by SXHH Marketing | Feb 4, 2022 | Hormone Replacement Therapy, Menopause
If it seems like every time you look in the mirror you find more wrinkles and sagging, you might be searching for ways to stop the signs of aging on your skin. Many women experience what seems like accelerated signs of aging on their skin after menopause. However, we have some good news. Some recent evidence suggests that estrogen replacement therapy may help prevent some of the signs of aging and may promote healthy skin. Researchers are still studying the effects of estrogen on the skin, but many of the studies have been encouraging. Let’s talk about estrogen, menopause, aging, and your skin.
Why Our Providers May Recommend Estrogen Replacement Therapy
Estrogen replacement therapy may help with menopause symptoms and some studies suggest it may also help prevent some skin aging concerns.
First, let’s discuss why a hormone doctor may recommend estrogen replacement therapy. While everyone is different, one of the most common reasons our providers prescribe hormone therapy is to alleviate symptoms of menopause. Many menopause symptoms are unpleasant and can even interfere with everyday life. For instance, some of the symptoms you might experience during menopause include:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Mood changes
- Insomnia
- Low libido
- Vaginal dryness
- Weight gain
- Brain fog
Declining levels of estrogen during menopause are primarily to blame for these symptoms. Fortunately, many women find symptom relief through a hormone replacement therapy regimen. This is why our providers may recommend beginning estrogen replacement therapy during menopause.
Menopause may also have negative effects on your skin which can make you look older. For instance, after menopause skin thickness typically decreases by about 1% each year for the first five years after menopause. Collagen in your skin also tends to decrease by 2% each year for about 20 years after menopause. Low estrogen levels may also be responsible for some of these changes, which is why researchers are looking into the potential anti-aging effects of estrogen. Research is still ongoing, but much of the evidence so far is positive.
Estrogen Replacement Therapy May Have Beneficial Effects for Your Skin
There are many factors that can make our skin look older. Environmental, genetic, and hormone conditions can all contribute to common signs of aging. Declining hormone levels during and after menopause may contribute to issues like increasing number of wrinkles, deeper wrinkles, less elasticity, dryness, as well as other skin issues that tend to make us look older. There are many estrogen receptors in the skin, particularly in the skin on your face. This may explain some of the effects of menopause on your skin. However, some research indicates estrogen replacement therapy may help prevent wrinkles and other signs of aging.
For example, one 2005 study from Yale University looked at the effects of long-term estrogen therapy on wrinkles and skin rigidity. The researchers in the study found that women who used hormone therapy had fewer wrinkles, less severe wrinkles, and better skin elasticity.
This small study included eleven women who did not use hormone therapy after menopause and 9 women who did use hormone therapy long-term for menopause symptoms. All the women had similar characteristics that might contribute to wrinkles and skin rigidity, such as age, sun exposure, and tobacco use. The researchers had a plastic surgeon assess the appearance of the skin without knowing who was in the control group and who was in the hormone replacement therapy group. The women who didn’t use hormone therapy on average had more wrinkles, deeper wrinkles, and more rigid skin.
Based on the results, the researchers concluded that estrogen may promote skin health and may also prevent wrinkles and skin rigidity to help the skin look younger. While estrogen likely won’t reverse or erase signs of aging, it may offer some protection against wrinkles and other common skin concerns in menopausal women.
Estrogen’s Effects on the Skin
Estrogen may impact the look of your skin in many ways. Researchers are still studying the reasons why estrogen may prevent some signs of skin aging. Estrogen may affect skin cell production, collagen production, hydration, and thickness of your skin. All these factors can affect the appearance of your skin.
Estrogen Replacement Therapy May Improve Skin Cell Production
Some researchers believe that estrogen moderates the production of keratinocytes. These are skin cells that make up nearly 90% of the cells in the top layer of your skin. When we are young, skin cells are in a near-constant state of turnover. The dead skin cells slough off rapidly as the lower levels of your skin produce more new skin cells. However, this process tends to slow down as we age, and declining estrogen levels during menopause may play a role in this. Estrogen replacement therapy may help increase skin cell production which can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and dull skin.
