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Re-EVOLVE MedSpa, 13547 N Litchfield Road St#32, Surprise, AZ (2026)

09/05/2024

By 2025 there will be 1 billion menopausal women in the world. Approximately 25 million women in the United States, with many more expected to enter this phase soon, yet there is a significant lack of awareness about it among women, as revealed by a survey conducted by the North American Menopause Society (NAMS). Symptoms of perimenopause are often misunderstood or attributed to other factors, leading to delays in seeking medical care and support. These symptoms, such as hot flashes and mood swings, can profoundly impact women’s quality of life and workplace performance. Healthcare disparities in access to information about perimenopause and treatment exist, particularly among underserved communities, highlighting the need for education initiatives to ensure all women receive accurate support during this transitional phase.

What is Perimenopause?
Perimenopause refers to the transitional phase leading up to menopause, marking the gradual decline of reproductive hormones in a woman’s body. Surprisingly a woman can begin experiencing perimenopausal symptoms as early as her mid 30’s. and ends when her menstrual cycle ceases.

Common symptoms expressed by the perimenopausal woman include brain fog, anxiety, irregular me**es, fluctuating hormone levels, and various symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and changes in libido. Perimenopause can be a challenging time for many women as they navigate the physical, mental, and emotional changes associated with the end of their reproductive years.

How menopause occurs
For most women, menopause is marked by the end of monthly menstruation (also known as a menstrual period or ‘period’) due to loss of ovarian follicular function. This means that the ovaries stop releasing eggs for fertilization.

The regularity and length of the menstrual cycle varies across a woman’s reproductive life span, but the age at which natural menopause occurs is generally between 45 and 55 years for women worldwide.

Natural menopause is deemed to have occurred after 12 consecutive months without menstruation for which there is no other obvious physiological or pathological cause and in the absence of clinical intervention.

Menopause can also be induced because of surgical procedures that involve removal of both ovaries or medical interventions that cause cessation of ovarian function (for example radiation therapy or chemotherapy).

Changes associated with menopause
The hormonal changes associated with menopause can affect physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being. The symptoms experienced during and following the menopausal transition vary substantially from person to person. About a third of women don't have any symptoms. About half experience significant symptoms and another third have severe symptoms,
Some can experience symptoms for several years.

As the ovaries stop working, levels of estrogen fall, causing the symptoms of menopause. Symptoms can vary greatly for women.

• Hot flashes: Also called hot flushes, about 75 percent of all women experience brief, sudden increases in body temperature. Heart palpitations or dizziness may accompany the feeling of being hot. If experienced at night, it’s called a “night sweat.” Hot flashes and night sweats typically last one to two years. It's a rise in temperature, usually from the chest up. There is a surge in adrenaline, too, that can cause anxiety.
• Vaginal dryness: The tissues of the va**na and urethra may become thin and dry. This can lead to pain during in*******se and in some cases, more serious problems such as vaginitis (an inflammation of the va**na that can cause discharge, itching and pain) and cystitis (urinary tract infection).
• Hair changes: Some women may find increased facial hair and scalp hair may become thin.
• Fatigue: Hormonal imbalances during menopause may cause women to feel tired or sluggish.
• Skin dryness: As estrogen levels decrease, fewer of the skin’s natural collagens and oils are stimulated. This can result in dry, itchy skin.
• Insomnia: During menopause a woman’s hormones are in flux, including a hormone called progesterone, which is known to help regulate sleep patterns.
• Urinary weakness
• Pelvic floor weakens, which causes the urge to urinate more frequently or urinary leakage
• Mood changes
• Increase in irritability, anxiety and/or depression

Treatments for Menopause Symptoms
Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), also known as postmenopausal hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy, is the most effective treatment for menopause. As the name suggests, MHT replaces the hormones — estrogen and, sometimes, progesterone

Having lower levels of estrogen is the root cause of tell-tale menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes, va**nal dryness, and mood changes, and low estrogen levels are also associated with a higher risk of osteoporosis and heart disease. "Hormone therapy started early in menopause can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, which is the number one killer of women. Both physicians and patients are realizing now that hormones are vital to health and well-being.”

