Balanced Hormones and Health in Austin, Texas, specializes in Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy, and we offer several programs for women. Below you can learn more about menopause, premenopause and perimenopause and learn if any of your symptoms are being caused by Menopause or Perimenopause.
Countless numbers of women are suffering from hormonal imbalance, whether from early menopause, perimenopause symptoms, perimenopause weight gain, adrenal fatigue or premenstrual symptoms (PMS), and more.
The signs and effects of the menopause transition can begin as early as age 35, although most women become aware of the transition in their mid to late 40s. Normally lasting for several years, its duration varies for every woman, and its course is impossible to predict. During perimenopause, which can last from 4-6 years and usually ends after twelve months of amenorrhea (cessation of menstruation), a woman’s menstrual cycle becomes irregular and varied, and fertility becomes diminished.
Some benefits of balanced hormones include:
- Improved weight loss
- Improved sex drive
- Improved look and feel of hair and skin and nails
- Improved mental health
- Improved memory
- Improved mood and emotional balance
- Lower cholesterol levels
- Decreased risk of osteoporosis
- Decreased risk of heart attack
- Decreased risk of stroke
By replenishing hormones in the body and bringing our systems into balance our team of Austin Bioidentical Doctors can reverse and prevent a number hormone and age-related illnesses.
Bioidentical hormone replacement is not just for menopause and perimenopause symptoms. Proper hormonal balance is key to your overall health and well-being.
Perimenopause
Perimenopause is the time that precedes actual menopause, when many women begin noticing the following symptoms:
- Weight Gain
- Low Libido
- Mood Swings
- Lack of mental clarity
Women who come to BH2 Austin for perimenopause treatment can experience better memory and mental acuity, weight loss, improved bone health, as well as cardio protection. Our goal is not necessarily to return your hormones to the normal ranges; instead we like to go beyond and get you in the optimal range to help you feel your very best.
Menopause
Some of the most common symptoms of menopause include:
- Cravings for sweets or carbohydrates
- Weight gain
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- PMS
- Feeling depressed
- Mood swings or irritability
- Insomnia or restless sleep
- Headaches
- Loss of desire
- Fuzzy thinking
- Digestive issues
- Stiffness or joint pain
- Anxiety
- Heart palpitations
- Breast pain
- Adult acne
- Urinary dysfunction
- Unwanted hair growth
- Hair loss
- Dry skin
- Vaginal dryness
- Irregular periods
- Fibroids
Unlike conventional doctors, Balanced Hormones and Health in Austin only uses bioidentical hormones to treat the symptoms of menopause. Because bioidentical hormones are identical to the hormones produced in your body, there are none of the harsh side effects that typically result from treating these symptoms with synthetic hormones.
Since the underlying cause of the symptoms of menopause is a decline in the natural hormones, the best menopause treatment begins with replenishing a woman’s body with bioidentical estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone to help restore her back to good health.
Hypothyroid
Perimenopause and menopause are not the only conditions caused by hormonal imbalance. Hypothyroid (underactive thyroid gland) is a common example, and generally includes the following symptoms:
- Fatigue, exhaustion
- Depression
- Difficulty concentrating, brain fog
- Unexplained or excessive weight gain
- Dry, coarse and/or thinning hair
- Feeling cold, especially in the extremities
At BH2 we only use natural bioidentical hormones to treat hypothyroid. Patients who undergo treatment can expect an increase in energy levels, clearer thinking, and relief from depression. Many patients have also reported weight loss as well as stronger and healthier hair, skin and nails.
Hyperthyroid
In traditional medicine, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland) is generally treated with synthetic T4, which can correct your T4 and TSH levels. However, many people cannot efficiently convert T4 to T3. This is a problem because T3 is the more active form of thyroid hormone. Even if your T4 and TSH levels are optimal, if your T3 levels are imbalanced, you may still experience symptoms.
- Nervousness
- Irritability
- Increased perspiration
- Thinning of your skin
- Fine brittle hair
- Muscular weakness especially involving the upper arms and thighs
At BH2 Austin, we only use natural bioidentical hormone treatments so the body has a much easier time converting T4 which will help you feel better sooner.
