by Melanie Remy | Nov 5, 2021 | Hormone Replacement Therapy, Menopause
Many women notice that their sex drive starts to decline over time, particularly after menopause. In some cases, this may be due to lower testosterone levels. Testosterone is an important hormone in your body that plays a key role in libido. Some studies suggest that testosterone replacement therapy may help women improve low sex drive due to testosterone deficiency.
Testosterone replacement therapy may help increase your sex drive if you’re suffering from testosterone deficiency.
As we age, sex hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone start to decline. Testosterone is mostly made in your ovaries, though your adrenal glands, fat cells, and skin cells may also produce some testosterone. While women produce a lot less testosterone compared to men (about 1/10 to 1/20 the amount), low testosterone levels for women can still impact your health and your sex life.
Testosterone in Women
While we commonly think of testosterone as a male hormone, women also need testosterone for many reasons. Testosterone is necessary for producing red blood cells, maintaining bone density, and also plays an important role in sex drive. When it comes to libido, the hormone testosterone can act on our brains to increase sexual thoughts and desires. It can also increase blood flow to the genitals to enhance sensitivity in the vagina and clitoris. This may also affect libido as well as sexual satisfaction.
However, testosterone levels begin to decline as we age, particularly as we reach the perimenopause state in the late 30s and 40s. During this time, the ovaries start to slow down hormone production for testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone. This can cause hormone levels to fluctuate and gradually decline leading up to menopause. With lower testosterone levels in your body, you might experience symptoms like low libido. Researchers have found a connection between low testosterone in women and lower sex drive. Studies have even found that women with low testosterone may have less sex on average than those with normal testosterone levels. Because of this connection, many women’s hormone care programs include testosterone to help improve sex drive and overall quality of life.
How Does Testosterone Replacement Therapy Affect Sex Drive?
Low libido due to testosterone deficiency can be distressing for many women. Some people experience stress and even relationship problems because of libido changes. Therefore, decreased sex drive can affect your quality of life in many ways. Many people mistakenly believe that low sex drive is a normal part of aging, but this isn’t necessarily true. Low sex drive can be caused by treatable conditions, like hormone changes during menopause. For instance, testosterone replacement therapy may help improve your symptoms.
Researchers are still studying the effects of testosterone replacement therapy for women. However, several studies have examined the link between testosterone and sex drive in women with interesting results. Studies have found that testosterone replacement therapy can increase several factors of sex drive and sexual satisfaction for postmenopausal women with low testosterone. Research suggests that testosterone can increase sexual desire, arousal, orgasmic response, pleasure, and even self-image based on interview responses. After beginning testosterone, many study participants also feel less distressed about their sexual function. Therefore, the evidence suggests testosterone therapy may help women who experience severely low sex drive after menopause.
The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) recognizes that testosterone replacement therapy for women may help some women improve sexual function. While testosterone for women is an off-label use, doctors may prescribe it to help with sex drive and sexual function. If you begin using testosterone therapy, NAMS recommends using the lowest dose for the shortest amount of time to help with symptoms. They also recommend discussing the risks and benefits thoroughly with a medical provider. After discussing the particulars, you and our doctors may determine to use testosterone therapy for better sex drive during and after menopause.
How Does Testosterone Replacement Therapy for Low Libido in Women Work?
If you’re experiencing low sex drive, there may be many different factors at play. Sexual desire, arousal, and satisfaction are all very complex. Therefore, pinpointing the cause of low sex drive can be difficult. There may even be several different causes of your low libido. It’s also necessary to note that libido can change for many reasons and a lower sex drive occasionally isn’t necessarily abnormal. For instance, if you have a lower libido during a stressful project at work, but your symptoms improve after you complete the project, then you may have nothing to worry about. However, if you have persistent low libido that worries you or interferes with your quality of life, you should talk to one of our providers about your symptoms.
