Hormone Therapy

By using estrogen, progesterone & testosterone (yes, women need it too!) – three vital female hormones – Dr. Samuel Madeira can treat common symptoms of perimenopause, and other conditions.

When a woman’s period stops, hormone levels fall, resulting in uncomfortable physical symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and conditions like osteoporosis. By replacing the hormones that your body has recently ceased to produce, BHRT can be an effective treatment for symptoms of menopause.

Benefits of Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy

Two major forms of hormone replacement therapy exist, each with their own distinct advantages:

Systemic Hormone Therapy

Whether in a patch, gel, cream, or spray, systemic estrogen treatments remain an effective solution for menopausal hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal symptoms. While the FDA keeps estrogen treatments on the list of effective treatments for osteoporosis, doctors typically recommend other treatments to treat osteoporosis.

Low-Dose Vaginal Products

Low-dose vaginal treatments of estrogen can effectively treat vaginal and urinary symptoms while minimizing absorption into the body, therefore are not an effective treatment for hot flashes, night sweats, or osteoporosis.

For women, topical compounded creams and vaginal suppositories of estrogens are used most commonly (they are called, Bi-est, Tri-est, or Estriol).

For men, Testosterone cypionate or propionate is compounded in the pharmacy and injected intramuscularly in the gluteus medius or thighs or applied as a topical compounded testosterone cream.

Who Should Consider Hormone Replacement Therapy?

While there are risks involved with systemic estrogen treatments, it is still the most effective treatment for menopausal symptoms. For those experiencing the following, hormone replacement therapy may be right for you:

– Moderate to severe hot flashes
– Loss of bone mass without satisfactory results from other treatments
– Those experiencing premature menopause or premature ovarian insufficiency

Women who experience early menopause or those who have had their ovaries removed and don’t undergo HRT until age 45 have a higher risk of osteoporosis, coronary heat disease, earlier death, Parkinson’s-like symptoms, and anxiety/depression, but early menopause often lowers the risk of many types of breast cancer.

Your age, type of menopause, and time since menopause play a strong role in determining the risks involved with HRT. Speak with your doctor to learn more about your personal risks based on your medical history.

Estrogen Deficiency

Estrogen deficiency can be caused by Perimenopause and Menopause, or Premature ovarian decline.

Do you have any of the following symptoms? (If you answer yes to more than one symptom, then you could be estrogen deficient.)

• Acne
• Anxiety
• Arthritis Bladder problems (more infections, urinary leakage)
• Brittle hair and nails
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Decrease in breast size
• Decrease in dexterity
• Decrease in memory
• Decrease in sexual interest/ function
• Depression
• Diabetes
• Difficulty losing weight, even with diet and exercise
• Elevated blood pressure
• Elevated cholesterol
• Food cravings
• Fibromyalgia
• Heart attacks
• Increase in facial hair
• Increase in insulin resistance, which can lead to diabetes
• Increase in tension headaches
• Increased cholesterol
• Infertility
• Joint pain
• Low energy, especially at the end of the day
• More frequent migraines
• More wrinkles (aging skin)
• Oily skin
• Osteoporosis or Osteopenia
• Panic Attacks
• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
• Restless sleep
• Stress incontinence
• Strokes
• Thinner skin
• Thinning hair
• Urinary tract infections
• Vaginal Dryness
• Vulvodynia (vaginal pain)
• Weight gain around the middle

Estrogen excess

Estrogen excess typically occurs in younger women in ages 18-45 roughly and with “estrogen dominance” the progesterone-estrogen ratio is imbalanced. This can be due to the body unable to breakdown estrogens via the liver and other pathways.

Symptoms of Excess Estrogen

(If you answer yes to more than one symptom, then you could be estrogen dominant)

• Bloating
• Cervical dysplasia
• Decrease in sexual interest
• Depression with anxiety or agitation
• Elevated risk of developing breast cancer
• Fatigue
• Fibrocystic breasts
• Headaches
• Heavy periods
• Hypothyroidism (high estrogen levels causes low thyroid hormone levels)
• Increased risk of developing autoimmune diseases
• Increased risk of developing uterine cancer
• Irritability
• Mood swings
• Panic attacks
• Poor sleep
• Swollen breasts
• Uterine fibroids (non-cancerous tumors of the uterus)
• Water retention
• Weight gain (especially in the abdomen, hips, and thighs)

Progesterone Deficiency in Women

Symptoms of Progesterone Deficiency

Progesterone deficiency is caused by a variety of factors and can occur for women of all ages. It is a very common hormone deficiency.

