Just as the seasons transition throughout the year, so do our bodies as we age. Mood fluctuations, hot flashes and sleep disturbances might become more noticeable as you get older. But did you know these can be linked to hormonal shifts? Hormones are key players in our well-being, affecting everything from our mood and energy to our weight and metabolism.
As we wrap up in cozy layers and enjoy the unique beauty of Kansas City winters, the new year is the perfect time to gain a deeper understanding of hormonal health. If you’re ready to kick off this year with better health, read on to discover how hormone therapy can be a proactive step and a transformative experience.
Understanding Hormonal Changes and Their Impact
The Shift in Hormones
As women age, hormones can become unbalanced, and certain hormonal levels may begin to drop. As a result, women can end up with symptoms related to deficiencies and imbalances of estrogen, testosterone and progesterone, among other hormones.
Common Symptoms
- Hot flashes
- Irritability
- Heart palpitations
- Depression
- Low libido
- Vaginal dryness
- Increase in body fat, particularly in the waist and abdominal area
- Night sweats
- Anxiety and fatigue
- Memory changes and reduced mental focus
- Wrinkles
- Pain in the joints
- Trouble sleeping and staying asleep
- Severe headaches
- Adult acne
- Higher LDL cholesterol
- Osteoporosis
Impact on Life and Productivity
Hormonal changes can significantly disrupt daily life and reduce productivity. The impact of these changes is not just physiological but can extend into various aspects of everyday living.
Personal Relationships: Mood swings can lead to emotional unpredictability, making interactions with family and friends more challenging.
Workplace: Maintaining the same level of engagement or enthusiasm in work tasks may become challenging, affecting career progress or job satisfaction.
Sleep Disturbances and Cognitive Function: Insufficient or poor-quality sleep can lead to decreased concentration, memory lapses and a general decline in cognitive performance. This can make it difficult to focus on tasks, manage time effectively or make decisions.
Overall Well-being and Lifestyle: The cumulative effect of these symptoms can lead to a decrease in overall well-being, where individuals may find less enjoyment in activities they previously loved.
Proactive Management
If you’re experiencing menopause symptoms, awareness and proactive management are key. Lifestyle adjustments, medical advice and possible treatments like hormone therapy can help manage these symptoms, allowing you to maintain a fulfilling life during this transition. Kansas City Medical & Wellness Center provides a safe and effective hormone therapy that can restore your original hormone levels while reducing the many acute and chronic conditions that women experience due to drops in hormone levels.
Understanding Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy works by supplementing the body with hormones it’s no longer producing at sufficient levels, like estrogen and progesterone. This treatment can be administered in various forms, including pills, patches, creams and injections, depending on individual needs and medical advice.
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) For Women
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy, or BHRT for women, helps to restore and maintain your natural, youthful hormone levels. The hormones we use at KC Wellness Center are the exact replicas of the hormones that your body produced when you were younger. They have identical chemical structures and are safely re-introduced into your body to restore your health, vitality and function. Since they are natural and identical to what is already in your body, they have very few side effects, unlike synthetic hormones.
The Benefits of Hormone Therapy
A study published in the Journal of Prescribing Practice reported, “The results demonstrated a significant improvement of 52% in quality of life after bioidentical hormone replacement therapy treatment. All 21 menopausal symptoms assessed were greatly reduced after BHRT treatment.”
Improved Mood and Emotional Well-being: By balancing hormone levels, hormone therapy can help stabilize mood swings, reducing feelings of irritability or sadness. This leads to better emotional health and more stable relationships.
Reduction of Menopausal Symptoms: Hot flashes and night sweats are common menopausal symptoms that can be alleviated with hormone therapy. This leads to greater comfort and less disruption in daily activities.
Enhanced Sleep Quality: Hormone therapy can help manage sleep disturbances, improving sleep quality. Improved sleep contributes to higher energy levels and better overall health.
Increased Energy Levels: With the reduction of symptoms like hot flashes and improvement in sleep quality, women often experience a boost in their energy levels, allowing them to engage more actively in their daily routines and hobbies.
Better Sexual Health: Hormonal imbalances can affect sexual health. Hormone therapy can help in improving libido and reducing vaginal dryness, enhancing sexual well-being.
Protection Against Bone Loss: Post-menopausal women are at increased risk of osteoporosis. Hormone therapy can help in maintaining bone density, thus protecting against fractures.
A study published in the Menopause Review reported, “Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) at different doses rapidly normalizes turnover, preserves bone mineral density (BMD) at all skeletal sites, leading to a significant, reduction in vertebral and non-vertebral fractures.”
Personalizing Hormone Therapy
The North American Menopause Society recommends that “Treatment should be individualized using the best available evidence to maximize benefits and minimize risks, with periodic reevaluation of the benefits and risks of continuing therapy.”
Personalizing hormone therapy is crucial because each woman’s experience with hormonal changes is distinctive and influenced by her body’s unique chemistry, lifestyle and overall health.
When you visit KC Medical & Wellness Center, we will set aside time to talk to you about your overall health, including your health history and the changes you’ve experienced with the onset of menopause. Then, we will give you a comprehensive medical exam and blood tests that will help us determine your customized plan. This plan is designed just for your body and may include various levels of natural estrogen and progesterone.