Estrogen Replacement Therapy May Increase Collagen
Another way estrogen may help prevent signs of aging on your skin is through collagen production. Estrogen receptors may also act on the fibroblasts in the dermal layer of your skin. Fibroblasts are responsible for creating collagen, which provides the main support structure for your skin. As collagen production declines, the skin can start to sag and develop more wrinkles. However, estrogen may increase how much collagen your skin produces to help prevent these issues.
Estrogen May Improve Skin Hydration
Female hormones estrogen and progesterone can also improve hydration for the skin. For instance, hormones can affect how much sebum your body produces. Sebum is an oily substance that coats your skin and hair to help with moisturization and protection. As we enter menopause, sebum production can also slow down, leading to chronically dry skin. Dry skin can make wrinkles and fine lines look much deeper than they truly are. However, many researchers have found that estrogen replacement therapy can help increase hydration and moisture in the epidermis.
Estrogen Replacement Therapy May Increase Skin Thickness
Your hormones can also have a pretty big impact on how thick your skin is. Thinner skin tends to become more wrinkled, less elastic, dryer, and also more easily damaged. During our pre-menopausal years, the skin actually gets thinner at certain points of the menstrual cycle, particularly right before your period where your estrogen levels are at their lowest. Therefore, low estrogen levels during menopause may contribute to thinning skin as we age. Some studies have found that estrogen replacement therapy may increase skin thickness significantly after menopause.
Other Skin Care Tips for Menopause
Of course, there are many other things you can do to help take care of your skin during and after menopause. Estrogen isn’t the fountain of youth – even if it does help prevent some wrinkles, it isn’t a cure-all for aging. Hormones are only one part of what ages your skin over time. Embracing your skin as it changes and taking part in a good skincare regimen can also help keep your skin healthy in menopause.
For instance, you may experience dry skin after menopause. In these cases, it can help to switch to a milder cleanser and to moisturize more often and with heavier creams. Also, sun damage can lead to even thinner skin after menopause. Wearing sunscreen can help reduce sun damage that may cause issues like thinning skin, age spots, wrinkles, and even skin cancer. In addition, retinol products can help increase collagen, which may help with wrinkles or sagging skin. So, whether you’re taking bioidentical hormones for menopause or not, there are many things you can do to help your skin after menopause.
Talk to Our Health Care Specialists at HerKare
Our team at HerKare is here to help you feel like the best version of yourself. We empower you to take control of your health through convenient, affordable healthcare. We understand you want to feel and look your best at every stage of life, which is why we offer personalized care for everything from wellness exams to menopausal hormone therapy. You can trust us to listen to your concerns and work with you to find treatment options that work well for you. Make an appointment today to discuss your health and symptoms with our caring team of medical professionals.
by SXHH Marketing | Jan 28, 2022 | Aesthetics
Fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin are all common as we age. Yet, many people don’t want the downtime, expense, or unnatural results of cosmetic surgery. If you’re looking for non-invasive aesthetic treatments that offer natural results to address these common issues, radiofrequency microneedling may be a good option for you. This treatment uses your body’s natural healing process to improve the appearance of your skin. It’s a quick and simple procedure with practically no downtime to suit your busy lifestyle.
Aesthetic Treatments: What is Radiofrequency Microneedling?
Radiofrequency microneedling aesthetic treatments combine two powerful skin rejuvenating treatments into one.
Radiofrequency microneedling is one of the many aesthetic treatments available for boosting collagen and elastin. Collagen is a protein in your body that makes up the structure of your skin. Elastin is a protein responsible for keeping your skin flexible and elastic. This allows it to bounce back to its original position. For example, try pinching the skin on your hand or arm and pulling outward. When you let that skin go, it returns to its position against the bones and muscles. You can thank elastin for that.
Collagen is also necessary for proper healing. When your body detects a wound or injury, it increases collagen production. Collagen helps not only provide structure for your skin, but also helps with blood clotting.
Radiofrequency microneedling, also known as RF microneedling, is an aesthetic treatment that creates controlled micro injuries in the skin. This encourages your body to produce more collagen and elastin. The increased collagen and elastin production can help your skin look tighter, smoother, and more toned over time. RF microneedling combines two methods of increasing collagen and elastin. The radiofrequency waves produce heat that penetrates the deep layers of the skin where collagen and elastin production take place. The tiny needles create small channels in the skin to begin the healing process and kickstart collagen production. These channels can also help products penetrate deeper into the skin for better results.
