Hormone Replacement Therapy Specialist

What is hormone replacement therapy?

Our body makes many different types of hormones, which are proteins that are produced and circulate in our body and then act on different tissues to help our bodies function regularly. In reproductive health, the main hormones are estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. But, there are other hormones that your gynecologists will look at if you are having problems with your periods, including things like thyroid hormones and prolactin. Our hormones naturally fluctuate based on their function. Some patients find that they may need replacement at some time in their life. For some women, this can mean some thyroid hormone replacement. In the fifth decade of life, as our ovaries stop producing our main reproductive hormones, women can also choose to replace the hormones estrogen and progesterone to counteract the symptoms of menopause.

What are bioidentical hormones?

Bioidentical hormones are hormones that are created to mimic the structure of natural hormones. Because they use the same chemical structure as the hormones naturally produced by the body, the body recognizes, processes and eliminates bioidentical hormones in the same way it treats natural hormones. For estrogen this means using estradiol and estriol. Dr. Karen Taylor uses only bioidentical hormones. Whether or not you are prescribed bioidentical hormones from a compounding pharmacy or from a pharmaceutical company will depend on your symptoms and needs. Both of these hormones are synthesized from the same raw ingredients. Dr. Karen Taylor will spend the time to explain all of the differences with you and explain your options.

How can I tell if HRT is right for me?

HRT can be a great solution for many women experiencing symptoms due to a decline in natural hormone production, but it’s not ideal for every woman. The best way to find out if bioidentical hormone replacement therapy could be a good choice for specific symptoms and concerns is to schedule an office visit to learn more about HRT and to have a physical examination and evaluation. Dr. Karen Taylor considers bioidentical HRT one option for the treatment for menopause. For patients who choose not use HRT, there are natural approaches for all the symptoms of menopause.