When Should a Woman Start Hormone Therapy?

For some women, menopause and the time leading up to it means a few hot flashes and night sweats but not much more. Meanwhile, other women start to have problems as they approach menopause that disturb their ability to function well and perform their day-to-day activities. No matter how your body reacts to all the changes, you may want some help to smooth your transition into menopause. Do not panic! Hormone replacement can provide that help, and Dr. Edward Jacobson can provide that service to you. However, you may wonder when should a woman start hormone therapy? Read on to learn more.

What Kind of Symptoms Can Happen With Menopause?

The list is long when considering what problems can pop up due to hormone changes. These are some of the symptoms that might occur:

  • Fatigue
  • Thinning hair
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Heart palpitations
  • Anxiety and/or depression
  • Dry skin, hair, and/or nails
  • Hot flashes and/or night sweats
  • Weight gain or increasing body fat
  • Difficulty concentrating or brain fog
  • Migraines (more often or new onset)
  • Joint pain and associated body aches
  • Low sex drive or difficulty achieving an orgasm
  • Poor sleep, even without having night sweats to wake you
  • Mood swings, increased irritability, unexplainable crying spells

Almost any new problem, or worsening problem, could be related to hormone shifts, so do not hesitate to explore whether hormone replacement could help.

It is important to remember that symptoms can come and go at first. You could be very symptomatic for a period, then the symptoms disappear for some time before they return.

When Could I Start to Notice Changes?

Believe it or not, menopause-related changes can start about ten years before you have your last period. Your ovaries can work normally for a few months, then falter for a month or two, then revert to normal cycles for six months, then back to poor hormone production, and so on. Symptoms can come and go monthly, and sometimes, can change daily during times of poor ovarian function.

If you are a woman experiencing any issues with your reproductive organs or inconsistencies with cycles, you could be experiencing a hormonal imbalance and should connect with a physician to discuss starting hormone therapy. A physician can help rule out any other cause for the symptom. Then, when all tests are pointing toward early menopausal symptoms, you can safely work on regaining balance of your hormones and returning to a happier life.

When Should I Start Hormone Replacement?

Starting hormone replacement therapy is always a personal decision because every woman’s body is different. You need to weigh risks against benefits. If you have a strong family history of breast cancer, you might be more hesitant to use this method of treatment. If symptoms from an imbalance are negatively affecting your life, you will want to alleviate those symptoms promptly. Each woman will have her own reasons for starting hormone replacement.

We believe that using compounded bioidentical hormone replacement products is safe for any woman, no matter what her personal and family medical history is. This means that we will prescribe hormones to replace the ones that your ovaries are not producing very well any longer to help relieve your symptoms. You can start treatment at any age and continue for as long as you wish.

Call Us Today to Determine When Women Should Begin Therapy for Their Hormones

When you are experiencing physical and mental health issues from a hormonal imbalance, know that you are not alone and you do not have to suffer any longer. We can help you regain control of your life through hormone replacement therapy.

The most asked question is, “When should a woman start hormone therapy?” This is a personal decision, and it is usually based on how bad your symptoms are affecting your life. Luckily, we can guide you through the process and help you determine the best treatment for your body.  Call today to make an appointment with Dr. Edward Jacobson and explore what can be done with bioidentical hormones.