There have been many studies assessing radiofrequency microneedling for its safety and effectiveness. One study published by the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery assessed several quality studies on RF microneedling aesthetic treatments. The researchers concluded that radiofrequency microneedling can be an effective treatment for many skin concerns.
Vivace Fractional Microneedle RF Aesthetic Treatments
Our team at HerKare uses the Vivace® Fractional Microneedle RF device to provide radiofrequency microneedling aesthetic treatments. This FDA-cleared device uses ultra-thin gold-tipped needles that the provider can adjust to different depths based on your skin, expected results, and the treatment area. The radiofrequency energy pulses through the needles to heat up the deeper layers of the skin. Because there are so many different settings, this device allows the providers at our women’s health clinic to personalize the treatment to you. It is also practically pain-free due to the robotic motor, which quickly and precisely inserts and extracts the microneedles from your skin while evenly distributing RF heat. The Vivace experience works well on most skin types, which is another great benefit of this RF microneedling option.
Who is a Good Candidate for RF Microneedling?
Like any other aesthetic treatment, radiofrequency microneedling isn’t for everyone. Our providers can help you determine if the Vivace aesthetic process might be right for you. In general, you might be a good candidate if you are in good overall health and if you have realistic expectations from the treatment. Our team at our women’s health clinic locations can help you weigh the pros and cons of this aesthetic treatment option based on your individual circumstances.
There are some factors that may mean Vivace fractional microneedle RF treatments are not a good option for you. You may need to avoid RF microneedling if you are currently taking Accutane or have taken the medication in the last six months. Also, if you have an active cold sore outbreak or a skin infection, we recommend waiting until you are fully healed. People with a history of poor wound healing, excessive scarring, or keloid scarring may not be a good candidate for these aesthetic treatments.
What Concerns Does Radiofrequency Microneedling Address?
Radiofrequency microneedling aesthetic treatments offer skin rejuvenation and can help with many skin concerns. This treatment may reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and large pores. It can also help firm and lift the skin. Many people also use RF microneedling to improve the look of scars and stretch marks. This aesthetic treatment is commonly used on the face but can also be used on other areas of the body, such as the neck and hands. It offers natural results because it uses your own natural collagen and elastin production to rejuvenate your skin.
What to Expect from RF Microneedling Aesthetic Treatments
If you’re interested in radiofrequency microneedling aesthetic treatments, it’s important to know what to expect. Our team can walk you through the particulars of the treatment based on your specific circumstances. However, it’s helpful to know some general information about RF microneedling treatments.
Before Treatment
Before the treatment we may recommend you stop taking certain medications (such as vitamin e supplements) or stop using certain skin care products, such as retinol creams. During your consultation, it’s important to tell our providers about all the medications you take, including over the counter medications, vitamins, and supplements. Also, we may need to know your normal skin care routine to determine if you need to make any changes in the days leading up to your treatment.
During RF Microneedling Aesthetic Treatments
The treatment itself typically takes just one to one and a half hours in office. The first step is to cleanse the skin and apply a numbing cream. Generally, the numbing cream sits for the first 30 to 45 minutes to allow it to take effect and reduce discomfort during the procedure. Our provider then uses the Vivace Fractional Microneedle RF device in the treatment area. Following the treatment, we may apply products to promote healing and collagen production.
Aftercare
After your treatment, you can typically return to your normal activities immediately, though you should avoid wearing makeup for at least a few hours. You also want to avoid direct sunlight for at least 24 hours, as your skin may be more sensitive. Also, we recommend avoiding vigorous exercise for 24 hours. After 24 hours, you can generally return your normal skin care routine, though you shouldn’t use deep exfoliation products or treatments for at least one week after treatment.
