6 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Hormone Therapy Physician

People often spend hours researching their symptoms to find out what’s wrong with their health.

But they’re quicker to the punch when it comes to finding a physician to treat those symptoms.

Knowing who to seek help from is just as important as knowing why you need treatment in the first place.

So, if you’re ready to start your hormone replacement therapy plan, here are a few questions you should ask to before choosing a physician.

1. What are your qualifications?

Like dentists and general practitioners, you have options when it comes to deciding where you go (or who you go to) for hormone replacement therapy.

To narrow down that list, invest time and energy in learning more about the skills and training of each doctor.

  • Does he specialize in hormone replacement therapy?
  • How long has she been practicing hormone replacement therapy?
  • What degrees or certifications do they have?
  • Are the physicians licensed and board-certified? If so, are they the ones who will be treating you?
  • You can ask these questions directly or find the answer on the clinic’s website.

    2. Do you keep up-to-date with the latest medical advancements?

    Hormone replacement therapy is a steadily evolving science. Your doctor should stay up-to-date on news, alternatives and recent research studies so that she can provide you with the right treatment.

    You can find out by asking if he attends conferences, seminars or pursues further education in her field.

    3. Do I need hormone replacement therapy? If so, why?

    You may not need hormone replacement therapy, and that’s okay. But what’s not okay is if your physician or clinic can’t explain the specific details of why you qualify or don’t qualify for it.

    Your doctor should take the time to get to know your medical history, eating habits and lifestyle.

    If the physician or clinic seems to give everyone a stamp of approval, you may need to get a second opinion.

    4. How will you find the right dose of hormones for me?

    There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to hormone therapy.

    A knowledgeable physician will show you the steps they take to decide what dose is right for your body. And this goes back to the question above—that dosage will depend on your overall health and medical history.

    If the doctor skips the getting-to-know-you session and goes straight to lab work and trials, you may not be getting a custom therapy plan.

    5. What do you expect from me as your patient?

    As you may have noticed, we can’t stress enough that hormone therapy is most effective when you evaluate your life as a whole.

    A good physician will give you suggestions on how much you should exercise, what you should eat, and any other factors that may be contributing to your low testosterone or estrogen levels.

    They should expect you to take an active role in this therapy, so, be ready.

    6. What type of hormones do you use in your practice?

    The right answer to this question is simple—bio-identical hormones.

    You can learn more about bio-identical hormones here, but, in short, they’re hormones that are identical to the ones naturally existing in your body, which means your body recognizes and uses them just as it would your real hormones.

    Synthetics hormones offer only partial, temporary fixes to your problem. And you experience more side effects with the potential for serious health issues.

    It’s also important to consider how well you connect with a physician. If a doctor hits all the right marks, but you don’t feel comfortable being honest and open about your health, then he might not be right for you.

    Many reputable clinics, like our own, offer a free initial consultation, so you have an opportunity to ask these questions. If you’re ready to learn more, you can contact us here.

    6 At-Home Exercises for Menopause Relief

    Did you know women, on average, gain ten pounds during menopause?

    Because mood swings, fatigue and hot flashes aren’t enough to worry about, right?

    When your estrogen levels dip, you experience an accumulation of belly fat, bone loss and muscle atrophy. And, if you lead a sedentary lifestyle, you’re at more risk for weight gain than women who are active.

    The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says adults need at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and two or more days of strength training each week.

    That may sound overwhelming, but in the same amount of time it takes for you to watch two romantic comedies, you can relieve stress, enhance your quality of life, and stave off weight gain and bone and muscle loss.

    While any general activity is helpful, here are 6 exercises you can do at home that will build strength and burn fat at the same time.

    Before you begin: First, you should always seek your doctor’s advice before starting an exercise routine or diet. Second, warming up loosens the body, prepares the mind for action and prevents injury. So, before you start exercising, spend five to ten minutes stretching your muscles and getting your heart pumping. You can do this by moving your arms in circles, jump roping or running in place. Or, you can relieve some stress and stretch out by having a short yoga session, like the one in this video here.

    1. Alternating Dumbbell Lunges

    Hold dumbbells in each hand at your sides, and stand with your feet about hip-width apart. Take one long stride forward with your right leg. Inhale while lowering your rear left knee to the floor.

    Return to starting position by straightening your rear leg, and then exhale as you push up from the heel of your front foot. Repeat with the left leg.

    Suggestion: Perform 10-15 reps, three times, with a break in between sets.

    2. Squat to Overhead Press

    Hold the dumbbells in each hand at your shoulders with your elbows bent. Stand with your feet hip-width apart.

