all the ways that hormones can affect sex during menopause.

    If you’re experiencing low libido or other menopause symptoms, help is available from our team – make an appointment now at one of our convenient locations.

    Low Sex Drive? Hormone Replacement Therapy Can Help

    One menopause symptom that a lot of people don’t talk about is low sex drive. However, it’s really common and often treatable. According to one study, only about half of women ages 57 to 73 were sexually active, with those that were on average having sex less than twice a month. Also, an estimated 30% to 70% of menopausal women suffer from low sex drive. Low libido during and after menopause is a huge problem that affects a lot of women, so you’re not alone if you notice it’s hard to get in the mood, have a difficult time getting aroused, or even find that you avoid sex altogether. However, if you do notice these issues, know that hormone replacement therapy may improve your libido so you can enjoy more frequent and more satisfying sex.

    Many studies have found that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can improve sexual dysfunction in women during menopause. For instance, one study from 2007 looked at some of the health and quality of life effects for women using estrogen and progesterone hormone replacement therapy. In the study, the women using HRT reported a 44% increase in sexual interest compared to the placebo group. Therefore, you may notice a significantly higher sex drive after beginning hormone replacement therapy during menopause.

    What Causes Low Sex Drive During Menopause?

    There are many reasons you may notice you’re less interested in sex around the time of menopause. Contributing factors include hormone fluctuations and other menopause symptoms that can interfere with a healthy sex life. HRT may improve issues from both of these groups so you can enjoy the sex life you want.

    Low Hormone Levels

    A lot of hormones play a role in sex, including the big three that decline during menopause – estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone. During perimenopause, these hormones will start to fluctuate, sometimes being higher or lower. Slowly as you reach menopause, overall levels of these hormones will decline. These changes are responsible for a lot of the symptoms you might experience during menopause, including low sex drive and even pain and discomfort during sex. This is also why hormone replacement therapy is often a treatment for low libido during menopause.

    Estrogen affects sex in a few ways. For one, low estrogen levels can lead to symptoms that might interfere with your libido, like sleep and mood disturbances. Estrogen also plays an important role in blood flow to the vagina. With low estrogen levels during menopause, many women experience vaginal dryness, shrinking of the vaginal tissues, and even clitoral atrophy, which is where the clitoris can become smaller and doesn’t respond as well to stimulation.

    Testosterone also plays a role in a healthy sex life for women. Many women suffer from low testosterone around the time of menopause, which affects sexual desire and arousal. There is a ton of research out there showing that low libido is a symptom of low testosterone in both men and women. Researchers aren’t exactly clear why, but the evidence is pretty overwhelming. As such, as your testosterone levels decline during menopause, you might find it really difficult to become interested or aroused for sex.

    Finally, progesterone is another hormone that declines during menopause. Researchers are still looking into how progesterone affects sexuality. However, many experts do believe it likely plays some role in sex drive and sexual satisfaction, which can explain why lower progesterone levels during menopause are also associated with sexual dysfunction in women.

    Menopause Symptoms

    Menopause can also indirectly affect your sex life through other common symptoms. It can be hard to feel sexy or get in the mood when you’re suffering from a lot of uncomfortable symptoms, and menopause may come with a lot. For instance, some menopause symptoms that many women say interfere with their sex life include:

    • Insomnia
    • Hot flashes and night sweats
    • Vaginal dryness
    • Depression
    • Anxiety

    During this time in your life, you might also notice weight gain and changes to your health, which can impact your sex life, too. With body changes, many women struggle to feel attractive, which can make it difficult to be interested in sex. Also, health changes like struggling with heart problems, high blood pressure, and urinary incontinence often interfere with your libido. Therefore, there are a lot of factors that may be working together to interfere with your sex life.

    Types of Hormone Replacement Therapy That Can Boost Sex Drive

    There are several types of hormone replacement therapy that can improve your sex life during menopause, including estrogen replacement therapy and testosterone replacement therapy.

    Estrogen Replacement Therapy

    Estrogen replacement therapy increases estrogen levels in your body during menopause. If you still have your uterus, then it will be combined with progesterone replacement therapy to prevent an overgrowth of the endometrial tissue in your uterus. If you’ve had a hysterectomy, then we may recommend estrogen only options for hormone replacement therapy.

    Estrogen replacement therapy can improve many symptoms of menopause that might affect your sex life. For instance, estrogen can increase blood flow to the vagina and clitoris, improve sleep and mood changes, as well as banish hot flashes and night sweats, all of which can affect your sex drive and sexual satisfaction.

    Testosterone Replacement Therapy

    In some cases, we may recommend testosterone replacement therapy as well. If estrogen-based HRT doesn’t improve your sexual symptoms, then testosterone may. Several studies have found that testosterone has a beneficial effect on libido and arousal in women. Even small increases in testosterone levels in your body can increase sex drive, so our team may prescribe testosterone alone or in addition to estrogen based HRT if you’re suffering from low libido during menopause.

    When to Talk to Our Providers About Hormone Replacement Therapy for Low Libido

    Keep in mind that sex is different for everyone, with sex drives varying quite a lot from person to person. Just because one of your friends is having sex every single day and you’re not doesn’t mean that there’s something wrong with you. However, if you do notice that your libido is lower than it used to be and that bothers you, then it’s time to talk to our providers about treatment solutions we can offer.

    Also, remember that sex shouldn’t hurt, so that’s usually a pretty good indicator that you might benefit from treatment. Vaginal dryness and atrophy can create a lot of friction and discomfort during sex. These issues are really common during menopause, but know that there are options to help you feel comfortable and enjoy sex again. Hormone replacement therapy is a great option for improving your natural lubrication and the elasticity in your vaginal tissues to restore the pleasure during sex. The first step to enjoying a better sex life during menopause is to contact our team to discuss treatment options that work well for you.

    Hormone Replacement Therapy Solutions for Women from HerKare

    Improve your health today with HerKare. We offer personalized treatment solutions for menopause and other women’s health issues. Our providers work with you to find options that fit your needs. Get HRT for your menopause symptoms to improve your health and well-being. We offer FDA-approved bioidentical HRT to bring your hormones back into balance. Get in touch now to schedule your first appointment.

    Announcement

    It is with heavy hearts that we announce that Dr. Sridevi Panchamukhi will be discontinuing her affiliation with HerKare. Dr. Panchamoukhi’s last day with HerKare was Monday, March 27, 2023. As a patient you may obtain copies of your medical records or arrange transfer of your medical records to another physician. HerKare Physician Group, PLLC will continue to maintain your medical records. You may reach out to records@synergenx.com to obtain copies of your records. We wish Dr. Panchamoukhi the very best.