Hormone Replacement Therapy in Miami

Hormone Replacement Therapy Q & A

What is hormone replacement therapy?

Hormones are chemical messengers that manage almost all of your body’s major processes, from your heart rate to digestion. Even a small imbalance can cause noticeable changes.

The team at Lievano Perez Obstetrics and Gynecology of Miami restores optimal balance to your hormones with bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). They’re certified providers of BioTE hormone pellets, which are custom-made to treat your specific hormone imbalance.

Bioidentical hormones are molecularly identical to the hormones (estrogen and progesterone) your body produces naturally. That means your body treats bioidentical hormones exactly the same as real ones.

What causes a hormone imbalance in women?

Hormone levels naturally decline with age and may fluctuate in response to lifestyle factors, such as stress. Most women experience the most dramatic decreases in hormones during and after menopause.

Other conditions that may lead to a hormone imbalance include:

• Surgical removal of the ovaries
• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Certain medications, such as hormonal birth control pills, can also cause your hormone levels to fluctuate.

What symptoms does hormone replacement therapy treat?

Hormone imbalances can cause distressing physical, mental, and emotional symptoms. The team at Lievano Perez Obstetrics and Gynecology of Miami uses BHRT to provide relief from a variety of symptoms, such as:

• Weight gain
• Fatigue
• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Insomnia
• Decreased sex drive

In addition to these symptoms, low levels of estrogen can cause vaginal discomfort, such as dryness, itching, and pain during intercourse.

What should I expect from hormone replacement therapy?

First, your OB-GYN at Lievano Perez Obstetrics and Gynecology of Miami performs a physical exam and reviews your symptoms and medical history to make sure you’re a good candidate for BHRT. Then, they take a comprehensive blood work panel to identify your specific hormone imbalances.

The team at Lievano Perez Obstetrics and Gynecology of Miami sends your blood work information to a lab, where your BioTE pellets are custom-compounded. When the pellets arrive a short time later, you return to the office to have them inserted.

The most common area to insert BioTE pellets is above the buttocks. Your provider numbs the area before inserting the pellets beneath your skin. Every patient is unique, but most women notice improvement within a couple of weeks. Full hormone optimization may take up to six months.