Ask Our Physicians: Hormone Therapy

DEAR DR. SMITH:

I’m having hot flashes and night sweats, and I often feel moody for no reason. I think I’m starting to go through menopause, and am very confused about hormone therapy. What are my treatment options? 

Menopause marks a natural progression in a woman’s life where the body produces decreased amounts of estrogen and progestin. Decreased hormones can cause symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood symptoms like depression and anxiety, and vaginal dryness. It can also cause a marked decrease in your sex drive. If menopausal symptoms interfere with your ability to enjoy life or get a good night of sleep, then hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is recommended to help manage symptoms and replace some of the hormones lost during menopause.

During your visit, we will discuss your symptoms and determine what type of hormone therapy is right for you. There are two types of hormone therapy: standard HRT and bioidentical HRT.

Standard HRT uses FDA-approved medications in the form of estrogen. If you still have your uterus, you may also be prescribed progestin. Hormones can be taken several different ways, including through gels, pills, skin patches, vaginal creams, and vaginal ring.

Bioidentical HRT uses “natural” hormones with the same molecular structure as hormones made by your body. Bioidenticals are available in pellets, creams, gel, and capsules. I recommend pellets as a convenient way to provide your hormone replacement. They are placed under the skin and consistently release small doses of bioidentical hormones for three to five months, which eliminates the need to apply daily topical hormones.

If you have questions about troublesome menopausal symptoms, and whether hormone replacement therapy is right for you, please call our office at (865)331-1122and schedule an appointment to learn more about your options.

About Dr. Smith:

G. Walton Smith, MD, MBA, FACOG understands the full scope of women’s health concerns and feels maintaining open and honest communication with patients is imperative to provide the best possible care. Dr. Smith specializes in:

• Gynecology
• Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
• Bioidentical Pellet Therapy
• Vaginal Rejuvenation
• Laparoscopic Hysterectomy
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Pelvic Support

For more information about Dr. Smith, please click here to see his profile. He is accepting new patients, and you can make an appointment with him by calling the office at (865)331-1122.

Disclaimer: please note that this information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to serve as medical advice. If you have a specific medical question or issue, we encourage you to call our office at (865) 331-1122 and schedule an appointment.