Understanding Estrogen Metabolism
As your OB/GYN, I want to make sure that you're informed about your body and how it works. One important topic that we need to talk about is estrogen metabolism.
When you’re entering menopause, the symptoms you experience are sometimes unbearable. With your hormones constantly changing, it can be hard to get comfortable. One of the treatments that can help ease your symptoms is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT).
Dr. Inga Zilberstein offers a variety of treatments for menopause-related symtpoms at her practice in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, New York. Dr. Zilberstein is highly experienced in both obstetrics and gynecology, offering the best and latest treatments to get you feeling your best.
Menopause is the time in your life when your hormones change, and you’re no longer able to conceive and carry a baby in your womb. It’s diagnosed after 12 consecutive months have gone by without you getting a menstrual cycle.
Typically, menopause happens between the ages of 45 and 55, but it may happen earlier or later depending on your circumstances and health. It often takes a few years to reach menopause, and the time leading up to it is called perimenopause.
During perimenopause, your hormones are changing, causing a number of uncomfortable symptoms. Your period is often extremely irregular, and you may go months without it, only to get it more heavy than before. There are other symptoms as well, including:
Every woman is affected differently during the years leading up to menopause. In some cases, women tolerate their perimenopause symptoms and don’t need treatment. However, if your symptoms are really affecting your life, therapies are available, such as bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.
There are several different types of hormone replacement therapy made to treat several different conditions, including perimenopause. One specific type of hormone therapy is bioidentical hormone replacement.
BHRT is different from traditional hormone replacement because the hormones are chemically the same as those produced in your body. Bioidentical hormones come from plant estrogens, whereas traditional hormone replacement therapy treatments are often derived from pregnant horse urine and other man-made hormones. Those treatments do the trick, but they aren’t considered natural.
Although bioidentical hormones are considered natural, it’s important to note that they’re still manufactured in a lab. While they’re chemically similar to the hormones your body produces naturally, they carry the same risks as regular hormone replacement therapies.
During perimenopause, your levels of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone vary greatly. This is what causes the uncomfortable symptoms like night sweats and vaginal dryness.
When you have these symptoms and they’re unbearable, Dr. Zilberstein suggests bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Because these hormones have the same chemical makeup as your own, it helps even out your symptoms by replacing estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
There are several different forms of bioidentical hormones, and Dr. Zilberstein explains your options to you. The hormones come in the form of creams, patches, gels, injections, and oral pills.
The form of bioidentical hormones you use is based on your preference and the preparation you need. For instance, it may be different if you only need estrogen rather than both estrogen and progesterone.
When taken regularly, BHRT not only reduces your symptoms related to perimenopause, but also decreases your risk of other issues like diabetes, cataracts, and tooth loss from osteoporosis.
If you’re interested in learning more about how bioidentical hormone therapy can help you, call the office today at 646-601-6351 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Zilberstein. You can also book a consultation using our online tool.