• Anxiety
• Decreased HDL levels
• Decreased libido
• Depression
• Excessive menstruation (lasting longer than even days & abnormal heavy bleeding)
• Hypersensitivity
• Insomnia
• Migraine headaches prior to menstrual cycles
• Mood swings
• Nervousness
• Osteoporosis
• Pain and inflammation

Testosterone Replacement Therapy

Millions of men use prescription testosterone gels or injections to treat what the medical marketing industry calls “low T,” andropause, or testosterone deficiency in adult men. Unlinke menopause in women, men can develop andropause at any adult age.

The benefits of restoring testosterone levels are clear, though the methodology behind this treatment can be confusing and lead to problematic side effects.

By replacing lost or lowered levels of testosterone, adult males can feel more alert, energetic, mentally cognizant, and sexually functional. However, without careful guidance and professional treatment, these patients may face higher risks of cardiac problems.

Signs of Low Testosterone

• Depression and / or anxiety
• Compromised self-confidence
• Trouble concentrating
• Disturbed sleep
• Lowered sex drive
• Difficulty sustaining or achieving an erection (aka – Erectile Dysfunction)
• Decreased muscle or bone mass
• Increased body fat
• Fatigue
• Flushing or hot flashes
• Swollen and tender breasts

Risks Associated with Testosterone Replacement Therapy

A small number of men experience side effects associated with testosterone supplementation, though the evidence for long-term risks is mixed. Some researchers have found that men who undergo testosterone treatments experience fewer cardiovascular problems; others state men are at greater risk of cardiovascular complications as a result of testosterone replacement therapy. These risks are apparent with age, existing cardiovascular conditions, and greater risks of heart attack or stroke. Always undergo any testosterone replacement treatments under the strict supervision of a physician. Also, it’s imperitive to get advanced cardiovascular disease testing prior to beginning any hormone replacement therapy.

How do we test for hormones

At Apollo Health Clinic, we test your hormone levels using blood, urine, and saliva testing. One test we use frequently with patients is the DUTCH Test by Precision Analytical Labs. 

About the DUTCH Test

The DUTCH test from Precision Analytical Labs in Oregon, or Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones, measures hormones and hormone metabolites in a dried urine sample that can be self-administered from a patient’s home. Because the DUTCH test measures hormones metabolites in addition to hormones, the results are much more accurate and can provide your healthcare practitioner with a more complete picture of your body’s hormone production.

Because the test combines urine testing with blood and saliva hormone spot-testing at four different collection times throughout the day, it’s possible to track variations between hormone releases throughout a 24-hour period, offering highly-accurate results without the need for supplementary testing. Instead of the outdated 24 hour urine collection we can now test your complete hormones in 4 easy to do test samples. Watch this video on how to collect the DUTCH Test. 

The DUTCH Complete Test measures the following:

– Cortisol (active form of your adrenal hormone)
– Cortisone (inactive form of cortisol)
– Creatinine 
– Tetrahydrocortisone
– a-tetrahydrocortisol
– b-tetrahydrocortisol
– DHEAs (anabolic adrenal hormone)
– Progesterone, Estrogen, and Free Testosterone & Androgen metabolites (Total Testosterone has to be tested with blood serum tests)
– 6-OH melatonin-sulfate (melatonin)

This test urine test used with Precision Analytical Lab’s Cortisol Awakening Response (C.A.R.) saliva test is used as a comprehensive analysis of your hormone health (adrenal & sex hormones).  In some situations Dr. Samuel Madeira will order blood hormone testing for patients in the Essentials Program. 

This is the most modern technology to assess your hormones for safe and effective treatment outcomes. Please read more about Testosterone Replacement Therapy here. 

Dr. Samuel Madeira is here to assist both adult male and female patients with their hormone deficiencies. You do not have to suffer anymore with your health problems from having low hormones.