HORMONE THERAPY
Are you tired, irritable, not sleeping, and fed up with the rubber tire that has appeared on your midline?
Read on to learn why a Hormone Imbalance is likely at play.
Hormone Imbalance
Hormones underscore our health and vitality. When balanced, the more than 100 hormones in our body work together harmoniously. But like symphony orchestra, when even one piece falls out of tune the harmonious balance is lost, and we can develop distressing symptoms and disease. Aging, stress, poor nutrition, and environmental exposures threaten our hormone balance. As a woman ages, hormone imbalance can lead to problems ranging from PMS, weight change, insomnia, hot flashes, memory disturbance, mood changes, joint pains, loss of sexual desire (libido), vaginal dryness, and loss of bladder control. The chaotic hormone changes that mark the peri-menopause contribute to increased symptoms, risk of disease including breast cancer and rate of aging.
The Menopause Transition
Early in the menopause transition, women often begin to experience disruptive symptoms such as sleeplessness and mood disturbance even while periods are still happening with a regular cycle.
The higher estrogen state that can accompany the early peri-menopause may mean that she has swollen, tender breasts, heavy bleeding and increased pre-menstrual symptoms (i.e. PMS). During this phase, there are few treatment options that are conventionally available to women. Dr. Pearlman addresses this gap in care through a more integrative approach to reduce early symptoms and mitigate the increased risks. As periods become more irregular, estrogen levels begin to decline and trigger further symptoms such as the hallmark hot flashes and night sweats.
Integrative Approach
The good news is that there are many proven and effective options to control symptoms. Maintaining a healthy body weight, minimizing use of alcohol and caffeine and partaking in regular exercise are all important lifestyle interventions. During peri-menopause when estrogen levels are still high, non-hormonal and herbal therapies such as researched derivatives of black cohosh, rhubarb, soy and red clover may be helpful. But as progesterone and later estrogen levels fall, hormonal options are an important consideration.
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Bioidentical Hormones
Bioidentical hormones are those that resemble our own hormones in structure and function and have the same lock-and-key fit with the hormone receptors. Bioidentical hormones may be available as Health Canada approved products or in a customized format. Dr. Pearlman has extensive experience and expertise in the prescribing of custom compounded bioidentical hormones that are designed to treat the individual needs of patients on a case by case basis. Hormone therapy can be given in different formats including capsules, patches, creams and vaginal therapies.The delicate art of evaluating and treating hormone imbalance is a highly individualized process. While hormones are vital to health; they are but one piece of the puzzle of aging.
Dr. Pearlman offers a lifestyle based, integrative approach and bioidentical hormone therapy in conjunction with well woman care to expertly help her patients navigate the menopause transition and age their best.
Hormone therapy requires a highly individualized assessment that considers each woman’s unique set of symptoms, risks, goals and preferences. When prescribed in the right form, dose and route by a well qualified medical expert, hormone therapy can be an integral part of navigating midlife aging successfully.
Dr. Jennifer Pearlman is certified, trained and experienced in Women’s health and the use of Bioidentical Hormone Therapy in Toronto. In addition to her role as Staff Physician at the largest Menopause Clinic in Canada, Dr. Pearlman is a NAMS certified Menopause Practitioner, Fellow of Functional and Regenerative Medicine and Board Certified in Anti-Aging Medicine.
At Pearl Rejuvenation, Dr. Pearlman combines the evidence-based science of western medicine with naturopathy, nutritional science and genomics to help her patients achieve optimal hormone health and Ageless Vitality.
Our Health & Wellness Programs are designed to fit your individual goals and needs.