If you’re suffering from low libido, one of the first steps most doctors recommend is ruling out other causes. For instance, some other reasons you might experience low sex drive that aren’t related to testosterone include:
- Low estrogen
- Low progesterone
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Fatigue
- Vaginal dryness
- Painful sex
- Relationship problems
- Some medications
- Other health problems like diabetes or hypothyroid
It’s important to identify underlying causes of low libido symptoms to find treatment solutions personalized to you. Some other treatments for severely low sex drive might include lifestyle changes, treating other health conditions, mental health treatments, or even couple’s counseling for relationship problems. For libido changes and other symptoms after menopause, our doctors may recommend beginning estrogen replacement therapy. If other treatments don’t work, or if no other explanation is found for your low sex drive, then it may be due to low testosterone levels. In these cases, you may benefit from testosterone replacement therapy.
Beginning Testosterone Replacement Therapy for Low Sex Drive
While considering potential causes of low sex drive, our providers may recommend performing a blood test to determine how much testosterone is in your blood. Normal testosterone levels for women are between 15 and 75 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dl). If you have low testosterone levels in your blood and you’re experiencing low sex drive that interferes with your life or causes you distress, our providers may recommend beginning testosterone replacement therapy.
The goal of testosterone replacement therapy is to bring testosterone levels to normal ranges. Because hormones like estrogen and testosterone hold each other in balance, it’s common to pair testosterone with estrogen replacement therapy as well to help prevent testosterone dominance. Therefore, in most cases your treatment program will include both estrogen and testosterone bioidentical hormones.
While taking testosterone treatments for sex drive, our team monitors your health to help optimize your treatment. We may track your symptoms, take blood draws to evaluate your testosterone levels, and assess other health markers like blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Our team also monitors you for common side effects of testosterone replacement therapy, such as increased facial and body hair, increased LDL cholesterol, or mild acne. Our goal is to help you feel your best and find treatment solutions that work for you and your lifestyle.
Quality Women’s Hormone Care at HerKare
Our team at HerKare offers quality health care for every stage of your life. After menopause, we understand that many of the symptoms can interfere with daily life. We offer personalized hormone care to help alleviate your symptoms so you can feel your best. Our clinics are owned and managed by women for women, and we believe in empowering you to address your health. We listen to you and work with you to get to the bottom of your symptoms. If you’re suffering from low sex drive or other menopause symptoms, help is available at our clinics. Make an appointment today to start the path toward feeling better.
by Melanie Remy | Oct 27, 2021 | Aesthetics
If you’re dealing with dull skin, hyperpigmentation, scarring, wrinkles, or other skin concerns, you might wonder what you can do to help revitalize your skin. Many of our patients mention skin concerns, but believe invasive cosmetic surgery is the only way to address signs of aging. Fortunately, innovations in skin care and aesthetic treatments mean there are many non-invasive and minimally-invasive options to help rejuvenate your skin and appearance. Medical-grade chemical peels from Jan Marini Skin Research® (JMSR) are incredibly effective and can help refresh and renew your skin with less downtime. If you’re looking for solutions for small imperfections, these chemical peels may help you improve the look of your skin and feel more confident.
What are Chemical Peels?
Chemical peels can help with skin resurfacing to make your skin look refreshed.
Before we explain some of the benefits of the JMSR peel systems, it’s important to understand what chemical peels are. You might already be familiar with them, but as a quick overview. Chemical peels use a chemical solution, typically mild acids, applied to the skin for exfoliation. They can provide a deeper exfoliation than many home skin care products like scrubs and exfoliating brushes.
Modern chemical peels really got their start in the 1800s as treatments from dermatologists for conditions like melasma and hyperpigmentation. However, there’s a lot of evidence that some forms of chemical peels have been around since ancient times. For example, ancient Egyptians may have used lactic acid in sour milk as a skin care treatment similar to a chemical peel. Therefore, peels have been around for quite a while. However, they’re quickly gaining popularity as a simple, minimally-invasive option for aesthetic treatments.
Chemical peels can help with many cosmetic concerns on the skin. Many people use chemical peels as aesthetic treatments for their face, neck, and décolleté. Peels can help treat a wide range of conditions and signs of aging, including:
- Wrinkles
- Fine lines
- Discoloration
- Hyperpigmentation
- Dullness
- Acne scarring
Our treatment providers can help you choose a peel suited for your specific concerns and help you determine if you’re a good candidate for this treatment.
