Trt Atlanta

If you are a woman and are suffering from any of the following: Weight Gain, Fatigue, Depression, Problems Concentrating, Lack of Motivation, Decreased Sex Drive or Decreased Energy – YOU MAY BE SUFFERING FROM HORMONE DEFICIENCY!

ShapeMed is pleased to offer comprehensive Biodentical Hormone Replacement Therapy for women.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are hormones and why do I need them?
Hormones are an essential part of the metabolic process of living. Hormones are important for the cells and metabolism. Our hormones decline through aging, menopause, disease or trauma. When this happens, we begin an accelerated aging process. Loss of hormones is one of the major reasons for our deterioration, as we get older, both physically and mentally. Hormones are beneficial at any age, but the best long term protective benefits are achieved if hormones are replaced when you begin to lose them, usually in our 40's.

What are the typical hormones that are prescribed?
Synthetic estrogen (i.e. Premarin) and progestins (i.e. Provera) are produced in a laboratory. They are chemically altered so that the pharmaceutical companies can patent them. They are not identical to human hormones. They are designed to try to elicit the same responses in your body as your natural hormones. Because synthetic hormones are not identical to human hormones, they might adversely stimulate the cells and lead to side effects or cancer. Premarin is an estrogen obtained from pregnant horses and is not human identical. Provera is progestin. Both have been implicated in causing problems in some women, including breast cancer.

How are bio-identical estrogen and progesterone produced?
Hormones that are identical to human hormones are found in yams and soy. We call these 'natural' because they are natural to the body. The hormones are extracted from these vegetables and then processed by a specialty compounding pharmacy into a prescription dose and form. The body accepts and metabolizes these hormones as if it made them.

What are the problems with synthetic hormones?
When first developed, synthetic hormones were well received because they provided some of the benefits of hormone replacement: controlling the symptoms of menopause and fighting osteoporosis and heart disease. However, the long-term results have shown that synthetic hormones sometimes elicit a negative metabolic response. Some women cannot tolerate synthetic hormones- often suffering with side effects such as bloating, bleeding or mood swings. In some patients, synthetic estrogens and progestins contributed to the development of breast and uterine cancer. Synthetics hormones are not a perfect match in the body. Synthetic hormones produce abnormal metabolites that can cause side effects and increase the risk of cancer. A natural hormone is a perfect fit in the body- it is a biologically identical hormone replacement.

Why doesn't my Gynecologist prescribe bio-identical hormones? Natural supplements such as vitamins and hormones are protected by federal regulations and may not be patented. Major pharmaceutical manufacturers are interested only in patentable drugs that are exclusive and profitable. A lot of what physicians learn is from the drug companies who are promoting their products. Therefore, your doctors are primarily taught only about synthetic products. Bio-identical hormones do not come under specific brand names. Your physician must be self-educated and experienced in prescribing and monitoring natural hormones. They probably just do not know a lot about them or must prescribe within the constraints of your health insurance.

What is the truth about the recent publicity about the risks of taking hormones?
The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) is a study that focused on synthetic estrogen (Premarin) and progestin (Provera). Note: Progestin is not progesterone. There were different "arms" of the study using different drug combinations. The arm of the study using Premarin and Provera (PremPro) was discontinued before completion because an increased risk of breast cancer was detected in the early stages of the study. This risk is attributed to the Provera portion of the regimen. This is not the first time progestins have been implicated in increasing risks for women. The arm of the study using Premarin did not show an increased risk of breast cancer, but was discontinued because of an increased incidence of strokes in older women. A recent study showed that natural estrogen did not have the same effects. Unfortunately, the media has misrepresented the facts of this study by targeting all hormone therapy. THIS IS WRONG! Again, the culprits are synthetic progestin, Provera, and horse estrogen (Equilinin) not natural estrogen or natural progesterone. There are numerous studies showing the long-term benefits of hormone therapy. You just need to make sure you are receiving the right hormones (bio-identical) in the right balance. It is also important to begin hormone replacement as soon as you begin to lose the hormones to avoid any length of time without their protective benefits. To Bleed or Not to Bleed. Celebrity Suzanne Somers has taken menopause by storm in her new book. Over 50, menopausal women find hope in the message of sexy aging. Ms. Somers spotlights the term "bio-identical hormones" and makes it hot on the lips of every woman (and man) coming to grips with the aging process. Now we can expand the term "natural" with "bio identical", giving everyone a new appreciation for hormone replacement. A major issue in the book has made women apprehensive. Some are even scared enough to avoid HRT. Ms. Somers claims that cycling (creating a period every month) is recommended and natural. She implies that we menstruate while we are "young" and it is advantageous and natural to continue to menstruate forever if you take hormones.

What is cycling?
It is the fall of women's hormones that results in menstruation. Therefore, if a woman stops the progesterone for a few days every month she will cycle and bleed. This is possible even if you have been years without a period, unless of course, you have had a hysterectomy. Menopausal women do not need to menstruate taking hormones does not necessitate cycling. First of all: Hormone replacement therapy does not put one in a state of pregnancy. During pregnancy, the levels of estrogen might be in the thousands. On estrogen replacement, ideal estradiol levels are typically 50-100mg/dl. Secondly: The reason a woman menstruates is to clean the uterus in preparation for the eventual implantation of a fertilized egg. If one is not interested in becoming pregnant, there is no physiologic reason or benefit to menstruate. A recent article in the Obstetrics/Gynecological literature claimed that unexpected vaginal bleeding was the most common reason women stopped taking HRT. The cessation of periods was one thing women welcomed with menopause. The medical literature often addresses how to stop and prevent postmenopausal vaginal bleeding so that women will be comfortable in continuing HRT. With the appropriate balancing of estrogen and progesterone women should not bleed and will be more satisfied with continuous use of HRT. For years, women have been treated with birth control pills taken continuously and not cycled to control PMS. It is the fall of women's hormones that takes place right before their periods that causes the symptoms of PMS. By taking birth control pills continuously, a woman can avoid this drop of hormones and the symptoms of PMS. The pharmaceutical industry has now caught onto this and promotes a new birth control pill that is cycled for bleeding every four months instead of monthly. The researchers claim that while no menstruation is necessary, the cycling allows women to menstruate every four months to make them fell more "normal". We now realize that even pre-menopausal women do not need to menstruate, let alone post-menopausal women.

At Shape Medical Wellness Center, we believe hormone related changes do not have to be permanent or life altering. We want you to age gracefully with confidence and strength. Physician supervised bioidentical hormone replacement can allow you to reclaim and your life and experience the power of an OPTIMAL YOU! Call our offices now for a free consultation (404-303-2323). "Discrete, Affordable, and Professional" – That's our pledge, that's our commitment to you.