1. Low sex drive – The lack of estrogen can cause changes in your libido, and some women may find it more difficult to become sexually aroused. Menopause often leads to vaginal dryness and thinning vaginal tissues, which can make sex uncomfortable or even painful.
This isn’t always the case, however. Some women report a satisfying sex life after menopause. As internal medicine physicians in Cary, our expertise on how all your body’s systems interact together can help you regain your libido. Please do not be embarrassed to ask us any questions, and this includes concerns about your sexual health.
We are here to help and we pledge to always take time to answer any of your questions.
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How do I know if I need hormone replacement?
Hormone Replacement Therapy Treatment Center – If you are experiencing unexplained depression, anxiety, or fatigue, or even hot flashes, weight gain, and bone loss, then you may be an ideal candidate for hormone replacement therapy. This specialized therapy will address these symptoms and help you start feeling like yourself.
Between the Bridges Healing Center has your best interests in mind. We will help you find relief through simple but effective methods of treating your symptoms and getting your body back to hormonal balance. For more information or to request an appointment, call us today at (507) 388-7488 or fill out our appointment request form online now.
Hormonal imbalance doesn’t have to define your lifestyle anymore!
How does a woman know if she needs hormones?
How does a patient know if she needs hormone replacement therapy? – If a patient has symptoms of mood swings, vaginal dryness, hot flashes or night sweats that interfere with lifestyle, then she may benefit from them. Most of the time, checking hormone levels is not necessary to start hormone replacement therapy.
Is it better to go through menopause without HRT?
Hormone treatment and menopause – Many of the occur due to lowered levels of the hormone estrogen in your system. One of the common treatment options for menopausal symptoms is hormone replacement therapy (HRT), supplementing your hormone levels to rebalance your system.
How can I check my hormone levels myself?
How can I check my hormone levels at home? – Most kits allow you to check your hormone levels at home by sending you a kit with a small lancet. This device pricks a small hole in your finger, allowing you to collect a small drop of blood for testing. Some kits may also use saliva or urine samples.
What age should you start HRT?
How to get started on HRT – Speak to your local GP practice if you’re interested in starting HRT. You can usually begin HRT as soon as you start experiencing menopausal symptoms and will not usually need to have any tests first. However, a blood test to measure your hormone levels may be carried out if you’re aged 40 to 45.
Does vitamin D increase estrogen?
High blood levels of vitamin D linked to reduced estrogen – and potentially lower breast cancer risk Vitamin D is naturally found in some foods, such as fatty fish, and it is produced within the body when skin is exposed to sunlight. According to the Institute of Medicine, just 10 minutes of sun a day is enough to trigger adequate vitamin D production.
The estimated average requirement via diet or supplementation is 400 IUs per day for most adults – an amount that has been demonstrated to support bone health. The reason the participants in the current study were given a substantially higher dose is because that is the amount that was estimated to be necessary to boost their insufficient blood vitamin D levels to the desired, or replete, range, Mason said.
The nutrient plays many important roles in the body. Vitamin D promotes bone growth and bone healing and, along with calcium, helps protect older adults from osteoporosis. The vitamin also influences cell growth, neuromuscular and immune function, and it reduces inflammation.
- Vitamin D is widely available and low cost, without many side effects at moderate doses,” Mason said.
- Thus, even if it delivers a small benefit in reducing breast cancer risk, that could be important at the population level.” The bottom line, Mason said, is common-sense advice: “Maintaining a healthy weight throughout adult life – especially avoiding postmenopausal weight gain – is important for reducing breast cancer risk,” she said.
“The role of vitamin D in postmenopausal breast cancer development is still unclear, but women could consult their doctor about having their blood vitamin D level checked and discuss whether they might benefit from some level of supplementation.” Grants from the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Susan G.
Komen for the Cure and the National Cancer Institute funded the study, one of only two clinical trials known to look at the potential effects of vitamin D on sex hormones in humans. Kristen Woodward, a science editor at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, has been in communications and media relations at Fred Hutch for more than 15 years.
Before that, she was a managing editor at the University of Michigan Health System and a reporter/editor at The Holland Sentinel, a daily in western Michigan. She has received many national awards for health and science writing. She received her B.A. in journalism from Michigan State University.
- Reach her at,
- Solid tumors, such as those of the breast, are the focus of, a network comprised of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, UW Medicine and Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.
- STTR is bridging laboratory sciences and patient care to provide the most precise treatment options for patients with solid tumor cancers.
: High blood levels of vitamin D linked to reduced estrogen – and potentially lower breast cancer risk
Which vitamins increase estrogen?
2. B Vitamins – Because B vitamins play a vital role in the creation of estrogen, low levels of B vitamins can result in reduced production of estrogen. Vitamins B2 and B6, in particular, are associated with healthy estrogen levels. In a recent study, for example, researchers tracked levels of B vitamins to the risk of breast cancer in menopausal women.