Adrenal Fatigue
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Depression
- Suppression of immune system
- Moodiness
- Skin problems
- Autoimmune disorders
The natural solution for adrenal fatigue is the use of pharmaceutical grade supplements. At the Balanced Hormones and Health, our patients start seeing an improvement in symptoms in two weeks or less. Along with this, we also recommend DHEA, another hormone produced by the adrenal glands. The amount of DHEA produced by the adrenal cortex is greater than that of any of the other adrenal hormones, including the androgens (androstenedione and testosterone) and the estrogens (estradiol, estrone, and estriol).
Infertility
- Inability to conceive after six months if you are over 35 years old
- Inability to conceive after one year if you are under 35 years old
- Irregular periods
- Advanced maternal age
- Low Sperm Count
- Endometriosis
- Thyroid conditions
Women who come to BH2 for help with infertility are also pleased to reduce or eliminate symptoms of PMS and PCOS. Women also have a higher conception rate with fewer complications during pregnancy.
Lack of sex drive
The loss of something that seems so intrinsic to our lives can be devastating to our sense of self, and can cause stress on our relationships. Symptoms may include:
- Loss of interest
- Lower libido
- Vaginal dryness
- Painful intercourse
To help replenish a low sex drive, hormonal balance is crucial. Bioidentical hormone therapy repairs the damage caused by a hysterectomy or menopause by finding the hormone balance your body needs. This means that the symptoms that caused the loss of libido, such as those named above, are often relieved, resulting in an increased sexual drive.
Food intolerances and food allergies
We don’t usually think of food allergies when suffering from the following symptoms, but food allergies are a more common cause of these symptoms than many people realize:
- Rash or hives
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Itchy skin
- Chest pain
- Swelling of the airways to the lungs
- Anaphylaxis
Common foods such as wheat, corn, eggs, milk, yeast or soybeans may cause allergic reactions. Even chocolate can be problematic for some people. Food allergies can be a subtle problem to detect on your own. At BH2 Austin we will help you learn which foods to avoid, allowing you to eliminate most or all of the symptoms above.
Osteoporosis
- Bone pain or tenderness
- Low back pain due to fractures of the spinal bones
- Fractures with little or no trauma
- Neck pain due to fractures of the spinal bones
- Stooped posture or kyphosis, also called a “dowager’s hump”
- Loss of height (as much as 6 inches) over time
Even dense bones can be brittle if the quality of the bone is not maintained. The advantage of BH2’s natural hormone approach to bone health is that it helps to restore the all-important balance in your innate bone metabolism. This balance is necessary for repairing bone, rather than merely halting the bone breakdown part of the cycle. Our natural approach gives your bones the support they need to do what they do best: build strong bone, one cell at a time — without drugs or their harsh side effects.
Gut Integrity
Are you aware that 80% of your body’s immunity lives in your gut? When the balance is off in your gut, your entire body can feel like it is out of whack!
- Abdominal Bloating
- Belching
- Excessive Gas
- Abdominal Cramps and Indigestion.
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Skin Rashes
- Immune Suppression
- Chemical Sensitivity
- Vaginal Yeast Infections
- Depression
- Joint Pain
In order to restore the normal microbacterial flora of the colon, or good bacteria, it is essential that you kill the yeast in your system. At Balanced Hormones and Health we accomplish this using a detox complete with very strong probiotics that remove the yeast and restore the proper balance to your gut. After you eradicate the yeast, it is necessary that you replace and build up the good bacteria such as Lactobacillus acidophilus in your digestive system. We also recommend natural treatments to help alleviate your uncomfortable gastrointestinal symptoms. We will help you design a yeast free diet that will work with your lifestyle and help you maintain good health.
FREE Hormone Assessment Test for Women
Our Austin Bioidentical Hormone Clinic can provide you with detailed safety information, answer all your questions, and discuss any concerns you may have. They will listen carefully to your description of your symptoms, and will give you information about symptoms, and about hormone testing.
Our Austin Hormone Replacement Clinic will give you all the general guidance you need throughout this process.
You may be surprised at how quickly you can restore your hormones to optimal levels with the right support.
Questions? Are you suffering from any of the symptoms you have read about? Do you think you could be suffering from Menopause or perimenopause? Call our Menopause Specialists in Austin at 512-961-7179 today to schedule your FREE Consultation to learn more about Bioidentical Hormones for Women.
