Sacramento endometriosis experts at Sacramento Functional Medicine offer compassionate endometriosis care to Placer County women with the latest functional medicine treatments including bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.

Endometriosis is a painful disorder in which tissue similar to what lines the uterus–the Endometrium–grows outside of the uterus. Commonly affected areas are the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and lining of the uterus. Like the Endometrium, this tissue outside of the uterus breaks down and bleeds during each menstrual cycle. However, without a way to exit the body, this tissue becomes trapped causing irritation to surrounding tissue, cysts, adhesions, and scar tissue. Recent studies have revealed that 1 in 10 women struggle with Endometriosis.

Although there is no cure for Endometriosis, there are methods to manage the symptoms and pain that accompanies them. Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) is a highly effective treatment that can alleviate the symptoms of Endometriosis and help reduce inflammation. Sacramento Functional Medicine maintains the most up-to-date knowledge on women’s health providing functional medicine approaches to women in Sacramento.

Sacramento functional medicine expert, Sacramento Functional Medicine can help with your battle with Endometriosis. Call (916) 252-3228 today to schedule your consultation!

Symptoms of Endometriosis

Endometriosis is often misdiagnosed as it shares symptoms with many other health conditions. However, it may be time to speak with Sacramento Functional Medicine if you are experiencing the following symptoms:

Due to the inflammatory nature of Endometriosis, it can place pressure on the colon and urinary tract causing excretion pathways to shrink. As a result, women can experience painful bowel movements, rectal bleeding, constipation, diarrhea, and urinary tract infections.

The presence of extra tissue growing outside of the uterus causes women’s reproductive organs to be less elastic. This causes pain during intercourse due to stretching and pulling of the tissue. Additionally, due to the hormonal imbalances, Endometriosis may lead to vaginal dryness–causing further discomfort during intercourse.

It’s well-documented that women suffering from Endometriosis often experience significantly more discomfort during their menstrual cycle. Women report substantial pelvic cramping–which can be caused by adhesions, cysts, and decreased organ mobility.

According to recent studies, the link between infertility and Endometriosis is present in up to 30% – 50% of women. Because Endometriosis alters the reproductive organ anatomy and function, it creates a hostile environment for the fertilization and gestation of any eggs. Between the inflammation, hormonal fluctuations, and immune system responses endometriosis can severely disrupt family plans.

Excess tissue on the pelvic organs can cause the uterus to shed more often and for longer periods of time. Several women experience a shortening of their cycle accompanied by longer, heavier periods. Additionally, women have reported pain and bleeding during their ovulation cycles.

When your hormones are imbalanced, you might be feeling fatigued–like a hollow shell going through the day-to-day motions. This lack of energy can be debilitating, leaving you feeling unable to do the things you love. Balancing your hormones can help you get back to your passions by relieving you of your fatigue and replenishing your liveliness and youthful zest.

The pain and discomfort of Endometriosis isn’t limited to the menstrual cycle. Women can experience lower back pain, abdominal pain, painful intercourse and bowel movements, sharp pain when cysts burst, excessive bloating, pinched nerves, and muscle and joint pain associated with Endometriosis at any time.

Due to fatigue and excessive bleeding during menstrual cycles, women can experience dizziness and nausea. Additionally, pain from the digestive difficulties associated with Endometriosis can cause nausea as well.

Endometriosis is painful and disheartening. It can entirely disrupt a woman’s life. Because of this, the correlation between Endometriosis and feelings of hopelessness, sadness, and stress are commonly present.

Diagnosing Endometriosis

To diagnose Endometriosis, doctors will perform the following tests:

  • Pelvic Exam
  • Abdominal and/or Transvaginal Ultrasound
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
  • Laparoscopy

Due to the nature of endometrial tissue growing outside of the uterus, a laparoscopy is the only test in which a definite Endometriosis diagnosis can be made. During a laparoscopy, a surgeon makes a small incision around the navel to view the inside of the abdomen with a laparoscope and confirm endometrial growths outside of the uterus.

