Hormone Replacement Therapy

SWFL Integrative Medicine

Board Certified Gynecologists & Integrative Medicine Specialists located in Fort Myers, FL

When the hormone levels in your body aren’t what they should be, hormone replacement therapy can rebalance your hormones and reverse the symptoms you’re experiencing. Expert integrative medicine specialist Heather Auld, MD, and her team at SWFL Integrative Medicine in Fort Myers, Florida, have considerable experience with using bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) to restore health to women and men who have hormone imbalances. To find out more, call SWFL Integrative Medicine today or book an appointment online.

239-208-6676

Hormone Replacement Therapy Q&A

What is hormone replacement therapy?

Hormone replacement therapy is a treatment you might need if you have a hormone imbalance. This problem can develop at different stages in both women’s and men's lives, although it’s most well-known as a treatment for female menopause.

Hormones are potent chemicals secreted by glands around your body. They’re messengers that carry orders from your brain to your organs, telling them how to operate. Hormones are responsible for fundamental functions like:

Reproduction
Metabolism
Growth regulation
Sex characteristics

Your body can only operate at peak efficiency if your hormones are well-balanced. Any imbalance in your hormone levels can cause significant, debilitating health issues. Hormone problems cause conditions like diabetes and thyroid disease, as well as having links to weight-management problems and mood disorders.

What are the symptoms of hormone imbalance?

Common symptoms of hormone imbalance include:

Fatigue
Irritability
Low libido
Infertility
Painful intercourse
Irregular periods
Weight gain
Hot flashes

At SWFL Integrative Medicine, the expert team members know that proper hormone balance is an essential aspect of good health. Depending on your symptoms, test results, and other information like your genetic history, you might benefit from hormone replacement therapy.

Your provider only recommends hormone replacement therapy if it could be of genuine benefit. There are also non-hormonal herbal treatments for hormonal problems like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), acne, and menstrual cycle issues, as well as menopausal symptoms.

Each case is unique, and your provider at SWFL Integrative Medicine tailors your treatment plan to what is likely to work best for you.

What is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy?

Conventional hormone replacement therapy uses primarily synthetic hormone sources. The problem is that synthetic hormones aren’t fully biocompatible with your body. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) uses hormones from natural sources to supplement your low hormone levels.

BHRT hormones come from plants. After processing in the lab, they’re an identical match for your natural hormones. That means BHRT is easier for your body to absorb and is less likely to cause an adverse reaction.

Furthermore, BHRT is made to a specific prescription for each patient, a process known as custom compounding. Your provider can assess exactly which hormones you need and at what levels, and order the precise blend for you.

The SWFL Integrative Medicine team specializes in using bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. More than 30 years of experience prescribing BHRT means the team is highly skilled in prescribing the lowest effective dose, which is also the safest.

If you’re having health problems that could be due to a hormone imbalance, call SWFL Integrative Medicine today or book an appointment online.