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    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.

    Why Women May Need Testosterone Replacement Therapy

    Why Women May Need Testosterone Replacement Therapy

    Hormones play a critical role in the body. While you might know about estrogen and progesterone, it’s important to also know about how testosterone affects us as women. Even though it’s known as the male hormone, our ovaries actually produce both estrogen and testosterone. In fact, testosterone does many important things in our bodies. Unfortunately, women can suffer from low testosterone just like with any other hormone and it can cause a lot of problems. In these cases, testosterone replacement therapy may prove really beneficial for your health and symptoms. Keep reading to learn how testosterone therapy may help you feel your best.

    If you’re suffering from menopause symptoms, make an appointment with our team today to discuss hormone care solutions.

    Menopausal Women Can Benefit from Testosterone Replacement Therapy

    Woman smiling on beach with her partner after beginning testosterone replacement therapy

    Testosterone replacement therapy can help with many of your symptoms during menopause.

    As we enter menopause, our natural hormone production starts to decline for sex hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. This can cause many disruptive symptoms that can really affect your life and health. That’s why so many women begin hormone replacement therapy around the time of menopause so they can feel their best and reduce their risks for certain health conditions. Testosterone replacement therapy is one option for women suffering from low testosterone levels during menopause. Testosterone has been shown to improve many symptoms commonly associated with menopause, like low sex drive and increased belly fat. Our providers will work with you to find the right dose to help you feel great again.

    How Much Testosterone is Normal for Women?

    Many women don’t even know that they have testosterone because it’s so closely associated with men. However, there are normal ranges for testosterone in women. Our bodies produce about one-tenth to one-twentieth of the amount of testosterone that the male body does. This means that the normal testosterone range for women is between 15 ng/dL and 70 ng/dL. If you have less than this in your body around perimenopause and post menopause, then we may recommend testosterone replacement therapy to boost levels into that healthy range.

    Symptoms Testosterone Replacement Therapy May Improve

    Low testosterone in women can cause many symptoms and changes in the body. Testosterone is responsible for many things. Testosterone receptors can be found throughout our bodies, so low testosterone can really wreak havoc on our health. Some symptoms that testosterone replacement therapy may help in women include:

    • Low sex drive
    • Vaginal dryness
    • Low bone density
    • Low muscle mass
    • Increased fat mass
    • Fatigue
    • Mood changes like depression and anxiety

    Testosterone May Increase Sex Drive

    Testosterone plays a really important role in sex drive for both men and women. In fact, testosterone replacement therapy is commonly used to treat hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), which is a type of sexual dysfunction many women suffer from. HSDD is a condition where you have low or no libido, so you may not experience any sexual thoughts or fantasies, feel disinterested in sex, lose interest during sex, have a hard time reaching orgasm, and may even try to avoid sex altogether. Testosterone has been found to increase libido in women. Therefore, if you’re experiencing low sex drive during menopause, then testosterone replacement therapy may be an option to improve your sex life.

    Testosterone Replacement Therapy Can Improve Vaginal Health

    Another common symptom you might notice during menopause is vaginal dryness. This is where you have less natural lubrication. The tissues of the vagina may also begin to thin. This creates the perfect recipe for tearing and discomfort from sex or even just from everyday activities like walking. Studies have found that testosterone can help improve vaginal lubrication so it’s less dry and prone to tearing.

    Testosterone Hormone Replacement Therapy Can Improve Bone Health, Muscle Health, and Fat Distribution

    Another reason you might consider testosterone for menopause treatment is that it can improve your bones, muscles, and fat distribution. Testosterone affects how strong and dense your bones are, how big and strong your muscles are, and can even affect where you store fat. Low testosterone in women is associated with weaker bones, loss of muscle mass, muscle weakness, and more visceral (belly) fat, which is associated with a lot of metabolic issues. Increasing your testosterone to normal ranges with testosterone replacement therapy can reduce these risks. You may feel stronger, look leaner, and enjoy lower risk for issues like osteoporosis and metabolic issues tied to belly fat.

    Testosterone Can Improve Mood and Energy

    Many women with low testosterone levels experience debilitating fatigue and mood changes like depression and anxiety. In fact, low testosterone is often mistaken as depression or high stress because of these symptoms. However, the good news is that increasing testosterone levels to normal ranges can help you feel more energetic and may boost your mood so you can enjoy your everyday activities.

