Can I Begin Hormone Therapy Years After Menopause?
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Menopause symptoms can wreak havoc on a woman’s life and make her feel like someone she doesn’t recognize. Even perimenopause can bring about uncomfortable, embarrassing, and frustrating changes to a woman’s appearance and other aspects of her overall health and well-being. For this reason, countless women each year turn to hormone replacement therapy to prevent and/or reverse certain side effects of menopause. At Johnson Family Medical, board-certified family nurse practitioner Katherine Johnson is committed to helping patients feel more like themselves and once again enjoy all that life has to offer with bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) in Frisco, TX. If you have already gone through menopause, you may be wondering if it is too late to start BHRT. Read on to learn more about starting hormone replacement therapy after menopause, who may qualify for treatment, and what results are possible.
What does BHRT do for women?
For many women, bio-identical hormone therapy can help to dramatically reduce certain symptoms and side effects of menopause, including:
- Fatigue
- Night sweats
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Brain fog
- Difficulty sleeping
- Low libido
- Vaginal dryness
- Weight gain
- Hair loss
- Bone loss/osteoporosis
How is BHRT given?
At Johnson Family Medical, Katherine is proud to offer Pro-Pell plant-based BHRT pellets from Pharmacy Solutions®. This convenient delivery system, which involves inserting a tiny pellet beneath the skin of the hip, allows the patient to receive a steady dose of medication over 3 – 6 months and avoid the “symptom rollercoaster” that is often associated with other forms of HRT. During your initial consultation for BHRT in Frisco, TX, Katherine will evaluate your labs and health history, draw new labs if needed, and discuss your menopause symptoms at length. Based on all of this information, a customized dose of bio-identical hormones will be compounded for you.
Can you start BHRT if you have already gone through menopause?
Hormone replacement therapy can be beneficial for women of virtually all ages. In some cases, BHRT is initiated at a fairly early age in order to address an unexpected hormone imbalance. Other times, women choose to begin BHRT at the first sign of perimenopause in order to prevent worsening symptoms. However, even postmenopausal women can benefit from the effects of BHRT, such as boosting energy and enhancing their sexual experience. While it is technically never too late to start BHRT after menopause, patients who begin treatment before menopause is complete tend to reap the greatest rewards.
Can men use BHRT?
Absolutely. Adult males who have a hormone deficiency, hormonal imbalance, or symptoms related to andropause may be excellent candidates for bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. Common andropause-related symptoms that may be reduced or reversed with BHRT for men include:
- Hair loss
- Weight gain
- Loss of muscle mass
- Low energy levels
- Low libido
- Depression
- Decreased sexual function
If you and/or your partner suspect that your unwanted symptoms are related to menopause or andropause, don’t hesitate to speak with our caring team about your options for hormone replacement therapy.
Feel like the best version of yourself with BHRT in Frisco, TX
Whether you are having daily mood swings, losing your hair at a rapid pace, or simply feeling more sluggish than usual, your hormones may be to blame. To learn more about the benefits of bio-identical hormone therapy at any age, call Johnson Family Medical to schedule your one-on-one consultation with board-certified family nurse practitioner Katherine Johnson today, and take the first step toward feeling like yourself once again.