Hormone Replacement Therapy
Treat hot flashes, night sweats, and troublesome mood swings
Bioidentical Hormones
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be on your mind if you’ve entered a phase of life where night sweats, hot flashes, and mood swings are your new normal.
Your hormones help regulate numerous processes in your body, signalling hunger, sexual arousal, and emotions. There’s an ideal balance that keeps you feeling energized, clear-headed, healthy, and happy.
Unfortunately, that balance may be thrown off due to illness, stress, or age, and it happens to nearly everyone at some point. Women brace themselves for “the change,” but the shift begins long before menopause.
Is HRT Toronto’s solution for women?
Your hormones may be declining with age earlier than you think. Females usually find that progesterone starts to diminish in their 30s, followed by estrogen levels, and eventually testosterone. Men will often notice a testosterone decline first.
Considering hormone replacement therapy for perimenopause or menopause, women hope to stop symptoms like hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and anxiety.
Feeling sleep-deprived, low on energy, and depressed in the middle of careers and social lives is extremely frustrating. For some women, any quick fix or prescription seems well worth it to regain a little control and vitality.
But it’s essential to meet with a physician who understands women’s health and will help you improve your whole life safely with long-term balance in mind.
One of the reasons to meet an expert in person is that your constellation of symptoms could relate to numerous factors. Besides hormone replacement therapy, there are targeted natural and safe ways to get your body back on track.
When it comes to your sexual health, skin, and overall well-being, the specialists at Sovereign Female can help you improve the entire beautiful picture.
What kinds of HRT (hormone replacement therapy) are available?
Are HRT patches better than tablets? Are HRT patches better than gel? Many people ask about drugs for hormone replacement therapy, and the truth is, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all option. A combination of hormones may address your specific issues.
Treatment is available in formulations like:
- gels
- pills
- creams
- injections
- patches
- vaginal suppositories
Hormone therapy is useful to treat hot flashes, night sweats, and troublesome mood swings. Delivering estrogen into the vaginal tissue can help ease dryness, itching, and discomfort with intercourse.
At Sovereign, part of our holistic approach includes offering vaginal rejuvenation with the specialized Fotona IntimiLase device. It’s a comfortable way to help tone, tighten, and improve the circulation and function of mucosal tissue in the vaginal canal. Women who experience vaginal atrophy/laxity throughout menopause report extremely high satisfaction with this procedure.
Low-dose vaginal preparations of estrogen in cream or tablet form can also improve vaginal symptoms through direct targeting, minimizing systemic effects.
Estrogen is typically prepared and prescribed along with progesterone, because estrogen alone can trigger the growth of uterine cancer.
Is HRT safe to take?
Women ask about the safety of hormone replacements. In 2002, a trial focused on long-term hormone therapy by the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) was conducted. Its findings pointed to increases for certain conditions like
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Blood clots
- Breast cancer
Unfortunately, the results weren’t adjusted for factors like pre-existing diseases, concurrent treatments, or low rates of breast cancer in the control group. Subsequent testing found that risks may vary depending on whether estrogen is given alone or with progestin, depending on the dose, and depending on the patient’s existing health picture.
Further testing of hormone therapy highlights risk related to age. For instance, older women (over 60) initiating treatment show a higher risk of developing related health issues than women under 60 who start their treatment earlier.
For younger women, the following benefits often outweigh any potential side effects
- Decreased bone loss or fracture risk
- Estrogen and progesterone can reduce colon cancer risks
- Some data suggest that estrogen decreases heart disease risk when taken early post-menopause
It’s safe to say that there isn’t a consensus about the best HRT therapies or efficacy, but there’s enough compelling evidence of multiple benefits that doctors feel comfortable prescribing it for their clients.
For the best results, HRT therapy should be tailored to you personally and adjusted from time to time under your doctor’s watch. If one type of hormone replacement therapy works for someone you know, that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be right for you. Your ideal fit may be a combination of complementary treatments that rejuvenate you inside and out.
What is “bioidentical hormone therapy”?
Bioidentical, or “natural,” HRT is essentially man-made hormones. When prescribed and monitored by qualified physicians, these naturally derived hormones can mimic your own body’s molecules. They can include commercial products approved by Health Canada and formulations compounded by pharmacies. Bioidentical hormones (BHT) include 17 β-estradiol, estrone, and micronized progesterone.
With attributes similar to natural hormones, bioidentical hormones are known to be personalized and adjustable while easily metabolized. Interest in safer, gentle hormone therapy has drawn attention to bioidentical hormones.
Even though they’re extracted from plants like yams and soy, bioidentical hormones aren’t without risk, and not all plant-derived hormone replacement therapy is bioidentical.
Bioidentical hormone levels can be monitored with precision, and treatment can be more individualized with BHT. Working with an experienced, attentive physician and paying close attention to symptoms is just as critical to ensuring the outcome that you want.
What are HRT side effects?
Your doctor will provide a thorough explanation of the possible benefits and side effects that you can expect from hormone replacement therapy. Some temporary discomfort may be felt at the treatment site with injection or a patch. Other side effects to know about include:
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Weight fluctuation
- Mood changes
- Blurry vision
- Cramps
- Breast tenderness
These sensations are usually temporary and resolve when ideal dosing is attained.
What are the natural ways to balance hormones?
There are a few safe and natural ways to help keep your hormones balanced. Estrogen and testosterone are affected by cholesterol levels, so keeping that in check and maintaining a healthy body weight can help regulate hormones. You can talk to your doctor about losing weight and improving your diet to reduce cholesterol. Mood and stress management is enhanced through regular exercise, and that also helps balance hormones.
IntimaLase for feminine rejuvenation
If decreased libido, sensation, vaginal tone, or lubrication are issues for you, you might benefit from laser vaginal rejuvenation. This non-surgical treatment is done quickly and discreetly in the comfort of our office.
The IntimiLase device delivers energy to stimulate toned, new collagen and the improved function of the vaginal canal. There’s no downtime, and it’s drug-free. Feel free to ask if this treatment might be right for you!
Are you considering HRT in Toronto?
Your next step is to book your no-obligation consultation to learn about your hormone replacement therapy options and decide what’s right for you.
Today’s women have a growing interest in self-care and healthy lifestyles. Energy, clear thinking, and balanced emotions help manage busy personal and professional lives. If you’re struggling with hormonal changes and you are considering hormone replacement therapy, Toronto’s Sovereign Female will be pleased to help you get back to yourself.
Our team of physicians, RNs, and medical estheticians offer convenient appointments at our chic, state-of-the-art aesthetic centre in downtown Toronto. Call us or fill out our contact form, and let’s get started today!
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Quality – Aesthetics – Professionalism
If you would like to further learn about what this incredible team of beauty advisors and medical professionals can offer you, please contact Sovereign Female today to start your journey towards the very best that Canada has to offer!