Results
Many people see some immediate smoothing and tightening on the skin after RF microneedling aesthetic treatments. However, the increased collagen production can continue for nearly six months. It can take up to three months from the last treatment to see full results and those results can last a few years. In many cases, you may need more than one treatment with the Vivace Fractional Microneedle RF for optimal results. Many people need three treatments four to six weeks apart, though treatment recommendations vary based on your individual circumstances. To help prolong results, many people need routine touch up treatments
Aesthetic Treatments at Our Women’s Health Clinic
Our team at HerKare understands that feeling your best often means looking your best. Enhancing your appearance with aesthetic treatments can help you feel more confident in your everyday life, which is why we offer aesthetic treatment options at our women’s health clinic. Our goal is to provide you with convenient, affordable treatments that offer natural-looking results. Make an appointment now for a consultation with our providers.
by SXHH Marketing | Jan 20, 2022 | Menopause, Wellness
January is Thyroid Awareness Month! To help raise awareness about thyroid disease, let’s talk about thyroid disorders and menopause. Thyroid disorders are incredibly common among women, and the risk for thyroid issues increases with age. Most cases of thyroid disorders occur in middle aged women, which is also typically when menopause occurs. In some cases, you may have both at the same time. Some women mistake thyroid disorder symptoms for menopause and vice versa. Also, thyroid issues can cause worse menopause symptoms. There are many ways thyroid disease and menopause can interact, which is why it’s important to talk to our women’s health care providers about your overall health. We offer diagnosis and treatment for both thyroid disease and menopause to help alleviate your symptoms and reduce other health risks associated with both thyroid disorders and menopause.
Our women’s health care providers can help you address symptoms of thyroid disorders and menopause.
Talk to Your Women’s Health Care Provider About Your Thyroid
The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of your neck, just above the collarbone. Its purpose is to produce thyroid hormones, which affect practically every cell in your body. Thyroid hormones are responsible for a wide range of functions in the body, including your metabolism and heart rate. The more thyroid hormone in your body, the higher your metabolism is and the higher your heart rate. However, thyroid disorders negatively affect normal functioning of the thyroid gland. Women are between five and eight times more likely than men to suffer from thyroid disorders. In fact, an estimated one in eight women will experience thyroid issues at some point in their lifetimes. Because the thyroid plays such a key role in your health, it’s important to talk to our women’s health care provider if you think you may be suffering from a thyroid disorder.
Types of Thyroid Disorders
Generally, thyroid disorders involve either an overactive or underactive thyroid. Overactive thyroids produce more thyroid than your body needs. Underactive thyroids produce less thyroid hormone than your body needs. Both can cause serious issues for your health, as well as a variety of symptoms that can interfere with your everyday life.
Hyperthyroid involves an overactive thyroid where you produce too much thyroid hormone. This essentially causes your body to speed up. For instance, with too much thyroid hormone circulating in your body, you may have an increase in metabolism to the point it creates health issues, like unexplained weight loss.
By contrast, hypothyroid is where you don’t produce enough thyroid hormone. With low thyroid, your body and its functions can start to slow down. One example is you may feel more tired than usual and feel like you need to sleep more. Just like hyperthyroidism, this can also negatively impact your health.
Autoimmune diseases are most commonly to blame for thyroid disorders in the U.S. The most common cause of hypothyroid is Hashimoto’s disease, which causes your body to develop antibodies that attack the thyroid gland. Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease that is the culprit for most cases of hyperthyroid in America. This disease causes your body to create an antibody that actually mimics thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which is responsible for boosting thyroid production when your body needs more. Because the antibody acts like TSH, it causes your body to produce too much thyroid hormone.
How Women’s Health Care Providers Diagnose and Treat Thyroid Disease
If you think you may have a thyroid disorder, talk to one of our women’s health care providers. We can help diagnose and treat both hypothyroid and hyperthyroid. In most cases, diagnosis starts with a simple blood test. Blood panels may look at many factors to assess whether you have a thyroid disorder. Thyroid tests may look at the amount of thyroid stimulating hormone in your blood, T3 & T4 (types of thyroid hormone) levels, and thyroid antibody levels. Diagnosis may also include thyroid scans and ultrasounds.
If you have a thyroid disorder, our women’s health clinic can also help with treatment. Treating hypothyroid typically involves taking medications that supplement your natural thyroid hormone levels. They are generally man-made versions of thyroid hormones and come in different forms, like pills or injections. In most cases, you will need hypothyroid treatment for the rest of your life to relieve symptoms and reduce some of the risks associated with low thyroid levels.