Does HRT make you look younger?
So, Does HRT Make You Look Younger? – Wanting to look younger is natural—after all, there’s a reason Fountain of Youth lore spans across cultures and continues to resonate with us. Age-related changes to your appearance suggest a loss of vitality. They can affect how you see yourself, how you are seen by others, and how you experience the world around you.
Often, it can feel as though you become a stranger in your own skin, as your appearance no longer reflects the way you feel inside. If you are struggling with the impact of age-related hormonal shifts, seeking the guidance of a highly trained practitioner who specializes in HRT can help counteract many of the physical changes that make you look and feel older.
By supplementing your body’s natural hormone levels, HRT can help you maintain a more youthful body composition, While this effect is particularly evident in men, research suggests that women can also benefit. HRT is also known to help women maintain softer, smoother skin, resulting in a younger look.
In addition to—and, often, as a result of—these physical changes, HRT often changes how you see yourself. In very real ways, using HRT to address symptoms of hormonal change can help you feel younger. It can give you more energy, elevate mood, and increase sex drive, It can make sex more comfortable and improve sleep in both men and women,
All of these things may help you not only feel better and more confident, they can also spur you to stay active and take better care of yourself. In other words, they can help you feel like yourself and allow you to present your best self to the world.
When is it too late to start HRT?
There is no specific age cut-off for starting HRT.
What is a natural estrogen replacement?
Traditional natural hormone replacement therapies – Traditional natural HRTs involve consuming plants or supplements containing compounds that may alleviate hormonal symptoms. Some plants and supplements that people may take to treat hormonal symptoms include:
phytoestrogens, which are dietary estrogens found in legumes, seeds, and whole grains folate (vitamin B-9 or folic acid) St. John’s wort black cohosh licorice root valerian root red clover evening primrose oil omega-3 fatty acids
Can you still be healthy without HRT?
So, although we do not need the levels of hormones that we had in our fertile life, replacing hormones appropriately for an individual woman can help maintain her health and prevent disease. Genetic factors, diet and lifestyle all also have a role to play towards our health.
Can you be OK without HRT?
Alternatives to HRT – If you’re unable to take HRT or decide not to, you may want to consider alternative ways of controlling your menopausal symptoms. Alternatives to HRT include:
lifestyle measures. such as exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, cutting down on coffee, alcohol and spicy foods, and stopping smokingtibolone – a medicine that’s similar to combined HRT (oestrogen and progestogen), but may not be as effective and is only suitable for women who had their last period more than 1 year ago antidepressants – some antidepressants can help with hot flushes and night sweats, although they can also cause unpleasant side effects such as agitation and dizziness clonidine – a non-hormonal medicine that may help reduce hot flushes and night sweats in some women, although any benefits are likely to be small
Several remedies (such as bioidentical hormones) are claimed to help with menopausal symptoms, but these are not recommended because it’s not clear how safe and effective they are. Bioidentical hormones are not the same as body identical hormones. Body identical hormones, or micronised progesterone, can be prescribed to treat menopausal symptoms.
What happens if you don’t take estrogen during menopause?
Does menopause ever end? – Yes and no. Once you hit the one-year milestone of life without a period, you’ve successfully made it through menopause. But hold off on the celebration. That milestone also marks the beginning of postmenopausal life, and things don’t just go back to the way they were.
Symptoms can linger for a lifetime. And the continued low estrogen levels lead to more serious health concerns. The rate of bone loss speeds up, increasing your risk of low bone density, osteopenia and osteoporosis. You also have a higher chance of having a heart attack, stroke or other heart-related issues.
If you love coffee, sugar, salt, cigarettes or alcohol, your risk for bone and heart issues are even higher.
What is the average age for menopause to end?
Understanding the menopausal transition – Menopause is a point in time 12 months after a woman’s last period. The years leading up to that point, when women may have changes in their monthly cycles, hot flashes, or other symptoms, are called the menopausal transition or perimenopause.
- The menopausal transition most often begins between ages 45 and 55.
- It usually lasts about seven years but can be as long as 14 years.
- The duration can depend on lifestyle factors such as smoking, age it begins, and race and ethnicity.
- During perimenopause, the body’s production of estrogen and progesterone, two hormones made by the ovaries, varies greatly.
The menopausal transition affects each woman uniquely and in various ways. The body begins to use energy differently, fat cells change, and women may gain weight more easily. You may experience changes in your bone or heart health, your body shape and composition, or your physical function.
How do I know if I need estrogen or progesterone?
Answer by : – It depends on your situation. Not all women need, want or are candidates for estrogen therapy. Estrogen can reduce menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats and, If you have a uterus, you’ll likely need to take progesterone along with the estrogen.