    Misconceptions About Testosterone Replacement Therapy for Women

    Unfortunately, there are a lot of myths and misconceptions about testosterone therapy for women. All the misinformation out there has made a lot of people afraid of starting testosterone replacement therapy, even if their blood tests show they have deficient testosterone levels. Here are some of the myths and facts you should know about testosterone for women:

    Myth: There’s No Research on Testosterone Replacement Therapy for Women

    Many people believe that no one has really studied testosterone replacement therapy for women. While it’s true that there’s less research into testosterone for women than for men, there is still a lot of really good scientific studies out there, with more being conducted as we speak. That’s how we know which symptoms TRT can relieve in women. Therefore, there is good quality research into testosterone for women, and we’ll only keep learning more as more researchers focus on this treatment option.

    Myth: Testosterone Only Helps with Low Libido in Women

    Another common misconception is that testosterone replacement therapy is only helpful for women suffering from low sex drive. While it’s true that testosterone has been shown to have a positive effect on low libido in women, the benefits don’t stop there. Many studies have found other improvements in symptoms like those we detailed above. Remember, there are testosterone receptors throughout the body and this hormone affects practically every tissue. There is a reason that our bodies produce it, and it’s not just for a healthy sex life. It can help with many parts of our health and overall well-being.

    Myth: Testosterone in Any Dose will Cause Masculinization

    Many women are afraid of starting hormone replacement therapy with testosterone because they’re scared of masculinization with things like facial hair, deepening voices, and other side effects. While it’s true that this can happen if you’re given really high doses of testosterone, low doses for women with low testosterone generally don’t cause these side effects. Keep in mind that our bodies actually convert a lot of testosterone to estrogen and that we need a certain amount of testosterone in the body. Our providers will work with you to find the right dose for you so you don’t need to worry about masculinizing side effects.

    Get Comprehensive Menopause Treatment at HerKare

    Our providers at HerKare are here to help you feel your best and live your best life through personalized healthcare. We make sure that our healthcare solutions are convenient and accessible so you can take care of yourself and your needs. If you’re experiencing menopause symptoms, know that help is available and we’re here to provide it. Our team works to identify underlying causes of your symptoms and provide customized treatments for symptom relief. Get in touch now to schedule an appointment!

    New Year’s Goals and Hormone Replacement Therapy

    New Year’s Goals and Hormone Replacement Therapy

    It’s officially 2023 and many of us are pursuing the goals we made for the new year. You might have several goals for this year, including becoming healthier, getting active, or losing weight. What you might not know is that hormone replacement therapy can help you achieve many of these goals. In this blog, you’ll learn exactly how HRT can help you with your New Year’s resolutions.

    For quality care for menopause and other health concerns, contact us now to make an appointment.

    How Hormone Replacement Therapy Helps You Achieve Your New Year’s Goals

    Woman flexing after hormone replacement therapy helped her achieve her health goals.

    Hormone replacement therapy can reduce the symptoms and risks of menopause so you can pursue your healthy New Year’s goals.

    Now is the perfect time to start pursuing healthy lifestyle changes and making health goals. However, what you might not know is that menopause can hinder many of your New Year’s resolutions. Low estrogen levels during menopause can make achieving your goals difficult in many ways, especially if you’re suffering from hot flashes, mood changes, and other symptoms.

    The good news is that hormone replacement therapy can alleviate many of these effects and make it easier for you to follow your New Year’s resolutions. If you want to change your lifestyle to become healthier overall, feel like a better version of yourself, improve your physical fitness, or lose weight, HRT can make all these things easier during menopause. Hormone replacement therapy is one of the approved treatments for menopause symptoms and can have many other beneficial effects for your health and life, including helping you attain your 2023 goals.

    Hormone Replacement Therapy Can Improve Your Overall Health

    Like any other medication, hormone replacement therapy comes with risks and benefits. For menopausal women who are good candidates for HRT, there are several ways that hormone therapy can improve your health. If you’re looking to live a healthier life in 2023, it may be time to talk to our providers about HRT.

    Hormone replacement therapy supplements your natural hormone levels, which start to decline during menopause. Low estrogen and progesterone levels are linked to a number of serious health concerns. For instance, menopausal hormone changes can increase the risk for osteoporosis, heart disease, obesity, and even urinary tract infections. However, since hormone replacement therapy boosts your hormone levels, it can also help reduce many of these health risks during menopause. In this regard, it can help you lead a healthier life, which is a great goal to have for this year.

