If you a female considering estrogen replacement therapy but are unsure about if it’s the right treatment for you, Dr. Lodge and the staff at Cool Springs MD will ensure that you have all the information needed to make the best decision for your health. We welcome patients in Brentwood, Franklin, the greater Nashville area, and the surrounding cities of Tennessee.
What is Estrogen Replacement Therapy?
Estrogen replacement therapy uses natural estrogen that is produced outside of the body to raise your body’s estrogen level. This hormone plays an important role in women’s health, particularly for those who have low estrogen levels. The hormonal imbalance that results from low estrogen levels can be the source of your symptoms, and estrogen replacement therapy can reverse these imbalances and provide relief of your symptoms.
What is Testosterone Replacement Therapy for Women?
As women age, their natural production of testosterone decreases, just like estrogen and other hormones. Low levels of testosterone can cause hormonal deficiencies and imbalances. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) helps replace low testosterone levels in both men and women and keeps it at a therapeutic range for function. In fact, more and more women are receiving TRT and experiencing positive benefits as a result.
How Much Does Estrogen Replacement Therapy Cost?
The cost of estrogen replacement therapy can vary. There are multiple factors that can influence the cost of treatment, including administration method, dosage, and duration of treatment. Here at Cool Springs MD, we will make sure you are informed of all the options available to you so that you can choose the treatment method that is best for you.
Am I a Candidate for Estrogen Replacement Therapy?
Although estrogen replacement therapy is a great treatment option currently available for women concerned about hormonal imbalances, it is not recommended for everyone. Please reach out to us so you can get a consultation about whether estrogen replacement therapy is a viable option or the other treatment plans that are recommended for you.
How Does Estrogen Replacement Therapy Work?
With menopause, women’s ovaries stop producing estrogen as well as testosterone. Estrogen replacement therapy raises the level of estrogen which has many beneficial effects on your body.
Estrogen can be delivered into your body by several methods including pills, patches, creams, gels, vaginal rings, injections, and pellets. Oral estrogen, unlike other methods, passes through your stomach and then your liver having undesired effects on your blood clotting factors making oral estrogen a less desirable delivery method. Each of these different methods have different mechanisms, but they all are designed to raise your body’s estrogen levels.
Why is Estrogen Replacement Therapy Used?
Estrogen replacement therapy works by elevating estrogen levels in menopausal women. The use of estrogen replacement therapy relieves common symptoms of menopause including hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, loss of libido, depression, urinary symptoms, vaginal dryness and painful intercourse. The use of estrogen replacement therapy has also been shown to reduce bone loss/osteoporosis, reduce colon cancer risk, and improve mood and sleep problems that commonly occur with menopause. Estrogen also increases production of skin collagen which slows aging and improves skin elasticity.
Women who still have their uterus and use estrogen must also take a hormone progesterone. Estrogen causes the lining of the uterus to grow or proliferate and without progesterone, could cause an overgrowth of the uterine lining which could result in uterine cancer. Progesterone keeps this from occurring.
Estrogen therapy is not recommended for women who:
- Are currently pregnant
- Have unexplained vaginal bleeding
- Have a history of breast cancer
- Active liver disease
- Some types of blood clotting disorders
What is Recovery Like After Estrogen Replacement Therapy?
Estrogen replacement therapy can range from non-invasive to a minimally invasive treatment, and you will have little to no down time. Recovery is minimal so you can get back to living your life with an improved quality of life.
How Long Will My Estrogen Replacement Therapy Results Last?
Estrogen replacement therapy results last for as long as your body’s estrogen levels are elevated to the proper range. The duration for which your body retains this estrogen can vary depending on the delivery method that is chosen and your body’s individual response to the treatment.
Think estrogen replacement therapy is the right treatment method for you? If you live in Brentwood, Nashville, Franklin or the nearby towns in Tennessee, contact Cool Springs MD to schedule a consultation with Dr. Lodge.