Decreases risk of osteoporosis, colon cancer and all-cause mortality Increases risk for breast cancer, stroke and cardiovascular disease
These risks are different for women that only require estrogen (patients without a uterus). Your OB-GYN can explain potential treatments for menopausal symptoms and recommend the best option for you. Menopause symptoms are treatable Get relief from hot flashes, low libido, night sweats and vaginal dryness.
What age is too late for estrogen?
Answer – Hormone therapy can be extremely beneficial for bone health purposes for women up to the age of 60 years, and in some circumstances women may continue hormone therapy after this age, depending on their general health, family history and bone density / history of fracture.
- It is not common to start hormone therapy for bone health at or after the age of 60.
- By the age of 60, arteries are generally stiffer and women at this age are more at risk of cardiovascular disease, hence commencing hormone therapy may increase their risk of cardiovascular disease or events.
- High blood pressure would increase this risk as well.
Bioidentical custom-compounded hormone therapy probably confers the same risks as conventional hormone therapy, but lacks safety data, so is not recommended (read our recent article on bioidentical hormone therapy here ). The general recommendations for bone health at age 60 years include maximising weight-bearing exercise, calcium within the diet around 1300mg per day, and maintenance of vitamin D levels around 75nmol/L, plus avoidance of risk factors such as alcohol excess and smoking.
Do you gain weight with HRT?
Weight gain and HRT – Many women believe that taking HRT will make them put on weight, but there’s no evidence to support this claim. You may gain some weight during the menopause, but this often happens regardless of whether you take HRT. Exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet should help you to lose any unwanted weight,
Does HRT make your breasts bigger?
Advice and guidance – Whether you’re thrilled or horrified at your newly inflated friends, there are several things you can do to make yourself more comfortable as your boob size shifts. It’s normal for your boobs to be tender, and shift in size and shape as your hormones hop about. These symptoms are unlikely to signal anything more serious. But if your breast skin changes thickness or puckers, your nipples invert or have a discharge, you’re in real pain, you have a lump, or one breast looks significantly different than the other – then see your doctor immediately.
- These symptoms could sit outside the perimenopause and be cause for concern.
- If you’re still stuffing your breasts into last year’s bra – it’s not going to be comfortable.
- Or good for your back either, which may need more support now.
- Go and get yourself measured.
- While you’re at it, treat yourself to some lovely new lingerie.
Whether your style is sporty or floral, go all the way and get matching knickers too. Then go home and chuck out all your old, faded bras and pants. We dare you. The perimenopause (and menopause for that matter) can be a troubling and exhausting time. You deserve some gorgeous and, most importantly, well-fitting underwear that properly supports your frame, and helps you feel good in your clothes and about yourself.
All these changes can make your tatas tender. So give them some TLC by wearing an extra supportive or sports bra at night. We sleep but gravity never does. In fact, researchers found that 85% of women with breast pain found relief by wearing a well-fitted sports bra during the day too. Sixty percent of people in one study said that gently massaging achy boobs with over-the-counter pain relief helped.
Or you could try primrose oil or vitamin B and E supplements, as these can all reduce the inflammation that goes hand in hand with boob swelling. Check out our other top tips on coping with sore and tender breasts, If you’re taking HRT HRT contains hormones that stimulate breast tissue and so breast tenderness and growth can be a side effect of your hormone therapy.
Speak to your doctor if you have any concerns about this. As we’ve mentioned, it’s common for women to pop on a few pounds as their bodies adjust to the perimenopause and menopause. If you realise your breasts aren’t the only part of you that’s swelled in size, then please don’t attempt to lose weight fast.
This will only take fat away too quickly and make your mammary glands sag. Slow, steady weight loss at the rate of one or two pounds a week is easier to maintain and much better for your body.
How do I know if I need estrogen or progesterone?
Answer by : – It depends on your situation. Not all women need, want or are candidates for estrogen therapy. Estrogen can reduce menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats and, If you have a uterus, you’ll likely need to take progesterone along with the estrogen.
Decreases risk of osteoporosis, colon cancer and all-cause mortality Increases risk for breast cancer, stroke and cardiovascular disease
These risks are different for women that only require estrogen (patients without a uterus). Your OB-GYN can explain potential treatments for menopausal symptoms and recommend the best option for you. Menopause symptoms are treatable Get relief from hot flashes, low libido, night sweats and vaginal dryness.
Do I need HRT if I feel OK?
Who can take HRT – Most women can have HRT if they’re having symptoms associated with the menopause. But HRT may not be suitable if you:
have a history of breast cancer, ovarian cancer or womb cancer have a history of blood clots have untreated high blood pressure – your blood pressure will need to be controlled before you can start HRThave liver disease are pregnant – it’s still possible to get pregnant while taking HRT, so you should use contraception until 2 years after your last period if you’re under 50, or for 1 year after the age of 50
In these circumstances, alternatives to HRT may be recommended instead.