Treating hyperthyroid means reducing how much thyroid hormone is in your body. There are many approaches to this. Treatments from your women’s health care provider may include medicines that reduce thyroid production or reduce the effects of thyroid hormone in your body. In these cases, most people need lifelong treatment. Other potential options for hyperthyroid include radiation therapy to target and kill some of the thyroid cells and shrink the thyroid gland. Another option includes surgically removing part or all of the overactive thyroid gland.
Thyroid Disease and Menopause May Share Symptoms
Many women mistake thyroid issues for menopause, or vice versa. Thyroid disorders can mimic many of the same symptoms of menopause.
Some symptoms of hypothyroid include:
- Fatigue
- Cold intolerance
- Dry skin
- Constipation
- Libido changes
- Menstruation changes
- Moodiness
- Forgetfulness
- Unexplained weight gain
- Hair loss
- Depression
Some symptoms of hyperthyroid include:
- Hot flashes
- Insomnia
- Heat intolerance
- Unexplained weight loss
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- Racing heart
Heart palpitations
Anxiety
Muscle weakness
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You may have noticed when reading those lists that both hyperthyroid and hypothyroid have similar symptoms to menopause, namely mood changes, menstrual changes, hot flashes, insomnia, and libido changes. Many women also experience weight gain around the time of menopause, which is common for people with hypothyroid. Therefore, it may be easy to mistake symptoms of thyroid disorders for menopause.
In addition, thyroid disorders may make your menopause symptoms worse. In some cases, you may need to treat both your thyroid disease and your low hormone levels from menopause to alleviate your symptoms.
Any time you experience symptoms like temperature intolerances, hot flashes, mood changes, unexplained weight changes, or other similar symptoms, it helps to talk to your women’s health care provider. Our team can help find underlying causes of your symptoms and identify personalized treatment options that suit your lifestyle.
Talk about Risks of Thyroid Disease with Your Women’s Health Care Provider
Untreated thyroid disorders can cause major problems for your health. Thyroid disease can increase your risk for many other serious health conditions. For instance, hypothyroid can increase the risk for high cholesterol, heart disease, and depression. Hyperthyroid can also increase the risk for heart disease and may increase the risk for vision issues. One common side effect of untreated hyperthyroid is called Graves’ ophthalmopathy, which can cause eye pain, light sensitivity, double vision, and even vision loss.
Thyroid disease of any kind can increase the risk for goiter, which is where the thyroid gland becomes enlarged, even to the point where you can feel the lump in your neck or experience symptoms like difficulty swallowing, cough, difficulty breathing, and hoarseness. Our doctors are here to help you reduce your risks for your overall health and well-being.
Thyroid issues can also make menopause health risks worse. For instance, osteoporosis is a serious risk for women after menopause. Osteoporosis is where your bones become weaker and more brittle, increasing the risk for fractures. Both hyperthyroid and hypothyroid can also increase the risk for osteoporosis, making it a double whammy if you have a thyroid disorder and are menopausal. Our women’s health care providers can discuss options to help protect your bones and reduce the risks based on your specific circumstances.
Quality Health Care from HerKare – Your Women’s Health Clinic
When you need better healthcare for women, choose our team at HerKare. We are a women’s health clinic founded by and run by women, for women. We pride ourselves on offering personalized care for women. Our team offers a wide range of healthcare services, from annual exams to HRT for menopause and treatments for health conditions like thyroid disease. Our goal is to empower women to take care of themselves by making healthcare as efficient and convenient as possible. Make an appointment today to take charge of your health.
by SXHH Marketing | Jan 6, 2022 | Hormone Replacement Therapy, Wellness
Progesterone replacement therapy is a type of hormone therapy that boosts progesterone levels to healthy ranges. Progesterone is an important hormone in your body that performs many different functions. Recent evidence suggests that progesterone may also play a role in blood pressure regulation. The risk for high blood pressure goes up after menopause, which is when progesterone is typically low. Researchers are now looking into whether progesterone may help reduce blood pressure risks, with promising results.
Some studies suggest progesterone replacement therapy may help your body regulate blood pressure.
