Sacramento perimenopause experts at Sacramento Functional Medicine treat female hormone imbalances caused by hormone decline using functional medicine including bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.

The gradual decline in hormone production is often the source of the uncomfortable signs of perimenopause, which can persist for years before a woman officially enters menopause. While conventional treatments may provide temporary symptom relief through medications such as anti-inflammatories and antidepressants, they are unable to address the underlying cause, declining or imbalanced hormones. Perimenopause experts at Sacramento Functional Medicine offer Sacramento women an answer to the root cause; not only delivering relief from the symptoms, but also giving patients a chance at a sustainable and healthy balance, stabilizing their hormones, and bringing them back to natural vitality. Sacramento functional medicine experts at Sacramento Functional Medicine offer compassionate, educated medical care focused on naturally restoring hormone balance offering a more sustainable solution to long-term wellbeing, enabling Placer County women to reclaim their vitality and live life to its fullest potential.

Sacramento perimenopause experts at Sacramento Functional Medicine offer bioidentical hormone therapy to help women eliminate the symptoms of perimenopause and age-related hormone decline. Call (916) 252-3228 today!

Symptoms of Perimenopause

Sacramento Functional Medicine uses advanced hormone testing, bioidentical hormone therapy and functional medicine treatments to help Placer County women naturally replenish deficient hormones and gain relief from symptoms associated with perimenopause or menopause. Perimenopause is known to cause numerous symptoms that are different for each women experiencing them. Common symptoms include:

If you’ve noticed more feelings of instability, irritability and uncontrollable surges of emotion, then you may be experiencing the common, yet often neglected, mood swings that are caused by dropping hormone levels.

Irregular periods can be concerning whether you spot for hours or gush for days. Cycles may also vary, and women may get periods sporadically, every few weeks, or every few months. Women going through perimenopause eventually stop their periods altogether when they enter menopause, but if you’re not there yet, having relief and a cycle you can trust can be important.

Hot flashes aren’t just for fully menopausal women. Dropping estrogen and progesterone levels can leave perimenopausal women suddenly needing to stand in front of the freezer because your body is radiating with the heat of a thousand burning suns. If you’ve experienced the quick and unexpected onslaught of symptoms such as sweat, blotchy skin, rapid heartbeats, and anxiety then you know how mortifying an unanticipated hot flash can be.

The fluctuating hormonal levels of Perimenopause can cause extreme distress to a sleep cycle; often causing insomnia or fatigue from unrestful sleep. Other symptoms such as stress incontinence and hot flashes may also lead to frequently and urgently waking up at inconvenient times–adding to the frustration. If you are stressed about sleep, it may be time to call Sacramento Functional Medicine at (916) 252-3228.

We never think it’s going to happen to us… then it does. Our drive for intimacy fades, we experience vaginal dryness, and it stresses our relationships with our partners. Studies suggest that around 50% of women struggle with maintaining their libido due to dropping estrogen and testosterone levels.

Decreasing hormone levels are often responsible for causing a loss of bone density in perimenopausal women. Along with improvements in diet and exercise habits, undergoing Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy can help to keep your bone density strong. This is important to prevent osteoporosis, a disorder that makes you much more likely to break bones in a fall. Stabilizing these hormones is a great step towards supporting your skeletal structure.

The reduction of estrogen comes with a hefty health toll in the form of cholesterol regulation. Due to its effects on the metabolism, lower estrogen levels can cause LDL (bad cholesterol) to spike while HDL (good cholesterol) wanes. This causes plaque buildup in our arteries, tampering with blood flow and leading to increased risk of heart disease or blood clotting.

Estrogen helps maintain the integrity of the muscles and organs in your pelvic area, keeping them strong and healthy. As estrogen levels decrease, those supporting structures weaken, forcing your bladder and urethra to do more work on their own and causing them to become lax and tired. This is why many women experience urinary stress during their perimenopausal years.

Stress can cause an increase in Cortisol levels, which can throw off sex hormone production, increase belly fat, prevent or interrupt sleep, increase blood pressure, and all of this can severely impact mood, motivation, energy, stamina and stress resilience.

What is Perimenopause

Every woman is born carrying eggs, and these will last her entire period of fertility, released monthly until her stores are depleted. When her eggs are gone, her body will begin to discontinue its monthly cycle and she will be considered menopausal.

Perimenopause is the time during which her body is beginning its hormonal decline, preparing itself for the last stretch of egg releases. This transition period can last from a few months to a few years, the average length being around a four-year timespan.

During this period a woman is still fertile, however, as her body recognizes the release of fewer eggs each month, her body creates less female sex hormones (progesterone and estrogen), which results in a skewed level of testosterone. This disharmony can lead to many frustrating symptoms and potential health risks.

Health Risks of Perimenopause

As female hormones begin to decline in the years leading up to menopause, new concerns begin to rise. Women in perimenopause see a spike in stress, irregular sleeping patterns, and cholesterol levels. Combined with decreasing bone density and onslaught of urinary difficulties, the results can be a range of hazardous health issues such as:

  • heart diseases
  • osteoporosis
  • stroke
  • weight gain
  • fatigue
  • depression
  • anxiety
  • urinary tract infections

While it is important to address the uncomfortable symptoms of perimenopause, curing the root cause by rebalancing your hormones can help alleviate your discomfort and sets you up for avoiding more severe diseases.

Perimenopause Risk Factors

Simply put, every woman will eventually become infertile and will reach a perimenopausal state. Some may transition to menopause quickly; others may take longer. Ultimately, genetics (or a family history of early or late perimenopause), diet, lifestyle, and previous health conditions will all have an impact on when this phase may start.

Smoking, eating and exercising poorly, undergoing cancer treatment, or have had a hysterectomy may all affect the timing of a woman’s perimenopausal state.

Am I Perimenopausal?

Many women begin to track perimenopausal symptoms in their 40s, however every woman is different: some may even notice symptoms in their early thirties or won’t begin the process until their fifties! If you feel like you are exhibiting symptoms of perimenopause, it is important to see your doctor and have them run a range of tests.

Perimenopause and Menopause are often considered synonymous; however, they are two different stages in the same life transition.

Perimenopause is a transitional period in which the female body produces less estrogen and progesterone, gearing up for its final child-bearing years.

Menopause is the time in a woman’s life when her body has ceased the production of hormones that cause her menstruation. It is marked by her first 12-month period without a menstrual cycle.

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, 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 Perimenopause Care

Reclaim Your Balance: Natural Solutions for Perimenopause and Beyond

Feel your best during perimenopause and menopause with the help of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Call Sacramento Functional Medicine today at (916) 252-3228 to arrange your appointment and discover a new lease on life.