Low-Dose Antidepressants
Hot flashes, also called vasomotor symptoms, are the symptom most women going through menopause seek treatment for, according to Cedars-Sinai.

Currently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved using paroxetine, an SSRI antidepressant, for the treatment of hot flashes. This antidepressant is the only non-hormonal treatment that's FDA-approved to treat hot flashes.

If you're using antidepressants to help relieve hot flashes, you generally won't take a dosage as high as someone taking antidepressants to manage depression. The recommended paroxetine dosage for hot flashes is 7.5 mg once daily at bedtime, while people taking the SSRI for depression will usually start at 20 milligrams per day, according to the Mayo Clinic. Side effects are dose-dependent, so if you're taking paroxetine for hot flashes, you're less likely to experience side effects from it than if you were taking it for depression.

Other medications: gabapentin, Clonidine, pregabalin

Optimizing Your Diet
Drugs aren't your only course of action to treat persistent menopause symptoms. Changing your diet and prioritizing certain nutrients has been shown to help manage symptoms, too. For example, including foods rich in phytoestrogens (or plant estrogens) has been shown to help reduce hot flashes as well as improve sleep, cognition, and bone health,

Getting more calcium and vitamin D can also help stave off bone loss. The NIH recommends getting at least 1,200 mg of calcium and 800 to 1,000 IUs of vitamin D every day. Calcium-rich foods include dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt, as well as calcium-fortified foods such as cereals. There aren't many foods rich in vitamin D, so you're best off taking a quality D3 supplement.

Exercising More
While hitting the gym or a HIIT class may not do wonders for banishing night sweats, exercising more can help stave off the long-term effects of menopause.

For example, exercising has been shown to improve postmenopausal women's triglyceride levels and lower their body fat, which are two risk factors of cardiovascular disease (and remember, cardiovascular disease risk increases once we hit menopause),

What's more, research shows that exercising regularly — specifically, strength or resistance training — can help improve bone density and stave off osteoporosis, another condition women are more likely to experience during and after menopause.

What Exactly is a Bio-identiacal Hormone
The term “bioidentical” means that a hormone is chemically and structurally identical to the hormone that the body naturally produces. Bioidentical hormone therapy used to treat menopausal symptoms typically contains estradiol which is, in fact, identical to the estradiol used in traditional hormone therapy. Thus, the term bioidentical hormone therapy can be confusing; there are bioidentical hormones approved by the FDA, but there are also compounded bioidentical hormone therapies.

FDA-approved bioidentical hormones include estradiol, estrone, and micronized progesterone, which are regulated and monitored for purity and efficacy according to FDA guidelines.

Mindfulness and meditation
These practices can help improve thinking and mood. Mindfulness meditation can help you focus on the present moment, which may help reduce how much hot flashes bother you.

Yoga
Yoga may be as effective as other types of exercise for relieving menopause symptoms.

Acupuncture
Some studies suggest that acupuncture may help reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes, but results are conflicting.

Hypnosis
Research suggests that hypnosis may help reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes.

Red clover
A review of 11 studies found that red clover was more effective at alleviating hot flashes than a placebo.

Soy
Many studies indicate that soy can reduce hot flashes. You can ask your provider if a soy supplement might be right for you.

Protein-rich foods
Eating protein throughout the day can help prevent the loss of lean muscle mass that occurs with age.

Handheld fans and "chillows"
These products can help reduce body temperature for women who experience hot flashes.

Cognitive behavior therapy, Reflexology, Homeopathy

Supporting someone through menopause
Menopause can be associated with many physical and emotional changes for women, and this can make it a challenging and complicated time.

If you know someone who might be going through menopause or perimenopause, it’s useful for you to find out more about how you can support them. A great place to start is

The Menopause Society: https://menopause.org/

Susan Corbett APRN, CNM, MSCP

08/26/2024

Menopause and Intimacy

All women experience menopause differently, and many women experience changes in their s*x life during this time. You may have heard about menopause impacting a women’s ‘libido’ or s*xual desire.
Some women may enjoy s*x more because they no longer worry about what other people think and feel a sense of freedom as they age, or there is no longer a concern or need for birth control. While others may find they no longer feel s*xual desire or no longer want to have s*x and that can be really upsetting. What causes a woman to change the way she once did about s*x?
Well hormones play a big role in a woman’s life and for many menopause (often described as not having had a menstrual cycle in 12 months or more) may be the most difficult time. Estrogen levels fall dramatically as a woman approaches and passes menopause; this can result in a wide array of symptoms. But most concerning are those women who suffer from Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). A newer more inclusive term that describes various menopausal symptoms and signs such as these listed here.

Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
Genitourinary syndrome of menopause is a chronic, progressive condition of the v***a, va**na, and lower urinary tract which is characterized by the following signs/symptoms:

Vaginal Symptoms
• Vaginal dryness
• Vaginal irritation/burning/itching
• Thinning/graying p***c hair
• Vaginal pelvic pain/pressure
• Shortened narrowed va**na
• Loss of stretchiness
• Minor cuts (lacerations) near the opening
• Whitish discoloration to the va**na
• Decrease in size of the l***a

S*xual Symptoms
• Painful s*xual in*******se
• Decreased lubrication during s*xual activity
• Bleeding after s*xual activity
• Decreased arousal/loss of libido
• Inability to or**sm or painful or**sm

Urinary Symptoms
• Painful urination
• Urinary urgency
• Urinary incontinence (stress and urge)
• Recurrent urinary infections
• Urethral caruncle (red vascular growth on urethra)

How do you treat GSM?

Well initially one could try topical lubricants and moisturizers.
Topical lubricants and moisturizers can help improve symptoms of GSM by increasing hydration and lubrication of the vulvova**nal area. Lubricants and moisturizers are an important treatment option for those who may not be able to take estrogen to otherwise improve dryness and reduce pain.

But more severe cases may need Hormone therapy. What are the hormonal treatment options for va**nal atrophy (GSM)? These may include:

-Estrogen therapy and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) are more commonly used
-but other options can include testosterone and oxytocin therapy (BHRT- Bioidentical Hormone therapy) can also be very beneficial.

Treatment options can be taken by
• O-SHOT
• topical route (patches, creams and gels absorbed through the skin)
• va**nal route (cream, gels, tablets or ring, placed in the va**na)
• oral route (tablet, troches, swallowed or dissolved in the mouth)
And finally, always talking with your partner about your concerns can strengthen your relationship. Getting older and chronic health problems like heart disease or diabetes can affect your s*xual health and how you feel about s*x. Some possible topics to discuss include:
• What feels good and what doesn’t
• Times that you may feel more relaxed
• Which positions are more comfortable
• Whether you need more time to get aroused than before
• Concerns you have about the way your appearance may be changing
• Ways to enjoy physical connection other than va**nal in*******se, such as oral s*x

For More Information, Support or Treatment Contact
Re-EVOLVE MedSpa
Susan Corbett APRN, CNM, MSCP
Tele # 602-777-3525
Re-evolvemedspa.com