How Can Chemical Peels Help Rejuvenate Skin?
So, how do chemical peels work? First, let’s talk about how your skin works. Your skin constantly turns over skin cells. The lower layers of your epidermis (the outermost layer of the skin) form new skin cells. As your skin makes new cells, the older cells begin to die, change shape, and get pushed toward the very top layer of the skin. Eventually the dead skin cells shed off to make way for newer cells. However, sometimes you can get a buildup of dead skin cells. Dead skin cell buildup can clog your pores, make your skin look duller, emphasize lines and wrinkles, and even hold onto extra melanin, which is the cause of hyperpigmentation.
A chemical peel sloughs off these dead skin cells to reveal newer, fresher skin. After chemical peel treatments, many people notice their skin looks brighter, smoother, more even, and also even more youthful. Chemical peels offer deeper exfoliation than many other types of exfoliants that you might use at home. Therefore, regular peels can be a great addition to your regular skin routine.
What are Jan Marini Medical-Grade Chemical Peels?
Now you know some of the particulars about chemical peels, let’s go over some of the benefits of the Jan Marini peel system specifically. Medical-grade chemical peels from Jan Marini Skin Research are only available to professionals. Our trained pros perform these treatments in-office to provide deep exfoliating through JMSR’s innovative chemical peel technologies. JMSR designed these peels to help improve the appearance of your skin with less downtime than many other types of treatments and many people see results in just one to three treatments.
Types of Chemical Peels from Jan Marini Skin Research
JMSR currently offers three medical-grade peels: Clarify, Transform, and Refine. Each peel consists of two steps. The first step includes a special acid mix formulated to help address specific skin concerns and provide deep exfoliation. The second step includes a leave-on retinol activator that contains retinol, peptides, and antioxidants to help boost effectiveness and start the healing process.
Clarify peels from Jan Marini Skin Research are primarily used for acne-prone skin and acne scarring. Refine peels offer overall skin rejuvenation. Transform peels are the most aggressive option for medical-grade chemical peels from Jan Marini. They can help address many different skin concerns, including pigmentation and sun damage. They also offer overall skin rejuvenation. Transform peels use a special blend of lactic acid, salicylic acid, and resorcinol in the first step to help slough off dead skin cells.
JMSR Peel from Our Aesthetics Providers: What to Expect
If you’re interested in medical-grade chemical peels from JMSR, our providers offer these treatments in-office. We may start with a complete consultation to understand your needs and expectations. We’ll also discuss your medical history and any conditions or medications you take that might prevent you from receiving a chemical peel treatment. We can also discuss the benefits and risks to help you decide whether you think a chemical peel is right for you. This is a highly personalized process based on your individual circumstances.
We will also discuss any pre-treatment and post-treatment instructions for your chemical peel. For instance, you may need to avoid using abrasive or exfoliating products for a certain amount of time before and after your peel. In addition, we may also recommend following up at home with JMSR skin care products to help protect your results.
Jan Marini Skin Research: Innovative Skin Care
Jan Marini Skin Research is a leader in skin care. They offer innovative and award-winning skincare products, including:
- Medical-grade chemical peels
- At-home chemical peels
- Face serums
- Cleansers
- Body scrubs
- Face masks
- Moisturizers
- Sunscreens
Products from JMSR are supported by peer-reviewed research that has appeared in academic journals throughout the world. Since 1994, they’ve been providing skin care products and technologies that have helped countless people get results and take care of their skin. That’s why our aesthetics professionals are proud to offer in-office treatments and at-home products from JMSR.