Blood pressure is an important marker of health. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can put you at risk for many different health issues. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can increase the risk for heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and even kidney disease. High blood pressure can damage arteries, blood vessels, and organs over time. Despite all these health risks, high blood pressure often causes zero symptoms on its own. Because of the many negative effects of high blood pressure, experts are exploring many ways to help people reduce their risk for hypertension.
Summary
- Progesterone replacement therapy may help support healthy blood pressure in some women. Research suggests progesterone may play a role in blood pressure regulation, especially after menopause when progesterone levels naturally decline.
- Progesterone helps because it acts like a natural diuretic. This means it may help the body get rid of extra salt and water, which can reduce pressure in the blood vessels. Researchers have also found that progesterone may help relax blood vessels and reduce certain blood pressure responses in the body.
- Progesterone therapy is often prescribed for more than blood pressure support alone. It is commonly used with estrogen during menopause treatment and may also help address low progesterone symptoms and hormone imbalance.
How Progesterone Replacement Therapy Affects Blood Pressure
In the past, many believed that both the female hormones estrogen and progesterone increased blood pressure. This was because many women taking hormone-based birth control and hormone replacement therapy for menopause experienced high blood pressure as a side effect. However, recent research shows that estrogen is the likely culprit for increased blood pressure. Progesterone, by contrast, may have the opposite effect. As a natural diuretic, progesterone may actually lower blood pressure for some women.
Progesterone replacement therapy is often paired with estrogen to treat menopause symptoms. Every patient who still has a uterus is prescribed progesterone alongside estrogen. This is because progesterone helps prevent the uterine lining from becoming too thick, increasing the risk for endometrial cancer. Therefore, in the past many researchers had difficulty separating the effects of progesterone and estrogen for women taking both at the same time. However, progesterone replacement therapy on its own is getting more and more attention. For example, some studies have found progesterone-only therapy may help with menopausal hot flashes.
With more research into progesterone by itself, some have begun to look at the relationship between progesterone and blood pressure. Research is still ongoing, but many studies have found that progesterone replacement therapy either has no effect on blood pressure, or that it may help lower blood pressure. It’s important to discuss your specific circumstances with our treatment providers, but this is encouraging evidence for women who may want to take bioidentical hormone therapy with progesterone for menopause symptoms.
Progesterone May Lower Blood Pressure
Progesterone does many things in the body. It’s responsible for preparing the uterus for potential pregnancy, regulating your menstrual cycle, and keeping estrogen and other hormones in check. Progesterone also seems to help with blood pressure regulation.
Many medical professionals are interested in the relationship between progesterone and blood pressure. After all, blood pressure tends to be quite low during pregnancy, when progesterone levels are high. By contrast, post-menopausal women have a higher risk for high blood pressure, which is when the ovaries start producing significantly less progesterone. There have been several studies into the link between progesterone and blood pressure that indicate it may have a lowering effect on blood pressure.
One 2001 study found that progesterone was independently associated with vascular effects. This essentially means that, outside of estrogen, progesterone may affect the blood vessels. The researchers also found that progesterone changed the blood pressure response to norepinephrine, which typically increases blood pressure. This isn’t the only study to show a positive effect on high blood pressure from progesterone. A small study from 1985 looked at people with hypertension taking progesterone replacement therapy. Researchers looked at six men and four post-menopausal women and saw that blood pressure dropped significantly after taking progesterone. Therefore, these studies suggest progesterone may reduce the risk for hypertension.
How Progesterone Replacement Therapy May Lower Blood Pressure
The hormone progesterone can act as a natural diuretic, which is essentially something that helps your body get rid of extra salt and water through your urine. Diuretics like water pills are also a common treatment option for high blood pressure. This is because they can help reduce the amount of water in your blood, which means there’s less fluid in your veins causing excess pressure. Because of this effect of progesterone in your body, some believe that progesterone replacement therapy may also help lower blood pressure for women with low progesterone.
However, there may be other explanations. For instance, a 2021 study published in the journal Hypertension found that progesterone had three effects that may help reduce blood pressure. This study looked at short-term effects of progesterone on blood pressure. They concluded that progesterone may have a direct impact on blood vessels in the body.