    HRT Can Help You Feel Your Best

    Maybe your New Year’s resolution is to become an overall better version of yourself and live a more vibrant life. This is another one of those goals that is an amazing pursuit and may also be assisted by hormone replacement therapy.

    In menopause, you can experience a lot of different symptoms that can really affect your life. Some people even describe feeling like a shell of their former selves because of menopause changes to their body and mood. Common symptoms of menopause include:

    • Hot flashes
    • Night sweats
    • Insomnia
    • Mood changes
    • Depression
    • Anxiety
    • Brain fog
    • Vaginal dryness
    • Low sex drive

    As you can see, many of these symptoms can be life-altering and make it difficult to enjoy life. However, hormone replacement therapy can alleviate or even stop many of these symptoms. Part of living your best life is feeling your best, so HRT can be incredibly impactful in everyday life. With HRT, you can get a huge mood and energy boost and start living with a better quality of life.

    Hormone Replacement Therapy Might Help with Exercise and Fitness

    What about if you want to exercise more and get into better shape? This can be really difficult during menopause, but, once again, HRT can come to the rescue for this Near Year’s goal. A lot of your symptoms can make it difficult to want to go to the gym, which hormone replacement therapy can help with. However, it goes deeper than that.

    Low estrogen during menopause can cause physical changes to our bodies that may make it more difficult to work out and stay injury-free. However, research shows that estrogen can improve performance and injury risk during physical activity. A study from 2019 looked at the effects of estrogen on exercise, specifically musculoskeletal performance and injury risk. The reason for this is that estrogen affects many different tissues in the body, including bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. The researchers found that estrogen can increase muscle mass and strength. It also can increase collagen in connective tissues to reduce stiffness, which is also linked to fewer injuries. Therefore, hormone replacement therapy can make it easier to see gains and may just prevent some injuries when working out.

    Hormone Replacement Therapy May Aid Weight Loss

    Another really common goal you might have for the new year is losing some weight. This is important, as more and more Americans are overweight and obese, which can cause a lot of health problems, self-esteem issues, and even death. Losing some extra pounds is a good goal to have, but it’s hard when weight gain is a common menopause symptom. Hormone changes during menopause are connected to weight gain and fat distribution. Many women may notice they gain more weight and have more belly fat than before menopause.

    However, hormone replacement therapy may help you control your weight. HRT can help counteract the effects of low estrogen on your body composition. Research from 2018 looked at the effects of hormone replacement therapy on menopausal body comp and found some interesting results. First, those using HRT had less visceral (belly) fat, which is linked to issues like insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and heart problems. The hormone replacement therapy group also had slightly lower BMI and total fat mass. The study mentioned that these improvements may be direct, or they may be indirect through increases in metabolism or even improved mood. Whatever the case, the evidence indicates that HRT may help you achieve your weight loss goals this year.

    Why Low Estrogen Can Hinder Your New Year’s Resolutions

    What exactly about menopause makes it so difficult to achieve New Year’s goals like the ones above without hormone replacement therapy? Low estrogen can cause symptoms and physical changes that make it really hard to pursue your health goals. HRT can help prevent some of these symptoms and changes so that you can accomplish the results you want.

    Menopause symptoms can affect your whole life. You might feel tired, depressed, anxious, and like your life has completely turned upside down. Obviously, this can be a serious obstacle to even daily habits you had before menopause, like taking a walk after work. Pair this with physical changes like weight gain, fat distribution, and health problems and it makes it even more difficult. Therefore, it’s not hard to see why you might be looking for help with your New Year’s goals during menopause.

    Who is a Good Candidate for Hormone Replacement Therapy?

    Hormone replacement therapy is a great option for many women to improve their health and lives during menopause. It’s one of the only approved options for treating menopause symptoms. Of course, like with any medication, it’s not right for everyone. To know if you’re a good candidate for HRT, schedule an appointment with our women’s hormone care providers to talk about your individual circumstances like health status, risks, and symptoms.

    Generally speaking, you might be a good candidate for hormone replacement therapy if:

    • You suffer from menopause symptoms
    • You’re in good overall health
    • You’re under age 60 or within 10 years of menopause
    • You don’t have a history of breast cancer, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, endometrial cancer, or unexplained vaginal bleeding

    Quality Women’s Hormone Care from HerKare

    Get quality healthcare for women from HerKare. We are a team of professionals run by women for women to help you feel your best at all times. Our providers are here to help you improve your health and well-being, whether you’re suffering from menopause symptoms, sleep apnea, or high blood pressure. Schedule your appointment today to learn how we can help you be a healthier, happier version of yourself.