Chemical Peels & Aesthetic Treatments at HerKare
Our team at HerKare understands that part of feeling your best often means looking your best. We offer a wide range of aesthetic treatments to help you enhance your beauty and confidence. Whether you’re concerned about fine lines and wrinkles, hollow areas, fat pockets, or even hyperpigmentation, our team is here to help. We offer consultations to discuss your concerns and help you determine which aesthetic treatment options may help. Whether you’re interested in chemical peels, laser treatments, injectables, or something else, we provide quality care at our women’s clinics. Ready to get started? Book an appointment now to learn more and talk to one of our providers about aesthetic treatment options personalized to you.
by Melanie Remy | Oct 20, 2021 | Menopause, Wellness
An estimated 75% of women will experience at least one vaginal yeast infection during their lifetimes. Some women experience yeast infections more frequently during and after menopause, often due to hormone changes. In some cases, other conditions you might experience during menopause can also increase the risk for vaginal infections like yeast infections. If you’re experiencing yeast infection symptoms, schedule a gynecological services appointment with our team to discuss diagnosis and treatment. Let’s go over some information you should know about yeast infections to help protect your health.
What is a Vaginal Yeast Infection?
Vaginal yeast infections are an overgrowth of yeast. Gynecological services can help with diagnosis and treatment of yeast infections.
First and foremost, you might be wondering what a vaginal yeast infection is. Many of us have heard of them or even experienced them without really knowing what they are. To understand what a yeast infection is, it’s important to understand that the vagina is like its own ecosystem. A healthy vagina typically has an acidic pH with a balance of bacteria and yeast. Those bacteria and yeast actually help keep your vagina healthy! However, if the balance between them gets thrown off for one reason or another, then the yeast cells can start to multiply and take over. When this happens, you experience a yeast infection. If you think you have a yeast infection, gynecological services can help diagnose the problem and one of our providers can prescribe treatment for the yeast infection.
Symptoms of Yeast Infections
There are many signs that can point to a yeast infection. Some common symptoms include:
- Itching
- Swelling
- Redness
- Pain during sex
- Burning during urination
- Soreness
- Rash
- White, clumpy discharge (like cottage cheese)
- Watery discharge
However, it’s also important to keep in mind that other conditions can cause similar symptoms. This can make self-diagnosis tricky, which is why we recommend visiting one of our gynecological service providers if you’re experiencing yeast infection symptoms.
Causes of Yeast Infections
There are many potential causes of yeast infections. For instance, taking certain antibiotics can raise your risk for yeast infections because they can reduce the number of healthy bacteria in your vagina responsible for keeping yeast cells in check. Other common causes include stress, lack of sleep, and uncontrolled blood sugar if you have diabetes.
Hormone imbalances may also be a risk factor for yeast infections. Hormones can have a pretty big impact on your vagina’s delicate microbiome. Fluctuations in estrogen can lead to an overgrowth of yeast and eventually a yeast infection. Therefore, some women notice that they get yeast infections more often during perimenopause when hormone levels start to change. During this time period, vaginal atrophy is also pretty common, which can also increase your risk for vaginal infections. We’ll discuss these common menopause-related causes in more depth a little later.
In many cases it can be difficult to determine the exact cause of your yeast infection. Also, in some cases they may not be preventable. It’s important to talk to one of our gynecological treatment providers about your symptoms and what you can do to help avoid yeast infections. Some general tips involve following good hygiene practices, keeping your vulva clean and dry, and avoiding potentially irritating things like scented bath products. Our treatment providers can help determine other changes that may help your specific situation.
Why Get Gynecological Services for Yeast Infections?
Some women choose to self-diagnose and self-treat yeast infections with over the counter medications. However, our team generally recommends scheduling an appointment with a gynecological services provider if you think you have a yeast infection.
There are several reasons to visit one of our treatment providers for a yeast infection. Self-diagnosing a yeast infection can be quite difficult. Several studies have found that women frequently misdiagnose themselves with yeast infections. One study showed evidence that only 34% of the study participants who purchased over-the-counter yeast infection treatments had accurately diagnosed themselves with a yeast infection.
Many other conditions can have similar symptoms to yeast infections. For instance, bacterial vaginosis, urinary tract infections, or even allergies from soaps or skincare products. Seeing a doctor can help rule out other causes of your symptoms and help verify that you have a yeast infection. One way to diagnose a yeast infection is to perform a lab test of your discharge to look for an overgrowth of yeast cells.