    Sit back and down (as if you’re sitting in an imaginary chair), then bend your knees and lower your thighs until they reach parallel with the floor. Press your weight back into your heels.

    As you stand, press the dumbbells overhead until your arms are straight. Return to start and repeat.

    Suggestion: Perform 10-15 reps, three times, with a break in between sets.

    3. Triceps Dips

    Sit on a secure bench. Place one hand on each side of your hip and grip the edge.

    Use your arms to push your butt up and off the bench. Walk your legs out until your knees are no longer bent and your butt is in front of the bench. This is your starting position.

    Slowly lower your body by bending the elbows and stop once your arms are parallel to the floor. Push yourself back up to the starting position.

    Suggestion: Perform 10-15 reps, three times, with a break in between sets.

    4. Step Up with Dumbbells

    Stand in front of a secure box or bench. With a dumbbell in each hand, place your right foot onto the bench and push up through your heel to lift your whole body up. Step down with your left foot and repeat on the opposite side.

    Suggestion: Perform 10-15 reps, three times, with a break in between sets.

    5. Plank

    Get into a push up position, but rest your forearms on the ground instead of your hands. Keep your back straight and tighten your abs and glutes. Hold the position without letting your hips sag.

    Suggestion: Hold for 30 seconds, three times, with a break in between sets.

    6. Farmer’s Walk

    With a dumbbell in each hand, stand up tall with your shoulders back. Walk forward as quickly as you can with short steps. You can do this around your neighborhood as an alternative to brisk walking.

    Suggestion: Walk for as long as you can, but aim for 15-30 minutes.

    Alleviating the symptoms of menopause requires treating the whole body—not just the hormones. That’s why having a regular exercise routine is important. The exercises above are just a few ways you can accomplish this.

    And, if you’re interested in learning more about combining hormone therapy with an exercise routine, give us a call.

    3 Benefits of a Hormone Therapy Plan Designed for You

    So, you’re experiencing perimenopause, menopause or andropause. Now what? You know this is simply par for the course. The effects of aging include mood swings, low libido, night sweats, daily fatigue and weight fluctuations.

    But, the question is, where do you go from here? How do you ensure you don’t lose quality of life as your body begins to undergo those changes?

    In this article, I’m going to answer those questions and more. If you are willing to invest in a customized hormone therapy plan and consult with an experienced, board-certified physician, you’ll have the chance to feel energized, happy and hopeful again.

    1. A custom plan is a life-long solution.

    Like any medical treatment, there isn’t a “one-size fits all” solution. But many testosterone and other hormone clinics use that approach.

    Your symptoms, lab work and lifestyle aren’t the same as those of an Ultimate Fighting Championship contender. And taking “standard” doses of testosterone on its own, without a clear understanding of your medical history, weight, height, blood work and level of activity can wreak havoc on your body.

    Many men and women give up on hormone therapies because of the highs and lows that come with synthetic treatments.

    But, if your therapy plan is designed to work with your unique physiology and is evaluated often, your natural (bioidentical) hormones will be restored, with minimal side effects.

    2. A custom plan treats the whole body, not just the chemical.

    Hormone therapy is just one piece of the aging puzzle. To reap the full benefits, you also need to invest in yourself through diet and exercise.

    Custom plans address these issues. Your doctor discusses what other changes in your life can help boost your testosterone or estrogen. Do you need to significantly reduce your sugar intake? Lose 10 pounds or 100? Is your vitamin D too low or your blood pressure too high?

    Aging affects your whole body, not just your hormones, and these factors should be considered to ensure your quality of life is at optimum level – in all areas.

    3. A custom plan uses hormones that return your body’s natural functions.

    As mentioned above, many hormone clinics use synthetic hormones. The molecular structure of those hormones is different from what naturally occurs in humans, and the dosages are a predetermined few. Those hormones are manufactured and imitate estrogen and testosterone, which can lead to undesirable side effects.

    Bio-identical hormones are chemically identical to those your own body has made during your lifetime and function the same way. One of the best ways to administer these hormones is in tiny pellets placed under the skin. As blood flows around the pellets, the correct amount of hormone is released, so your body gets what it needs, at the time it needs it.

    When properly administered, these pellets give you sustained, steady relief. The dosages can be customized and safely changed as your body and lifestyle change.

    Don’t let aging stop you from enjoying life. Hormone therapy can help manage the problematic effects of perimenopause, menopause and andropause, not just temporarily, but for the long haul. To learn more about creating a custom hormone therapy plan, you can schedule a free 15-minute consultation with us here.