    Hormone Replacement Therapy Aids in Weight Loss

    Hormone Replacement Therapy Aids in Weight Loss

    It’s common for women to pack on a few pounds around the time of menopause, but there are several ways you can lose that weight and maintain a healthier weight during and after menopause. Hormone replacement therapy can help in many ways with your weight loss goals if you’re suffering from symptoms of menopause. Several studies have found that menopausal HRT can have a big impact not only on weight loss, but also how much fat your body stores and where. Let’s talk about how hormone replacement therapy can help you lose weight.

    What Causes Weight Gain During Menopause?

    woman working out and using hormone replacement therapy for weight loss

    Hormone replacement therapy can make it easier to lose weight during and after menopause.

    Menopause brings about a lot of changes that can lead to weight gain and higher fat content in your body. As hormones like estrogen and progesterone fluctuate and decline, you might notice it’s harder to keep the weight off. There are several reasons for menopausal weight gain, including:

    • Body Fat Distribution: With low estrogen levels during menopause comes changes in how your body distributes fat and muscle. It can lead to your body creating more fat and also increasing fat in your stomach area.
    • Age: Our metabolisms and energy levels tend to get lower with age. As you approach middle age, which is also the average time of menopause, it can be harder to keep your weight under control.
    • Hormone Imbalances Affect the Metabolism: Your metabolism controls how many calories you burn at rest and during activity. Slower metabolism means you burn fewer calories overall and, therefore, are more likely to store those extra calories instead of burning them. Low estrogen levels due to menopause may slow down your metabolism and lead to weight gain.
    • Menopause Symptoms: Symptoms of menopause like hot flashes, sleep disturbances, mood changes, and fatigue can all play a role in weight gain. These symptoms make it hard to engage in healthy habits like exercise and maintaining a balanced diet.

    Therefore, there are many reasons why you might notice you’ve gained extra weight during menopause. The good news is that you can typically lose it with the right strategies.

    Six Ways Hormone Replacement Therapy Can Help with Weight Loss

    Hormone replacement therapy is a common treatment option for menopause. This essentially supplements your natural hormone levels during menopause to help ease many of the symptoms and health consequences of menopause, including weight gain. Here are six ways that hormone replacement therapy can help with weight loss:

    1. Hormone Replacement Therapy Improves Body Composition

    Because low hormone levels can cause changes in how your body stores and distributes fat, it can also lead to gaining extra weight. Hormone replacement therapy can prevent this issue by keeping your estrogen levels high enough to stop body composition changes.

    In fact, a recent study found that women who used HRT had one point lower on the BMI scale and also about three pounds less of body fat compared to women who didn’t use hormone replacement therapy. This is particularly important, as extra body fat, even if your weight stays about the same, is also associated with other metabolic changes like insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. Not only does this increase your risk for becoming overweight or obese but can also lead to other health issues like heart problems and diabetes.

    2. Estrogen May Boost Your Metabolism

    Estrogen also plays an important role in your body’s metabolism. Metabolism is the rate that you burn calories at. There are many factors that affect your metabolism, including age and genetics. However, there is evidence that low estrogen levels can also slow down the metabolism, which can make it harder to lose weight. In these cases, the only option is to either exercise significantly more or to eat fewer calories to adjust for your slow metabolism. Basically, you either need to take in fewer or burn more calories.

    Hormone replacement therapy increases your body’s estrogen levels, which can prevent menopause related changes to your metabolism. This allows you to burn more calories both at rest and during exercise, so you don’t store them as extra pounds in your body.

    3. Menopause Treatment with HRT Can Increase Your Energy Levels

    Fatigue is a common symptom of menopause that can make it really difficult to lose weight. Feeling extra tired all the time can have you reaching for calorie-dense comfort foods in your body’s attempt to get more energy. Also, if you’re feeling fatigued, the last thing you want to do is go out and get a workout in. This often means you’re eating more calories while burning less, which can lead to weight gain.

    However, HRT is a menopause treatment that can help increase your energy levels. Most of your menopause symptoms are due to fluctuating and decreasing hormone levels. If you have fatigue due to menopause, hormone replacement therapy can help relieve your symptoms so you feel more energetic and can better manage your weight through diet and exercise.

    4. Hormone Replacement Therapy Alleviates Hot Flashes

    Hot flashes are another menopause symptom that can interfere with your weight loss plans. Hot flashes can strike at any time and often make it feel like your body is on fire. Naturally, that can make it difficult to go get a workout in. In fact, exercise can even be a trigger for hot flashes, since a good workout will increase your core temperature.

