Menopause

Everyone wants to remain youthful, energetic and full of life as we age. We have all heard stories or maybe even experienced hot flashes, depression, headaches, migraines, mood swings and weight gain associated with a change in hormone levels in the body. Menopause does not have to stop you from leading a happy and active life. Now is the time to take control of your hormones and feel energized again! Dr. Lynn Flowers is here to help.

Man-made treatments of the past came with many unintended risks

Prior to the Women’s Health Initiative study which exposed the risks of traditional hormone replacement therapy (HRT), most women were placed on HRT for treatment. Some common synthetic (manmade) hormones include Provera, Premarin, Prempro, and Micronor.  Unfortunately, these common therapies can increase the risk for (of) heart disease, cancer and stroke. A safer, more effective treatment was needed. These are the hormones currently used by endocrinologists.

A smarter therapy alternative

Bioidentical hormones (used by Dr. Flowers) are produced from plants and are the molecular equivalent to the hormones your body produces, thus reducing the risk of side effects.

Another benefit of BHRT is the ability to closely monitor hormone levels to give the smallest necessary dose to patients.

BHRT is effective at decreasing symptoms of:

• Insomnia
• Vaginal dryness
• Hot flashes
• Mood swings
• Headaches
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Weight gain
• Memory loss
• Skin appearance
• Low sex drive

BHRT can help women enjoy an improved sex drive, memory, and improve the appearance of the skin. Atlanta based Flowers Medical Group can help!

Keep osteoporosis away

The onset of osteoporosis, which is the loss of bone mass, can be prevented by using BHRT. Bones become brittle and break easily due to the lack of estrogen after menopause. In the 5 to 7 years past menopause, women can lose up to 20 percent of their bone mass. The most common fractures are in the hip, spine and wrist. These women are then at a higher risk of becoming disabled, or having strokes or blood clots after breaking bones. BHRT greatly reduces these osteoporosis-related risks.

What are the side effects of BHRT?

As with any treatment, there can be side effects. However, the side effects with BHRT are typically milder than those associated with (man-made) synthetic hormones. Side effects can be alleviated by adjusting the dose periodically. Pharmacies that specialize in bioidentical hormones (“compounding pharmacies”) are used to match your prescription for bioidentical hormones closely to the ones your ovaries produce. They can be made into patches, creams, lotions, pills or vaginal rings adjusted to suit each woman’s need.

Flowers Medical Group in Atlanta will closely monitor your levels to assist you in this process.

What about diet and exercise?

Dietary and lifestyle adjustments that can decrease symptoms of menopause and improve your energy level as you age will also be discussed as part of a comprehensive program. These will likely include many of the best practices you have heard all of your life: eating a well- balanced diet, exercise suggestions and adding vitamins and minerals into your daily routine. Dr. Lynn Flowers MD will develop a plan to meet your unique needs.

I’d like more info, what should I do?

We look forward to helping you achieve your goals and improve your quality of life at every age. Click our link at The Center for Anti Aging and Metabolic Medicine or Contact us today to schedule your evaluation!