In addition, most over-the-counter yeast infection treatments are geared toward the most common type of yeast that causes yeast infections. However, some women may have a yeast infection from another type of yeast. Therefore, OTC treatments may not work for you if your yeast infection is due to another strain of yeast. In these cases, one of our providers can help identify the specific type of yeast and prescribe treatments specifically for that type of yeast infection. This can help you get the right type of treatment rather than deal with ongoing symptoms from using the incorrect anti-fungal treatments.
Can Menopause Lead to Yeast Infections?
Vaginal yeast infections can occur at any age. However, some women notice they get more yeast infections during and after menopause. Some common conditions you may experience during menopause can increase your risk for yeast infections. In addition, some of the symptoms of menopause can make you more vulnerable to yeast infections.
Vaginal Atrophy
We mentioned vaginal atrophy earlier as a potential risk factor for vaginal infections. Vaginal atrophy occurs when the tissues of your vagina become thin and dry. It’s pretty common with low estrogen levels during and after menopause. Vaginal atrophy may increase the risk for yeast infections, as it can change your vagina’s pH, bacterial levels, and yeast levels. These changes from vaginal atrophy can make your vagina more vulnerable to yeast overgrowth and yeast infections.
Also, some women even mistake vaginal atrophy symptoms for yeast infections. Vaginal atrophy can cause itching, irritation, pain during sex, and several other similar symptoms to yeast infections. This can lead some women to believe they have a yeast infection when they don’t. Gynecological services such as a pelvic exam and lab testing of vaginal discharge can help determine if you have a yeast infection or if there may be other causes of your symptoms.
Other Common Conditions During Menopause that can Lead to Yeast Infections
Also, there are other conditions you might experience during menopause that can increase your risk for yeast infections. For instance, many women experience frequent urinary tract infections during menopause due to low estrogen levels and vaginal atrophy. The most common treatment for UTIs involves taking antibiotics, which, as we mentioned earlier, can increase the risk for yeast infections. If you’re struggling with frequent UTIs after menopause, you may also experience more frequent yeast infections due to the antibiotics.
In addition, poor sleep can lower your immune system and increase your risk for yeast infections. Many women experience poor sleep during menopause due to hot flashes and night sweats. Frequent sleep issues during menopause may lead to vaginal yeast infections as well. Therefore, there may be many factors at play if you’re experiencing yeast infections during menopause, such as menopause symptoms that can affect your health.
Gynecological Services Can Help Address Underlying Causes of Yeast Infections
Sometimes yeast infections just happen, but symptoms should go away with treatment. However, if you have four or more yeast infections per year, you might have chronic yeast infections. This is important to discuss with one of our women’s health care providers, as there may be underlying causes to chronic yeast infections.
Treating underlying conditions may help reduce the number of yeast infections you get. For instance, if you’re struggling with vaginal atrophy after menopause, we may recommend estrogen or vaginal creams to help moisturize and thicken vaginal tissues, which may help reduce the number of yeast infections you experience. In other cases, our providers may recommend taking yeast infection medications for a longer period of time to help with chronic yeast infections.
One of the first steps toward getting help for frequent yeast infections is scheduling an appointment for gynecological services from our team. Our providers can go over your medical history, symptoms, and perform examinations and tests to determine if there may be underlying causes to your yeast infections.
Quality Women’s Health Care and Gynecological Services at HerKare
Our professionals at HerKare are here to help you feel your best, whether you have chronic yeast infections or need preventative well woman care. We are a women’s health clinic owned and managed by women. We take time to listen and understand what you’re feeling to help provide quality care for a wide range of conditions, from gynecological concerns to menopause symptoms. Make an appointment today to discuss how we can help you address your health.
by Melanie Remy | Oct 5, 2021 | Hormone Replacement Therapy, Menopause, Wellness
Low estrogen levels during menopause may put you at risk for type 2 diabetes. Hormone changes during menopause can cause a lot of worrisome and frustrating changes, from disrupting symptoms to higher risks for certain health conditions. Diabetes is a common but serious condition that can impact your overall wellbeing, and estrogen may play a role in your risk factors for this health condition. In this article, we’ll explore the connection between estrogen and diabetes.