    Hormone replacement therapy is one of the most effective treatments for vasomotor symptoms, which is the medical term for hot flashes and night sweats. Therefore, taking HRT during menopause can relieve your hot flash symptoms and make it easier to burn that extra fat through a healthy exercise regimen.

    5. HRT Can Improve Mood Changes & Depression Symptoms

    During menopause, you might also be struggling with mood swings and even depression, both of which can make it hard to maintain healthy diet and exercise for weight loss. Depressive symptoms in particular can make it hard to get out of bed, let alone exercise. Depression can lead to overeating for many people, which can lead to weight gain.

    If your mood changes are due to hormonal changes during menopause, then hormone imbalance treatment with HRT can help. Keeping your hormones in check with hormone replacement therapy can also help stabilize and even boost your mood so you can eat healthy and workout for weight loss.

    6. Hormone Replacement Therapy Helps with Sleep Disturbances

    Another issue many women face during menopause is sleep changes, particularly sleep disturbances. You might experience insomnia, disturbances from night sweats, and other issues that make it almost impossible to get a good night’s sleep. This, in turn, can make it hard to lose weight.

    If you’re constantly tired because of sleep deprivation from menopause, your body is more likely to crave fast energy sources that also happen to have a lot of calories, like sugary foods and drinks. Also, if you’re tired and can’t sleep well at night, it’s significantly less likely you’ll hit the gym after work. Hormone replacement therapy can help solve many of these sleep issues during menopause, which can help you with weight loss by making it easier to make healthier diet and exercise choices.

    Hormone Imbalance Treatment from HerKare

    Our team at HerKare is here to help you feel your best during menopause. Our hormone replacement therapy solutions are personalized to you to help you feel your best and treat your symptoms. We work with you to improve your overall health, including maintaining a healthy weight, getting enough sleep, and ensuring that you get the preventative care you need. We help you take care of your body so you can take care of those you love. Contact us now to book an appointment and learn how our providers can make a difference for your health and life.

    Managing Hormone Replacement Therapy in Dallas

    Managing Hormone Replacement Therapy in Dallas

    Women in perimenopause and menopause may need hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to alleviate symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and mood changes. When you start hormone therapy, it’s important to work closely with doctors to manage your treatment and overall health. Therefore, you need to find a team to partner with to monitor your treatment. Our Dallas Fort Worth clinics offer comprehensive hormone replacement therapy management so you can feel your best.

    Why Visit Our Dallas-Area Clinics to Discuss Hormone Replacement Therapy

    Woman on hormone replacement therapy in Dallas smiling

    Our clinics in Dallas offer total hormone replacement therapy solutions for your menopause symptoms.

    Hormone therapy is an effective option for menopause treatment and can help with many symptoms that disrupt your life. It may even reduce some of the health risks associated with menopause. However, treatment for every person is different, so you need a team who can personalize your treatment plans and health care to your exact needs.

    Unfortunately, many women find that they’re never offered HRT even when their symptoms are really bothersome. Also, many women might be prescribed HRT by their OB/GYN and not get any follow up beyond maybe a quick question during their annual exam. When beginning a hormone replacement therapy regimen, it helps to have providers that really care and tailor treatment to you.

    If you’re considering starting hormone replacement therapy in Dallas, our team is here to help. We have locations throughout the Dallas area, including in Fort Worth, Mansfield, Southlake, and Frisco. Our clinics offer quality, customized care for your needs. Our teams can help you throughout menopause and beyond to stay healthy and feel great. We are there to help you determine if hormone therapy is right for you and offer ongoing monitoring and care throughout treatment. For truly comprehensive care, visit a HerKare location near you in Dallas.

    Our Treatment Providers in Dallas Help Diagnose Your Symptoms and Determine if Hormone Replacement Therapy is Right for You

    If you’re experiencing menopause symptoms, visit our women’s health clinics in Dallas to learn what your options are. Our providers are here to help you get to the bottom of what’s causing your symptoms and help you find relief through treatment.

    Menopause symptoms are frequently caused by declining and fluctuating levels of hormones like estrogen and progesterone, which is why many women use HRT to help with their symptoms. Our providers can help you decide if hormone therapy is right for you based on many individual factors. It starts with a comprehensive health assessment where we talk about the symptoms you’re experiencing and your medical history, complete a physical exam, and also run tests to identify underlying conditions. This helps us get a full picture of your health and the root cause of your symptoms. From there, we can help you weigh the pros and cons of hormone replacement therapy based on your specific situation.