08/12/2024

The Hormones That Boost Happiness
Learn more about dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins. Updated January 4, 2024
KEY POINTS
• Even a small amount of a hormone can have profound effects on body functions.
• The so-called "happiness hormones"—dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins—
are essential for well-being.
• You may increase levels of these hormones with simple lifestyle changes.
by Zamfira Parincu and Tchiki Davis, M.A., Ph.D.
Before talking about happiness hormones, it is important to understand what hormones are and how they are produced.
The endocrine system works together with the nervous system to influence many aspects of human behavior. Hormones are chemicals produced by different glands in your body. They are chemical messengers and travel through the bloodstream to tissues or organs. Hormones work slowly and over time, impacting processes including:
• Growth and development
• Metabolism
• Reproduction
• S*xual function
• Mood
Hormones are powerful chemicals that can lead to big changes in our bodies, which means that even a small amount of a hormone can have profound effects on body functions, either in a positive or negative way.
When you do things that make you feel good, such as connecting with a friend or eating ice cream, your brain releases what scientists call “happy hormones.” These hormones got their nickname because of the positive feelings they produce.
These hormones include:
• Dopamine, which helps us feel pleasure and is involved in the brain’s reward system.
• Serotonin, which helps us boost our mood and regulate our sleep.
• Oxytocin, which is produced when we bond with others and is often called “the love
hormone.”
• Endorphins, which are nicknamed the brain’s natural pain reliever.
These feel-good hormones promote happiness, pleasure, and positive emotions. The cool thing about them is that you have a say in when they are released. Whether you have a good laugh with your friend or do some exercise, your brain is releasing these feel-good hormones.
How to Boost Happiness Hormones Dopamine
• Eat well. Dopamine is created from tyrosine, an amino acid. Tyrosine-rich foods may boost dopamine levels in your brain and even improve memory. Some foods high in tyrosine include meat, dairy, legumes, soy, and eggs.
• Sleep. Sleep deprivation has many serious side effects and can even impact dopamine receptors. Getting enough high-quality sleep keeps your dopamine levels balanced (Korshunov, 2017), which has the potential to increase positive feelings.
• Meditate. Studies show that mediation has positive effects on dopamine. Specifically, in a study with meditation teachers, dopamine levels increased by 64 percent after meditating for only one hour (Kjaer et al., 2002).
• Listen to music. Music is a great addition to alone time or social activities. Listening to music increases brain activity in areas that are rich in dopamine receptors (Koelsch, 2014). Also, the brain releases dopamine when the emotional state is at its highest level (Salimpoor et al., 2011). So go and listen to your favorite song
Serotonin
• Exercise. Serotonin levels significantly increase after doing any workout exercises, such as biking, dancing, or weightlifting. Research clearly shows the antidepressant and anxiolytic effects between mood and exercise (Young, 2007).

• Get some light. When you spend at least 15 minutes outside every day, your serotonin levels significantly increase (Sansone & Sansone, 2013).
• Eat well. Tryptophan, an amino acid, increases brain serotonin and can be an effective antidepressant for mild depression. One food containing more tryptophan than other proteins is milk, so consuming milk derivates, such as yogurt or kefir, may increase your serotonin levels (Young, 2007).
Oxytocin
• Show affection. As per its reputation as “the love hormone,” physical intimacy boosts this hormone. You can hug, cuddle, kiss, or hold hands to increase oxytocin production (Uvnas et al., 2015).
• Connect. Your oxytocin levels increase when you talk to your loved ones or even think about them. You can also give compliments to them or do small random acts of kindness, which can not only make their days better but can make yours better, too (Uvnas et al., 2015).
• Share. In wild chimpanzees, food-sharing increases oxytocin levels regardless of whether they were close before or not (Wittig et al., 2014). So why not cook with your friend? Cooking is a great way to bond over something delicious and a fun way to potentially increase oxytocin levels.
Endorphins
• Eat dark chocolate. If you’re a fan of dark chocolate, you should know that eating a piece can stimulate the release of endorphins (Nehlig, 2013).
• Laugh. Who doesn’t like a good laugh? Laughing is a good way to connect with others and destress. You can watch your favorite comedy show, go to a stand-up comedy jam, or call a friend to catch up. All these activities boost the body’s endorphins and also play a role in social bonding (Dunbar et al., 2012).
• Be active. Although moderate-intensity exercise is best for boosting endorphins, it’s not the only type of activity that has this potential. You can dance at home or go on a short hike, anything that keeps you active (Tarr et al., 2015).
The happiness hormones—dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins—are essential for your well-being. You may increase the levels of these hormones without any medication by making simple changes in your lifestyle, such as exercise, diet, and meditation. In the end, these things can make a big impact.

07/29/2024

BHRT PMDD

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) has been a hot topic in the media recently after 4,000 women shared their experiences of the condition with BBC Research. This revealed just how severely the condition can affect women and highlighted the horror of premature hysterectomy as a solution to the disabling symptoms experienced with PMDD. It is tragic that young women are misled into losing their ovaries and womb, when there are other far less invasive options, like bioidentical HRT (BHRT).

it’s essential that as a society we destigmatize the negative ideas around menstruation. Hormones are essential for all processes in the body and need to be balanced for optimum wellness. Our s*x hormones and neurotransmitters work together to create the harmony of a normal menstrual cycle and it’s important to understand what happens when that rhythm is disrupted.