Low Estrogen During Menopause May Affect Your Health
Low estrogen can cause many symptoms and health risks, but treatment solutions are available from our providers.
Menopause is a natural stage of life for women, but that doesn’t mean it comes without any risks. Unfortunately, declining and fluctuating hormones during menopause can lead to many symptoms and health risks.
For instance, some of the symptoms you may experience because of low estrogen and progesterone during menopause include:
- Mood changes
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Vaginal dryness
- Sleep problems
- Weight gain
- Brain fog
Each of these symptoms can affect your physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. Many believe hormone levels are the cause of menopause symptoms.
Decreased estrogen can also affect your health in many different ways. After menopause, your risk increases for many health conditions. Some of these include heart disease, osteoporosis, and type 2 diabetes. Let’s look at how estrogen affects your risks for diabetes after menopause.
Low Estrogen May Increase Your Risk for Developing Type 2 Diabetes
What many women don’t realize is that their risk for type 2 diabetes increases after menopause. Everyone’s risk for diabetes goes up with age, regardless of gender. However, women may be more at risk for diabetes after menopause. Researchers have theorized for years that hormone changes during menopause may play a role in that risk. Several studies suggest there may be a link between type 2 diabetes and low estrogen levels. There may be several factors at play in the connection between estrogen and diabetes. Research is still ongoing, but there are some potential explanations backed by scientific study.
Estrogen May Affect How Your Body Uses Insulin
Diabetes is a condition where your blood sugar is too high. With type 2 diabetes, this is typically because your body makes less insulin and because your cells become more resistant to insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells use sugar, but if your cells are more insulin resistant, glucose (sugar) may stay in the blood unused for energy instead. Recent research led by a team from Texas A&M University found that estrogen may affect how your body responds to insulin.
Several studies have found a potential link between low estrogen and type 2 diabetes. Yet, many couldn’t explain why. The researchers found this may be due to estrogen’s effects on liver-specific FOXO1. FOXO1 is a protein that basically binds to DNA and helps turn certain genes on or off. This particular protein helps your body regulate insulin to control blood sugar. Estrogen may help reduce how much sugar your body produces by acting on this protein. As your estrogen levels decline during menopause, FOXO1 proteins may not work as effectively to control insulin levels, which may explain the increased risk for type 2 diabetes after menopause.
Estrogen & Glucagon
However, there may be other explanations behind why the risk for type 2 diabetes increases after menopause. For example, another study found that estrogen may actually target certain cells in your body that may help reduce diabetes risks. The researchers in this study found that estrogen may act on cells in the pancreas and gut that help improve your ability to use glucose. Some of the cells studied release a hormone called glucagon. Glucagon helps increase blood sugar to help prevent it from dropping too low, such as while you sleep, to help prevent hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). However, if your body releases too much glucagon, you may have chronically high blood sugar levels, which can lead to diabetes.
The study actually found that estrogen affects the cells responsible for making and releasing glucagon. They saw estrogen helped reduce glucagon production and increased GCP1 levels, which help increase insulin in your body, block glucagon secretion, and can also help you feel full. This is another way estrogen may help keep blood sugar levels in check and reduce the risks of type 2 diabetes. However, since estrogen levels decline during menopause, women may lose some of this protection against high glucagon levels.
Low Estrogen May Increase Visceral Fat in Your Body
You may know that obesity is a common risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes. However, many don’t realize that how fat is distributed in your body may also play a role in your risk for diabetes. For instance, some researchers believe that large amounts of visceral fat increases the risk for metabolic syndrome, which can cause insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Visceral fat is fat found in the abdominal cavity around your organs like the stomach, liver, and intestines. You might be wondering what this has to do with hormones and menopause. Well, lower estrogen levels after menopause can affect how fat is distributed in your body. You may have more visceral fat if you have decreased estrogen levels, increasing the risk for diabetes and many other health conditions.