    Who is a Good Candidate for HRT?

    Not everyone is a good candidate for hormone replacement therapy. Like with any medicine, it may work well for some people and not for others. You might be a good candidate for hormone therapy if you’re in good overall health and experience menopause symptoms that disrupt everyday life. Hormone replacement therapy usually works best and with fewer risks if you start it within 10 years of menopause or when you’re under 60 years old.

    If you have certain conditions, hormone replacement therapy might not be a good idea. Some of these health issues include:

    • History of stroke
    • Breast cancer
    • Liver disease
    • Unexplained vaginal bleeding

    Symptoms Hormone Replacement Therapy May Alleviate

    Hormone replacement therapy can help with many of the symptoms of menopause, including:

    • Hot flashes
    • Night sweats
    • Sleep disturbances
    • Mood changes
    • Depression
    • Vaginal dryness

    In addition, hormone therapy during menopause may help with some of the health risks that increase at the time of menopause. While hormone replacement therapy isn’t recommended unless you’re experiencing disruptive menopause symptoms, it can come with some additional benefits to your health. For instance, for many women HRT may strengthen your bones, reduce bad cholesterol, and increase good cholesterol. Some studies have even found a lower mortality rate for women who use hormone therapy during menopause.

    Weighing the Benefits and Risks of Hormone Replacement Therapy

    All medications come with risks and benefits that you need to weigh with your doctor before starting treatment. Hormone replacement therapy is no different. If you’re experiencing menopause symptoms, our women’s health care providers in Dallas can help you understand the benefits and risks to help you make the decision whether to begin hormone therapy.

    For most women, hormone replacement therapy is a safe way to improve menopause symptoms. Hormone therapy can improve symptoms and overall quality of life for women in perimenopause and menopause. Just keep in mind it can also increase your risk for certain things, like blood clots, stroke, and breast cancer. Our clinics in Dallas can help you understand the benefits and the risks based on your individual circumstances so you can make an informed choice.

    If hormone therapy isn’t for you or you want to try other treatment options first, we’ll also discuss other ways you might be able to relieve your symptoms. For instance, many healthy lifestyle changes can help with your menopause symptoms. Getting plenty of exercise, eating a balanced diet, and maintaining a healthy weight can certainly help with some menopause symptoms. We may also recommend reducing stress, quitting smoking, and cutting back on alcohol, as these all can be triggers for hot flashes and other menopause symptoms.

    Our Dallas Team Helps You Decide Which Type of Hormone Replacement Therapy is Right For You

    Once you decide to start hormone replacement therapy, then you need to find the right kind for you. Our women’s health care providers in Dallas Fort Worth also help with this.

    There are several different choices when it comes to HRT for menopause. For instance, you can choose between systemic and local hormones. Local hormones are usually a cream or ring used only for vaginal symptoms like dryness. Systemic hormone replacement therapy gets into the bloodstream and is the most popular option because it can help with other symptoms like hot flashes.

    The type of hormones you take also depends on your health history. For instance, if you’ve had a hysterectomy, then estrogen replacement therapy is usually the better option. If you still have a uterus, however, then we generally recommend combined hormone therapy with estrogen and progesterone to reduce the risk of endometrial cancer.

    For combined therapy, you can either take both estrogen and progesterone every day, or you can choose cyclic therapy. This is where you take estrogen every day and progesterone only on certain days, usually between 10 and 14 days a month. Our team helps you decide which one is right for you.

    We Help Find the Right Dose of Hormone Replacement Therapy for Menopause Treatment

    The providers at our Dallas clinics also help find the right dose for you to help you manage your menopause symptoms. Generally, we aim for the lowest dose possible that still offers symptom relief. In the past, many providers prescribed one dose for everyone. However, customize doses can help ensure you get enough hormones to reduce or stop your symptoms without taking more than you need.

    Our treatment providers tailor hormone replacement therapy to you, so we work hard to make sure you’re getting an appropriate dose for your symptoms and body. When you begin hormone therapy, our team may see you more often to talk about your symptoms and dial in your personalized dose.