The researchers found that progesterone dilated blood vessels, which can reduce the amount of pressure on the vessel walls. The study also found that progesterone helped prevent an increase in blood pressure that usually comes with exposure to adrenaline-like hormones. Another effect of progesterone the researchers in the 2021 study found was that progesterone helped block calcium intake in the smooth muscle cells. This may work similarly to calcium channel blocker medications, which are also commonly used to treat high blood pressure, as calcium can cause the blood vessels to squeeze tighter and increase blood pressure.
Of course, there may be other potential ways progesterone affects blood pressure. For instance, some believe progesterone may have an indirect effect on blood pressure through BMI. Progesterone replacement therapy may reduce the risk of weight gain and high BMI, which are associated with high blood pressure.
Why Providers May Prescribe Progesterone Replacement Therapy
Our treatment providers may recommend progesterone replacement therapy for a few different reasons. It’s common to use progesterone and estrogen in combination to alleviate menopause symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and mood changes. If you still have a uterus, our providers always prescribe progesterone with estrogen. Progesterone helps counteract the endometrial thickening properties of estrogen to reduce the risk of cancer. Therefore, if you’re taking estrogen for menopause, you will also likely be taking progesterone replacement therapy. In some cases, our medical professionals may also recommend progesterone alone to help with your menopause symptoms.
Progesterone may also serve as a hormone imbalance treatment if you’re suffering from low progesterone. If you have low progesterone levels, other hormones like estrogen and testosterone may be thrown out of balance. This can lead to many concerning symptoms, such as:
- Irregular periods
- Fatigue
- Frequent urinary tract infections
- Frequent vaginal infections
- Breast tenderness
Therefore, there may be many reasons why our providers may prescribe progesterone replacement therapy for you.
What to Do If You Have High Blood Pressure and Menopause Symptoms – Visit HerKare
Our providers at HerKare take a holistic approach to healthcare. If you’re experiencing menopause symptoms, high blood pressure, or other conditions, make an appointment at one of our clinics. We offer personalized treatment solutions to help you feel your best. Our team works with you to find treatment solutions that work for you. For instance, if you have both high blood pressure and menopause symptoms, we may recommend a combination of lifestyle changes, bioidentical hormone therapy, blood pressure medications to address your whole health. Get in touch to learn how we can help you feel better again.
by SXHH Marketing | Dec 20, 2021 | Wellness
Low B12 is a serious issue for your health and well-being. Therefore, it’s important to talk to a women’s health care professional if you think you have B12 deficiency. Fortunately, there are treatment options available to increase vitamin B12 in your body and reduce health risks associated with low B12. Let’s talk about B12 deficiency and available treatment solutions.
Why is B12 Therapy Important for Women’s Health Care?
Our women’s health care providers can treat low B12 to help your symptoms and energy levels.
Vitamin B12 is necessary for many functions in your body. B12 helps with red blood cell production, brain function, and nerve tissue health. It also helps your body absorb folic acid, which helps your body make healthy new cells and DNA. People over 14 years old should get at least 2.4 micrograms of vitamin B12 daily. Many people get this necessary amount of B12 from their diet. However, people with low B12 may require treatment with B12 therapy. This is essentially supplementing your natural B12 levels to ensure you have healthy amounts of this necessary vitamin. If you’re not getting enough B12 from your diet, visit our women’s health clinic to determine if you could benefit from B12 therapy.
Talk to Our Women’s Health Care Providers About B12 Deficiency
An estimated 1.5% to 15% of people in the United States have been diagnosed with B12 deficiency. The number of people who are B12 deficient may be much higher, as many people go undiagnosed. Anyone can suffer from vitamin B12 deficiency, but some people are more at risk. For instance, because B12 naturally exists in meat products, vegans and vegetarians may be at a higher risk for B12 deficiency. In addition, people with gastrointestinal issues, such as Crohn’s disease, gastritis, or celiac disease, may also have low B12 because the body may not be able to absorb it properly. Finally, your risk for B12 deficiency also goes up with age, so if you’re 60 years old or older, you may have a higher risk for low vitamin B12. The good news is that your women’s health care provider can help find treatment options if you have B12 deficiency.
B12 Deficiency Symptoms
There are many different symptoms of B12 deficiency. If you notice symptoms of low B12, it’s important to talk to a women’s health care provider to explore treatment options to help you feel better and reduce your health risks.