Factors Influencing Personalized Plans
Individual Symptoms: Women experience various symptoms during hormonal changes, ranging from mild to severe. While one woman might suffer from intense hot flashes, another might struggle more with mood swings or sleep disturbances. Personalized therapy looks at the specific symptoms and their severity to tailor the treatment.
Lifestyle Considerations: A woman’s daily routine, physical activity levels and stress factors helps determine the most suitable hormone therapy approach. For instance, a highly active woman might benefit from a different treatment strategy than someone with a more sedentary lifestyle.
Health History: It’s essential to have a thorough evaluation of a woman’s health history. This includes any pre-existing conditions, allergies and previous responses to medications. Identifying these helps in predicting how she might respond to hormone therapy and in identifying any potential risks or contraindications.
Age and Stage of Menopause: The age at which a woman begins experiencing menopausal symptoms and her stage in the menopausal process influences the type and dosage of hormone therapy. Early menopause or perimenopause may require a different approach compared to late menopause.
UpToDate, a clinical research journal, reported that “Almost all women who seek initiation of medical therapy for menopausal symptoms do so in their late 40s or 50s. Women in this age group should be reassured that the absolute risk of complications for healthy, young, postmenopausal women taking MHT for five years is very low.”
Personal Preferences and Goals: Understanding a woman’s personal preferences, such as her comfort with using certain types of medications or her long-term health goals, is important. Some may prefer pills over patches, or vice versa, and providers should respect these preferences.
Developing and Monitoring the Plan
A personalized hormone therapy plan begins with a detailed consultation. First, we will sit down with you and discuss your symptoms and health history. You’ll receive a thorough examination and, most likely, a blood test that will help us determine your current hormone function. Together, we’ll determine a customized treatment plan that will be used for you and you only. It may include estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). This may be given in different forms, such as pills, creams, patches or gels.
Once you begin your course of treatment, you’ll return for weekly or monthly follow-up appointments so that we can gauge your plan’s success. This helps ensure that you are getting the full benefits of BHRT. Regular follow-ups and adjustments are crucial, as the body’s response to therapy might change over time. Finding a local healthcare provider is essential to successfully attend follow-up appointments.
Real-Life Success Stories
The journey through hormonal changes is personal and varied, but hearing real-life success stories can offer inspiration and insight. Here are some testimonials from women who have experienced positive transformations through hormone therapy with KC Wellness.
“When I found Dr. Richardson, I was experiencing terrible hot flashes, mood swings and was just tired every day. I had a hard time sleeping at night and a hard time getting out of bed every morning. Even though my diet has not changed, I have gained 22 pounds in one year. Dr. Richardson placed me on a hormone replacement regimen 4 weeks ago and my energy levels have improved, I am sleeping through the night most nights, my hot flashes have disappeared and I have lost 12 pounds! I am feeling like a new person already. My husband and I cannot thank Dr. Richardson enough.” – Jennifer R.
“Coming to KC Wellness is the best thing I have ever done for myself and my marriage! I do HRT, and the process was so easy. I feel very comfortable asking about concerns I have about my health, and I’m always happy with the help I receive.” – Jodi
While each woman’s experience is unique, the common thread is the positive transformation in their quality of life. This indicates the broad spectrum of outcomes that hormone therapy can offer.
Why KC Wellness Center is Your Ideal Choice for Hormone Therapy in Kansas City
The complexities of hormone therapy require expertise, convenience and accessibility. For those living in and around Kansas City, KC Wellness is a prime choice for anyone considering hormone therapy.
At KC Wellness, you will be welcomed by our team of highly skilled doctors and staff who specialize in hormone health. We bring a combination of expertise, compassion and up-to-date knowledge to their practice. Our approach goes beyond medical prescriptions; we focus on comprehensive care that encompasses your physical, emotional and lifestyle needs during hormonal changes.
One of our doctors, Dr. Marilyn Richardson, is a nationally recognized leader in specialized women’s healthcare. As a researcher, educator and clinician, Dr. Richardson has the credentials and experience that inspire confidence in providing the specialized care and extra support you need to reach optimal health.
For residents of Kansas City and the surrounding areas, KC Wellness offers easy access to top-notch healthcare without the hassle of long-distance travel. Being close to home adds comfort and convenience, making it easier to attend appointments and follow-up sessions. This accessibility is beneficial for hormone therapies, which often require regular monitoring and adjustments.
If you’re in the Kansas City area and experiencing signs of hormonal imbalance, consider the convenience and expertise that KC Wellness Center offers. Contact us today to schedule a consultation. Our team is ready to guide you through your options and support you on your journey to hormone health in the new year.
**As with any medicine or medical procedure, results may vary from individual to individual.
Dr. Rahul Kapur, M.D. is a board-certified family medicine physician with a dedicated passion for integrative medicine and a deep knowledge of functional medicine. He was named intern of the year at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, KS, and has been practicing as a hospitalist for over a decade. He has successfully helped many patients in Kansas City with his specialized IV bags, ketamine therapy, hormone optimization and weight loss therapy methods.