    Our Providers in Dallas Offer Ongoing Monitoring for Your Symptoms and Health

    Even after we find the right dose for you, our teams at the HerKare locations in Dallas Fort Worth also provide ongoing monitoring and management for not only your treatment plan, but overall health. We want to make sure that your treatment is still working and monitor you for any changes in your menopause symptoms or your health as a whole. We even offer other health care services at our Dallas clinics to fill all your health care needs in one place. So, you can get preventative care, treat other health conditions, and get ongoing monitoring for hormone replacement therapy all in one place to help you feel good and stay healthy.

    We Help You Decide When, Whether, and How to Quit Hormone Replacement Therapy

    Many women do not take hormone replacement therapy for their entire lives for menopause symptoms. For most women, the symptoms do go away with time and allow you to quit hormone therapy. Our team is here to help you determine whether it’s a good idea and how to do it. For instance, we may recommend lowering your doses to see if your symptoms come back. If they don’t, then it might be time to stop HRT. Usually, we will recommend tapering off of the hormones to reduce the risk of your symptoms returning. If your symptoms do return, then we may recommend waiting to stop hormone therapy until you can do so comfortably and without reducing your quality of life.

    Get Top Quality Care from Our Dallas-Fort Worth Clinics

    For complete menopause care, choose our providers at HerKare. We are a women’s health clinic operated by women for women to help you improve your health and well-being. We have locations throughout Texas, including several in the Dallas Fort Worth area to help women with all their health care needs, from menopause treatment to diabetes management. Our teams truly care and understand what you need to provide the best quality care. Make an appointment today to learn how we can help you feel like the best version of yourself!

    Estrogen Replacement Therapy May Improve Sleep Quality

    Estrogen Replacement Therapy May Improve Sleep Quality

    Sleep is an essential part of being healthy and feeling like your best self. Yet, many of us struggle to get enough sleep at night. If you feel like you’re sleeping even worse after menopause, you might be right. Hormone changes can negatively affect sleep in many ways. However, estrogen replacement therapy may improve sleep quality for menopausal women. In this article, we’ll explore some of the evidence and why it’s important to address your sleep problems with our team of healthcare providers.

    Studies Show Estrogen Replacement Therapy May Improve Your Sleep

    Happy woman after improving her sleep with estrogen replacement therapy during menopause

    Estrogen replacement therapy may improve your menopause-related sleep problems.

    We have long known that sleep problems can increase after menopause. Women are already predisposed to insomnia compared to men, but after menopause, risks increase. For instance, sleep complaints shoot up from 12% in premenopausal women to approximately 40% for women of menopausal age, according to the Sleep Foundation.

    Many women experience insomnia during menopause. Frequent daytime fatigue is also another common symptom. In addition, menopause can increase your risk for many sleep disorders, including sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome (RLS). Many women also experience poor REM sleep.

    A lot of these issues may be due to hormone changes during menopause, particularly low estrogen and progesterone. Therefore, many scientists have looked at the effects of estrogen replacement therapy on sleep and whether it can help menopausal women sleep better.

    Much of the evidence suggests that hormone replacement therapy can improve sleep. For instance, one 2017 study published in the North American Menopause Society’s journal, Menopause, found that low dose hormones during menopause improved sleep quality for women who recently entered menopause.

    We’ll look at some other studies later in this article that suggest that estrogen may improve sleep after menopause as well. However, these results are promising that estrogen replacement therapy may be able to reduce many sleep symptoms associated with menopause.

    How Low Estrogen & Progesterone Affect Sleep for Menopausal Women

    Why might estrogen replacement therapy be so beneficial for sleep quality after menopause? To understand this, it’s important to know how menopause affects sleep, especially through two hormones: estrogen and progesterone.

    Estrogen and progesterone are key hormones that control menstruation and pregnancy. During menopause, these hormones start to fluctuate and decline until you stop having a period. This causes many symptoms, including things like hot flashes, mood changes, and vaginal dryness. Hormone levels during menopause can also interfere with your sleep.

    Hormones May Affect Your Circadian Rhythm & REM Sleep

    Researchers are still studying how and why low estrogen and progesterone may interfere with good quality sleep. However, it may be due to changes in your circadian rhythm and REM sleep. These are both essential for good quality sleep.

    Circadian rhythm is like your body’s internal clock. It tells you when you should sleep and when you should be awake in a 24-hour period. Many things can influence your circadian rhythm, including light. Your hormones may also affect your circadian rhythm, such as how estrogen and progesterone control menstruation.

    Some studies have even found that estrogen can affect REM sleep. REM stands for rapid eye movement and is one of the deeper stages of sleep. REM sleep stimulates areas of the brain necessary for dreaming, memory retention, emotional processing, and learning. One study from 2013 found that estrogen may play an important role in REM and non-REM sleep in rats.