PMDD has been dismissed in popular culture as “the time of the month” and we’ve heard time and time again from our patients that they don’t feel listened to or aren’t taken seriously by their GPs. Women have been dealing with the symptoms of PMDD for as long as they have been menstruating, yet it was only last year that the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized PMDD as a real condition. This is a significant step in the right direction. PMDD is now categorized as a depressive disorder with a recognized prevalence ranging from 3% to 5% among women who menstruate.

As PMDD is now globally recognized as a medical condition requiring treatment, we hope this means that physicians and workplaces will take it more seriously, and that women who experience symptoms will not only feel validated but be able to get a clear diagnosis and effective treatment that doesn’t take away their womanhood.

What Is Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)?
PMDD is a severe form of PMS (premenstrual syndrome) which can cause a myriad of emotional and physical symptoms each month during the week or two before your period starts. Most women will experience recurrent mild symptoms of PMS but with PMDD, the symptoms are intense and seriously impact on one’s ability to function. At the Marion Gluck Clinic, we’ve been treating women with PMDD for the last 25 years, and fully understand just how much of an impact this condition can have on quality of life. It’s not uncommon for women to feel suicidal.

Dr Ghazala Aziz-Scott, Doctor at the Marion Gluck Clinic, comments: “Unfortunately, many doctors have a limited understanding of PMDD and women remain embarrassed to acknowledge their symptoms. It can be misdiagnosed as anxiety, depression or a personality disorder and doctors can fail to spot the cyclical link, especially if symptoms start at ovulation and don’t stop until the end of the period.”

“In the last week, I have seen patients with bipolar disorder and generalized anxiety disorder consult me for help with probable PMDD. One of the problems is that PMDD can co-exist with a number of psychiatric conditions as these illnesses make women more vulnerable to the hormonal changes of the menstrual cycle.

Additionally, a number of psychiatric and physical disorders are exacerbated pre-menstrual such as IBS, migraines, depression and anxiety and this is known as menstrual magnification. If we manage the underlying condition, the premenstrual flare often diminishes. As symptoms are intermittent, many women don’t realize they are treatable. However, if we have insight into the cause of PMDD, we can then aim to find the right solution.” explains Dr Aziz-Scott.

Symptoms Of PMDD
Symptoms of PMDD are both cyclical and chronic, improving once the period starts. Hormonal life events such as pregnancy, childbirth, perimenopause, and postpartum depression can be triggered due to rapid hormonal fluctuations.

In order to be diagnosed with PMDD a patient must have at least 5 out of 11 specific symptoms that occur during the week before menstruation and improve within a few days after onset of the period, for at least 2 menstrual cycles. These symptoms include:

• Mood swings
• Irritability and anger
• Anxiety and feelings of tension
• Depression and a lack of interest in daily activities and relationships
• Fatigue
• Suicidal thoughts
• Physical symptoms such as breast tenderness, aching muscles and joints, bloating, headaches
• Feeling out of control
• Lack of concentration or trouble thinking
• Food cravings/binge eating.
• Insomnia or hypersomnia

Causes Of PMDD
The underlying cause of PMDD is complex and cannot be boiled down to a single individual factor. There are, however, five major areas that are thought to contribute to it:

1. Genetic susceptibility.
There is a genetic link to being sensitive to hormonal changes. The estrogen receptor alpha gene, which is important for emotional arousal, has a variation that can be found in PMDD.

2. Low levels of progesterone and its metabolite allopregnanolone (Allo).
S*x hormones and neurotransmitters linked to mood share common pathways in the brain. High levels of the s*x hormone progesterone in the second half of the menstrual cycle are reflected by high Allo levels, and Allo modulates GABA receptors in the brain. GABA is the brain’s off switch and primary regulator of mood. Allo therefore has sedative and anxiety-reducing properties similar to the action of alcohol and tranquillizer medications. PMDD sufferers appear to have a disturbance of GABA receptor function and GABA levels are also altered. SSRI medication is helpful in treating PMDD as it enhances sensitivity of GABA receptors and promotes formation of more Allo. Pregnancy, progesterone supplementation and high luteal peaks cause high Allo and so progesterone is often called the “Happy Hormone”.