Gaining more visceral fat doesn’t even necessarily mean that you gain weight. Hormone changes during menopause may simply affect how your body distributes fat. So, even if you don’t gain weight, you may find that you have more visceral fat after menopause, which can also increase your risk for diabetes.
Other Symptoms that Affect Your Blood Sugar
In addition, several of the symptoms of menopause can affect your blood sugar, which may increase your risk for type 2 diabetes. For instance, many women gain weight during menopause. Being overweight or obese can raise your risk for developing type 2 diabetes, as it can make you more resistant to insulin.
Poor sleep is another symptom many women experience during menopause that may affect your diabetes risks. Sleep deprivation from issues like insomnia or sleep disturbances from night sweats can negatively affect your blood sugar levels.
Therefore, there may be several different factors that affect your diabetes risk during menopause. Some of the symptoms you might experience during menopause may indirectly affect your risks.
Can Hormone Imbalance Treatment Help Reduce Diabetes Risk?
Fortunately, evidence suggests that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) during menopause may help reduce risks for diabetes. Several studies have looked at the effects of hormone replacement on diabetes risk with positive results.
HRT is a type of treatment many women use for symptoms of menopause. This treatment helps supplement your hormone levels as they start to decline during menopause. Generally, menopausal hormone therapy includes estrogen and progesterone, though women who have had a hysterectomy may only need estrogen. The goal of hormone therapy is to keep your hormone levels in ranges that help reduce menopause symptoms.
Another potential benefit of using HRT after menopause is that it may help reduce your risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Several studies suggest that estrogen or combination therapy may actually help prevent diabetes and also help with glycemic control. While most medical professionals recommend using HRT only if you have troubling menopause symptoms, reduced risk of type 2 diabetes may be a secondary benefit for some women. Our treatment providers can help you weigh the benefits and risks and help you decide if hormone imbalance treatment is right for you.
Quality Care and HRT Solutions for Women at HerKare
When you need holistic healthcare solutions, visit a HerKare clinic near you. We provide quality care for women at every stage of life. Whether you’re interested in discussing hormone therapy options for menopause or need preventative well woman care, our team is here to help. Our goal is to help you feel your best and help you prioritize your lifelong health. Make an appointment today to learn how our providers can help you address your health and wellness.
by Melanie Remy | Sep 27, 2021 | Wellness
The CDC estimates that over 73% of American adults are overweight. Most of us have heard of the many risks of being overweight, such as an increased risk for heart disease, diabetes, and even certain cancers. Carrying around extra pounds can also affect how many people feel about themselves, causing low self-esteem and other issues. If you’re ready to start your weight loss journey, you might wonder if there’s anything that can help you lose weight and shed fat. Lipotropic injections might be just the answer.
What are Lipotropic Injections?
The vitamins and amino acids in lipotropic injections may help with your weight loss strategies.
Lipotropic injections are a mix of vitamins and amino acids delivered by injection. This blend of vitamins and amino acids may help with weight loss. In most cases, lipotropic injections include a mix of B vitamins and amino acids that may help improve metabolism, energy, and the breakdown of fat in your body. The base for lipotropic injections is vitamin B12, which is an important vitamin for energy and metabolism.
While research is still ongoing for lipotropic injections and weight loss, many patients notice positive results after beginning a lipotropic injection treatment plan. Our providers generally recommend one injection each week for 12 weeks. It’s important to discuss the specifics of your situation with one of our treatment providers before beginning lipotropic injections.
How do Lipotropic Injections Work?
Of course, many of us have fallen for weight loss scams that promise amazing results with little delivery. So, what makes lipotropic injections different? For starters, unlike the products we just described, these treatments are overseen by treatment providers at our clinics.
Studies have found an association between certain vitamin deficiencies and being overweight. For instance, some research indicates that low B12 may increase the risk for obesity. Therefore, some researchers theorize that boosting these common deficiencies may help decrease risk factors for being overweight.
In addition, while research continues for lipotropic shots, evidence suggests that the ingredients in lipotropic injections may help increase metabolism and energy levels, both of which can be beneficial for weight loss.