    Therefore, estrogen and progesterone themselves may influence the processes in your body responsible for quality sleep.

    Menopause Symptoms May Disrupt Sleep

    In addition, many menopause symptoms can also interfere with sleep, further compounding the problem. Menopause can come with many distressing symptoms, including:

    • Hot flashes
    • Night sweats
    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Frequent urination

    All these symptoms can also disrupt sleep. Hot flashes and night sweats can make it hard to get comfortable enough to fall asleep. Anxiety may have your mind racing, or even cause fast breathing and heart rate that make it feel impossible to sleep. Depression often causes insomnia. Frequent urination can cause you to get up multiple times at night to use the bathroom, fragmenting your sleep and often making it hard to fall back asleep.

    As you can see, many of the symptoms can make it hard to get a good night’s sleep during menopause.

    Why is Sleep Quality Important?

    You’ve been told sleep is important for your health, but it’s important to understand exactly why. Sleep helps repair your body and mind so it can function properly. Sleep quality is basically whether you’re getting enough restful sleep.

    Poor sleep quality can cause many short- and long-term effects. In the short-term, it can cause mood changes like:

    • Irritability
    • Memory problems
    • Difficulty staying alert
    • Higher risk for accidents
    • Poor quality of life

    If you’ve ever had a bad night’s sleep, then you likely already know just how bad it can affect you and your entire day.

    The long-term effects of poor sleep quality on your health. Some of these include an increased risk for:

    • High blood pressure
    • Diabetes
    • Heart attack
    • Heart failure
    • Stroke
    • Obesity
    • Depression

    In addition to these increased health risks, poor sleep can also seriously affect your appearance. Poor sleep can reduce the amount of collagen in your skin, which can lead to premature wrinkles. Poor sleep quality can also lead to permanent dark circles under the eyes. Both wrinkles and dark circles under the eye can make you look older and cause many people to feel self-conscious.

    Therefore, it’s important for adults to get between seven and nine hours of sleep each night. Also, if you frequently wake up feeling unrested, find yourself unable to sleep, or wake up frequently throughout the night, talk to our providers. We can help determine causes of your sleep problems and provide treatments to help you sleep better for your health and overall well-being.

    How Estrogen Replacement Therapy Can Help Improve Sleep

    If you’re having a hard time getting good quality sleep during menopause, it may be time to talk to our hormone doctor for help. Many studies have found that hormone therapy during menopause can improve many sleep symptoms you might be experiencing.

    Estrogen Replacement Therapy May Increase Sleep Quality

    As we’ve mentioned, many studies have looked at the effects of hormone therapy on sleep quality with positive results. In addition to the 2017 study where low dose estrogen replacement therapy helped improve sleep, there are many other studies that seem to confirm this.

    For instance, one 2019 study also found that hormone therapy can help with sleep quality. In the study, the women received combination hormone therapy, which includes both estrogen and progesterone. Compared to the placebo group, the women using hormones saw a significant increase in self-reported sleep quality. The results were immediate and long-lasting, with the women seeing sleep improvements in just one month.

    Estrogen Replacement Therapy Can Alleviate Menopause Symptoms

    If it’s your menopause symptoms keeping you up at night, estrogen replacement therapy can help with that, too. Estrogen is one of the most effective treatments today for hot flashes and night sweats, which often lead to poor sleep. Hormone therapy can also help with many of the other symptoms that interfere not only with sleep, but your everyday life.

    Research from 2008 found that hormone therapy during menopause has many positive effects on sleep, menopause symptoms, and even joint pain. In the study, the women who used hormone therapy were less likely to experience sleeplessness, hot flashes, night sweats, and joint pain, all of which can negatively impact sleep quality.

    Therefore, estrogen replacement therapy might be the right choice for you if you’re sleeping poorly during menopause.

    Find Solutions for Your Sleep at HerKare

    Our team at HerKare is here to help you improve your overall health. If you’re going through menopause and dealing with unwanted symptoms like insomnia, poor sleep quality, hot flushes, and mood changes, get in touch with our healthcare team. We identify and treat underlying causes of your symptoms to help you feel your best. Whether you need estrogen replacement therapy for menopause sleep issues or need CPAP therapy for sleep apnea, we are here to help you get a good night’s sleep. Make an appointment now at one of our convenient clinic locations to learn how we can help you start feeling better.

    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.