3. Low estrogen and serotonin levels.
Estrogen affects multiple neurotransmitter systems which regulate mood, cognition, sleep, and eating. PMDD patients can have low estrogen levels in the luteal phase of their cycle, which decreases serotonin (another hormone that makes us feel happy) and PMDD sufferers are extra sensitive to estrogen and progesterone fluctuations.

4. Structural and functional differences in the brain.
Patients with PMDD typically have differences in a part of the brain called the amygdala, which has a key role in emotional regulation and behavior. It is also known as the “fear center” and PMDD sufferers have a heightened stress response. There are also changes in the prefrontal cortex which executes complex cognitive functions.

5. The hypothalamic pituitary axis.
The hypothalamic pituitary axis is a major information highway for communication between our hormones and is also our central stress response system. Prolonged stress or trauma such as PTSD or s*xual abuse changes this response, so we have less resilience to adapt to stress.

“I frequently see the links between adverse childhood events such as adoption, early loss of a parent, and various types of relational abuse (emotional, physical and s*xual) with presentations of PMDD in adult life.” says Dr Aziz-Scott.

PMDD Treatments & Hormone Balancing For PMDD
As the cause of PMDD is so complex, a comprehensive evaluation of the patient is essential by an experienced doctor with an understanding of both mental health and hormonal imbalance.

The goal is to evaluate each patient and uncover the root cause of the condition, the reasons for hormone imbalance such as estrogen dominance and HPA axis dysregulation. The impact on the patient’s life and pre-existing psychiatric conditions are both considered. We take a holistic approach and also look at lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise, life stressors, past events and gut health in order to formulate a treatment plan that supports the patient

C$PMDD Treatments & Hormone Balancing For PMDD
As the cause of PMDD is so complex, a comprehensive evaluation of the patient is essential by an experienced doctor with an understanding of both mental health and hormonal imbalance.

Our approach at the Marion Gluck Clinic is to thoroughly evaluate each patient and uncover the root cause of the condition, the reasons for hormone imbalance such as estrogen dominance and HPA axis dysregulation. The impact on the patient’s life and pre-existing psychiatric conditions are both taken into account. We take a holistic approach and also look at lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise, life stressors, past events and gut health in order to formulate a treatment plan that supports the patient.

Conventional treatments for PMDD include:

SSRI medication, which increases serotonin levels. This is an effective treatment for the mood swings of PMDD and can work within hours or days.

Combined oral contraceptive pill, which switches off ovulation and therefore decreases s*x hormone production. The downside is that the progesterone in the pill is synthetic, which can have side effects.
GnRH analogues, which inhibit the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) that orchestrate the whole menstrual cycle so that ovulation is totally absent, and this reduces hormonal fluctuation.

Hysterectomy, which is a radical treatment and has a brutal effect on the long-term physical and psychological wellbeing of young women.
Alternative treatments for PMDD:

High doses of bioidentical progesterone can relieve PMDD. Bioidentical progesterone is one of the mainstays of treatment at the Marion Gluck Clinic and can be used in conjunction with other treatments.

Magnesium Glycinate and Vitamin B6 calm the nervous system and so help stabilize mood.
Herbal remedies such as Agnus Castus or chasteberry have been known to relieve symptoms of mood swings, irritability, and mood swings.

07/22/2024

TESTOSTERONE HORMONE THERAPY

Hormones play a critical role in the body. While you might know about estrogen and progesterone, it’s important to also know about how testosterone affects us as women. Even though it’s known as the male hormone, our ovaries actually produce both estrogen and testosterone. In fact, testosterone does many important things in our bodies. Unfortunately, women can suffer from low testosterone just like with any other hormone and it can cause a lot of problems. In these cases, testosterone replacement therapy may prove beneficial for your health and symptoms. Keep reading to learn how testosterone therapy may help you feel your best.

Many women don’t even know that they have testosterone because it’s so closely associated with men. However, there are normal ranges for testosterone in women. Our bodies produce about one-tenth to one-twentieth of the amount of testosterone that the male body does. This means that the normal testosterone range for women is between 15 ng/dL and 70 ng/dL. If you have less than this in your body around perimenopause and post menopause, then we may recommend testosterone replacement therapy to boost levels into that healthy range.