Endometriosis and Hormones

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent condition. Estrogen influences the development and function of a woman’s reproductive organs. Research suggests that the endometrial tissue growing outside of the uterus produces excess estrogen–resulting in higher levels of estrogen within the body. Naturally, the body produces progesterone after ovulation to balance the body’s estrogen levels and prevent excess endometrial tissue growth. Women who suffer from Endometriosis typically have imbalanced estrogen and progesterone levels.

Treating Endometriosis with BHRT

Although BHRT cannot cure Endometriosis, it can grant relief through symptom and pain management. BHRT is a safe, natural method to supplement and balance the body’s hormone levels with little to no side effects. Unlike synthetic hormones produced with unnatural chemical components the body cannot recognize, Bioidentical Hormones are derived from natural sources like soy and yams. Because of this, bioidentical hormones are chemically identical to the hormones your body naturally produces.

Find Answers To Frequently Asked Questions About BHRT

Beginning a Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) protocol typically comes with several questions. We’ve gathered some of the most common questions related to starting BHRT and answered them here below. If you have any further questions or need any clarification, please contact Sacramento Functional Medicine at (916) 252-3228.

How Is BHRT Different From Regular HRT?

The main difference between bioidentical HRT and other forms of HRT is the kind of hormones that are used. In regular HRT, the synthetic hormones used contain additional chemical components that allow the drug manufacturers to patent their chemicals. At best, these added components do nothing for you. At worst, your body may recognize them as foreign chemicals and they may cause unpleasant side effects.

In BHRT, the hormones used are bioidentical, which means that they are the exact chemical structure as the hormones naturally produced in your body. This means there is no risk of your body not accepting them. Plus, they are derived from natural plant sources such as yams and soy.

Can I Buy Bioidentical Hormones Online?

While you may find websites claiming to sell bioidentical hormones, there are many risks involved in purchasing hormones online. First, it is often difficult to trace the origin of these products, meaning they may not be regulated for accuracy. This leads into the second problem, which is that it is very hard to be sure of the ingredients of these products. You may not be getting hormones at all!

Even if you find legitimate bioidentical hormones online, without seeing a doctor you can’t know for certain which hormones you need, what dose you need them in and what form of BHRT will work best for you. Here at Sacramento Functional Medicine, you will receive proper care and treatment while experiencing minimal side effects.

What Form Does BHRT Come In?

Bioidentical hormones are prepared by a compounding pharmacy where they are produced into several forms including: pills, patches, subdermal pellets, creams, injections and more. Everyone responds to these various forms differently, and your BHRT doctor can help find the form that will most benefit you and your body.

What Is The Cost Of BHRT?

The cost of BHRT varies by the hormones needed, the doses needed, the form of BHRT, and the length of time that you receive treatment. For a more accurate quote, please call Sacramento Functional Medicine at (916) 252-3228 to schedule a consultation.

Is BHRT Covered By My Insurance?

Because insurance plans and providers vary considerably, there is no way for us to provide a blanket statement. Your plan may cover BHRT under certain circumstances. The best course of action is to call Sacramento Functional Medicine at (916) 252-3228 to discuss whether we accept your current insurance plan and provider. After you call us, we recommend contacting your insurance provider as a follow-up to ensure that your treatment is covered or to discuss how your treatment may be covered.

Are Bioidentical Hormones Safe?

When prescribed and supervised by a BHRT doctor, BHRT is generally safe. Any risks or side effects associated with your particular treatment will be reviewed thoroughly before you begin BHRT.

What Conditions Are Treated With BHRT?

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy is used to treat a number of conditions caused by hormone imbalance or that result in hormone imbalance. In some cases, BHRT is used to treat the underlying condition while in others it is used to treat the symptoms. You can find some common conditions that BHRT may be used to treat listed above.

What If My Question Is Not Listed Here?

Patients often have a great many questions before beginning BHRT. We will be happy to answer any questions that you may have before, during and after treatment. Contact Sacramento Functional Medicine today with any further questions or to schedule your initial consultation.

Start Feeling Better With A Customized BHRT Plan Today!

Sacramento Endometriosis Treatment

Reclaim Your Life & Take Control of Endometriosis

Endometriosis experts at Sacramento Functional Medicine offer compassionate care to women struggling with endometriosis in Sacramento. Call (916) 252-3228 to schedule your BHRT consultation today!