Some common symptoms of low B12 include:
- Depression
- Confusion
- Memory problems
- Fatigue
- Constipation
- Unexplained weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet
- Difficulty maintaining your balance
- Anemia symptoms
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Irregular heart beat
- Pale or jaundiced skin
- Glossitis (inflamed tongue)
- Mouth ulcers
- Blurry vision
If you’re suffering from symptoms of low B12, our doctors may look for underlying conditions that may be causing your symptoms. In addition, we may test your B12 levels to determine if you have enough of the vitamin in your blood. If you do have low B12, we can explore treatment options personalized to you.
Long-Term Effects of B12 Deficiency
In addition to the many worrying and difficult symptoms you may experience, B12 deficiency can cause many serious health effects. We’ve mentioned that vitamin B12 plays many necessary roles in your body, which helps explain the many negative effects that B12 deficiency can have on your overall health. Low B12 can lead to anemia and even permanent neurological issues. Those with B12 deficiency also have an increased risk for psychosis, mania, and dementia, likely due to B12’s role in brain health. People with low B12 may also be more susceptible to the effects of infections.
Where Does Vitamin B12 Come From?
B12 is a vitamin most people get enough of from their diet. It is naturally available in meat, fish, and some dairy products. For example, some foods that are high in vitamin B12 include animal liver, clams, beef, and tuna. Also, many other foods are often fortified with B12, such as many cereals, plant milks, fruit juices, nutritional yeasts, margarines, and tofu. However, as we have mentioned, many people don’t get enough B12 from their diet, or their bodies don’t absorb B12 very well, leading to B12 deficiency. In these cases, our women’s health care providers may recommend B12 supplementation through B12 therapy.
How Women’s Health Care Providers Treat B12 Deficiency
There are many different options for vitamin B12 therapy. It’s important to note that B12 therapy is different from multivitamins with B12, as B12 therapy typically features higher levels of the vitamin to help increase levels to healthy ranges for people suffering from B12 deficiency. Three common options for B12 therapy are B12 pills, injections, and sublingual tablets. One type may be better for you than another, so it’s important to discuss your specific circumstances with one of our women’s health care professionals.
B12 Pills
One common option for B12 therapy is taking B12 pills. Once again, these are different from multivitamin supplements. These pills contain a man-made form of vitamin B12. Several studies have found that vitamin B12 pills can be as effective as B12 injections. However, it’s important to note that B12 pills aren’t the best option for everyone. For instance, if you have low B12 due to gastrointestinal conditions, your body may not be able to absorb enough of the vitamin from B12 pills for treatment. Therefore, in these cases, our women’s health care providers may recommend injections or sublingual tablets.
B12 Injections
If B12 pills don’t work for you, typically doctors recommend B12 shots. These are intramuscular injections that help send vitamin B12 to your bloodstream. B12 shots may work well if you have a deficiency linked to malabsorption for the vitamin. Also, many women’s health care providers recommend B12 injections when your levels are seriously low and need quick intervention. B12 shots may offer faster results than oral supplements. Also, injections can often offer higher doses of B12 compared to pills and sublingual options. Therefore, if you need significant doses of B12, our providers may recommend injections for B12 therapy.
Sublingual B12 Tablets
Some people also do well with sublingual B12 tablets to increase B12 levels. These are tablets that you place under the tongue and allow them to dissolve. This allows you to absorb the vitamin through the tissues in your mouth. Sublingual B12 therapies are also an effective way to supplement your B12 levels. This option may help improve absorption for people suffering from poor B12 absorption. However, keep in mind that many people need to take sublingual B12 tablets every day to supplement their normal B12 levels. Some people find it easier to remember their B12 injections compared to treatment with sublingual tablets. Therefore, talk to our women’s health care professionals about which type of B12 therapy may work best for you.
Visit Our Women’s Health Clinic for Vitamin Optimization
Our health care professionals at HerKare are here to help you feel your best. We offer vitamin optimization treatments to help you improve your health. We work with you to identify vitamin deficiencies and find customized treatment solutions for you. Our team can help you address your nutritional needs and also offer supplements when you need them for vitamin deficiencies. Make an appointment to address your health today.