Low testosterone in women can cause many symptoms and changes in the body. Testosterone is responsible for many things. Testosterone receptors can be found throughout our bodies, so low testosterone can really wreak havoc on our health. Some symptoms that testosterone replacement therapy may help in women include:
• Low s*x drive
• Vaginal dryness
• Low bone density
• Low muscle mass
• Increased fat mass
• Fatigue
• Mood changes like depression and anxiety

Testosterone May Increase S*x Drive
• Testosterone plays a really important role in s*x drive for both men and women. In fact, testosterone replacement therapy is commonly used to treat hypoactive s*xual desire disorder (HSDD), which is a type of s*xual dysfunction many women suffer from. HSDD is a condition where you have low or no libido, so you may not experience any s*xual thoughts or fantasies, feel disinterested in s*x, lose interest during s*x, have a hard time reaching or**sm, and may even try to avoid s*x altogether. Testosterone has been found to increase libido in women. Therefore, if you’re experiencing low s*x drive during menopause, then testosterone replacement therapy may be an option to improve your s*x life.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy Can Improve Vaginal Health
Another common symptom you might notice during menopause is va**nal dryness. This is where you have less natural lubrication. The tissues of the va**na may also begin to thin. This creates the perfect recipe for tearing and discomfort from s*x or even just from everyday activities like walking. Studies have found that testosterone can help improve va**nal lubrication so it’s less dry and prone to tearing.
Testosterone Hormone Replacement Therapy Can Improve Bone Health, Muscle Health, and Fat Distribution
Another reason you might consider testosterone for menopause treatment is that it can improve your bones, muscles, and fat distribution. Testosterone affects how strong and dense your bones are, how big and strong your muscles are, and can even affect where you store fat. Low testosterone in women is associated with weaker bones, loss of muscle mass, muscle weakness, and more visceral (belly) fat, which is associated with a lot of metabolic issues. Increasing your testosterone to normal ranges with testosterone replacement therapy can reduce these risks. You may feel stronger, look leaner, and enjoy lower risk for issues like osteoporosis and metabolic issues tied to belly fat.

Testosterone Can Improve Mood and Energy
Many women with low testosterone levels experience debilitating fatigue and mood changes like depression and anxiety. In fact, low testosterone is often mistaken as depression or high stress because of these symptoms. However, the good news is that increasing testosterone levels to normal ranges can help you feel more energetic and may boost your mood so you can enjoy your everyday activities.
Misconceptions About Testosterone Replacement Therapy for Women
Unfortunately, there are a lot of myths and misconceptions about testosterone therapy for women. All the misinformation out there has made a lot of people afraid of starting testosterone replacement therapy, even if their blood tests show they have deficient testosterone levels. Here are some of the myths and facts you should know about testosterone for women:

Myth: There’s No Research on Testosterone Replacement Therapy for Women
• Many people believe that no one has really studied testosterone replacement therapy for women. While it’s true that there’s less research into testosterone for women than for men, there is still a lot of really good scientific studies out there, with more being conducted as we speak. That’s how we know which symptoms TRT can relieve in women. Therefore, there is good quality research into testosterone for women, and we’ll only keep learning more as more researchers focus on this treatment option.
Myth: Testosterone Only Helps with Low Libido in Women
• Another common misconception is that testosterone replacement therapy is only helpful for women suffering from low s*x drive. While it’s true that testosterone has been shown to have a positive effect on low libido in women, the benefits don’t stop there. Many studies have found other improvements in symptoms like those we detailed above. Remember, there are testosterone receptors throughout the body and this hormone affects practically every tissue. There is a reason that our bodies produce it, and it’s not just for a healthy s*x life. It can help with many parts of our health and overall well-being.

Myth: Testosterone in Any Dose will Cause Masculinization
• Many women are afraid of starting hormone replacement therapy with testosterone because they’re scared of masculinization with things like facial hair, deepening voices, and other side effects. While it’s true that this can happen if you’re given really high doses of testosterone, low doses for women with low testosterone generally don’t cause these side effects. Keep in mind that our bodies actually convert a lot of testosterone to estrogen and that we need a certain amount of testosterone in the body. Our providers will work with you to find the right dose for you so you don’t need to worry about masculinizing side effects.

Re-EVOLVE MedSpa

09/05/2024

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