Increasing Metabolism
One of the ways lipotropic injections may help with your weight loss goals is increasing metabolism. Specifically, the ingredients in lipotropic shots may help improve fat metabolism in the liver. These vitamins and amino acids may help the liver remove fat from the body, turn fat into energy, and also reduce fat production. Essentially, in some cases if your body doesn’t have the vitamins and amino acids it needs, the liver may not be very effective at processing fat from your diet. This can lead to unnecessary fat storage, which can increase weight and body fat percentage. Lipotropic injections can help improve this fat metabolism in the liver, which may aid with weight loss.
Boosting Energy Levels
Also, some people notice they have more energy after beginning lipotropic injection treatments. This is important, as when you’re dealing with low energy levels and fatigue, it can be hard to follow a lifestyle that promotes healthy weight.
Think about the last time you had less-than-stellar sleep at night. It likely felt like you were dragging yourself through the day. You might have reached for some sweets or comfort foods to help keep you going. Also, you likely didn’t work out that day (or not as much as you had planned) because you felt tired.
When we’re tired and have no energy, it can feel almost impossible to eat right and exercise. Many people unconsciously grab for foods that aren’t as healthy for one reason or another. For instance, you might be more likely to eat processed foods rather than cook a healthy meal from scratch because of the energy needed for cooking. In addition, sometimes our bodies crave sugar or carbohydrates for a quick energy source when we’re feeling drained. If this is a frequent occurrence, it might sabotage your weight loss goals. And let’s not even mention how hard it is to exercise regularly and to the proper intensity for weight loss if you feel exhausted all the time.
Fortunately, many of the vitamins and amino acids in lipotropic injections can actually help boost energy levels. For instance, one of the main ingredients in lipotropic injections is vitamin B12, which is also known by some as “the energy vitamin.” Boosting energy can make it easier to follow your weight loss plan.
Using Lipotropic Shots for Weight Loss
If you’re interested in beginning lipotropic injections for weight loss, the first step is scheduling an appointment to talk with one of our treatment providers. They can help you understand what you need to do for treatment, potential side effects, and discuss the treatments more in-depth based on your individual circumstances.
It’s also important to understand that lipotropic injections aren’t a substitute for weight loss strategies. These treatments may aid with your weight loss journey. They may help you burn fat easier and faster. However, it’s still important to follow a weight management program. You can talk to one of our doctors about your weight and recommended weight loss strategies based on your health and lifestyle.
Pairing Lipotropic Injections with Weight Loss Strategies
In most cases, if you’re taking lipotropic injections, you’ll need to follow weight loss programs for optimal results. Once again, this may vary depending on your personal situation. However, for most healthy adults, losing weight the healthy way includes exercising and eating a balanced diet. The CDC states that people who lose weight gradually are often more successful at maintaining a healthy weight after achieving their weight loss goals. For most people, this means aiming to lose one to two pounds a week.
Therefore, if you’re interested in beginning lipotropic injection treatments, it’s important to understand that these injections won’t do all the work for you. Instead, make sure you have a healthy weight goal in mind and a plan to achieve it. Lipotropic injections may help you burn fat when paired with weight management programs.
Are there Other Benefits of Lipotropic Injections?
Most people who start lipotropic injections primarily do so to help with weight loss and to help jump start fat burning. However, there are some other benefits you might notice after beginning this treatment. In addition to the benefits we’ve already mentioned (helping improve metabolism and energy), lipotropic injections may also:
- Boost memory and focus
- Improve mood
- Reduce water retention
- Improve liver detoxification
- Promote healthy hair, skin, and nails
Therefore, if you’re interested in lipotropic injection therapy, talk to one of our treatment providers to learn more and discuss your individual circumstances.
Weight Loss Strategies from HerKare Women’s Health Clinic
Our team at HerKare is here to help women improve their health. We believe in empowering women through quality healthcare. Whether you’re looking for lipotropic shots to help aid weight loss or need preventative well woman care, we’re here to help. Our team is here to help provide you with friendly, comfortable care so you can be proactive about your health. Book an appointment today at our women’s health clinic owned and operated by women for women.
