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What are the Indications for Starting Hormone Replacement Therapy in a Menopausal Woman?

You have finally reached menopause. Your first thought is “Yeah! No more periods!”, and then the symptoms of menopause hit. You begin experiencing one or more of the following: Hot flashes Night sweats Trouble sleeping Anxiety Lack of sex drive Lack of energy Vaginal dryness Foggy thinking Mood swings Weight gain These symptoms, along with lab work showing that your hormone levels are low, indicate that you are a candidate for starting Hormone Replacement Therapy. Menopause does not have to be a miserable time in your life. You could get back the vitality that you had in your 20s and 30s with Hormone Replacement Therapy. At Hormones by Design, we recommend and utilize Bio-identical Hormone Replacement (BHRT). BHRT uses hormones that are the exact same molecular structure as the hormones that your own body produced when you were younger. Most of our patients opt for our unique monthly hormone injections. This allows for a customized dose to address lab values and symptoms that the patient is experiencing. Hormones by Design treats women experiencing the symptoms of menopause and even perimenopause (that comes before menopausal age). We have locations in San Antonio, Boerne, and Waco, Texas. Visit our website at www.hormonesbydesign.com.

Dr. Melissa Miskell January 24, 2021

What kind of doctor prescribes Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Many people ask, “What kind of doctor prescribes Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)?” The answer is somewhat general in that almost any kind of doctor can prescribe HRT. There are Gynecologists, Urologists, Internists, and even Family Practice doctors that prescribe HRT. However, that is not the most important thing that a patient should consider when choosing a doctor for HRT. The most important thing is that the doctor specializes in HRT and has built their practice around it. In other words, you want a doctor that does HRT all day, every day. You want your doctor to have plenty of experience with HRT. Some doctors have HRT “added” to their practice in the form of pellet therapy. Pellet therapy is not a fit for all patients. The second most important thing is that the doctor uses Bioidentical hormones in their replacement therapy. Most doctors are trained to use synthetic hormones like Premarin that is made from pregnant horse (mare) urine. You want to make sure that your doctor is using hormones that are the same molecular structure as the hormones your body made when you were younger (Bioidentical). Hormones by Design treats women and men with bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. We

Dr. Melissa Miskell January 24, 2021

What is Telemedicine?

For those that are needing more information about Telemedicine, we have put together a Q&A to answer common questions. If there is a question you still have that is not listed here, please do not hesitate to give us a call! What is Telemedicine? Telemedicine is like a Skype or Face Time call. It is a two-way, face-to-face video conference. Why are you not just using Skype or Face Time then? Skype and Face Time are not HIPAA compliant/secure. Our program that we use is Do I have to download something? Nope. The link that we send to you automatically connects you to the secure video conference. Do I have to do it on my phone? Nope. You can do it on your computer but your computer MUST HAVE speakers and a video camera. So how does this work then? Suzi will send you a text if you want to use your phone, or an email if you want to use your computer. You click on the link in the text or email and that connects you to the call. You will see Suzi on the screen. Can I not just wait a few months to go over my results? We recommend that you continue

Dr. Melissa Miskell April 7, 2020

PMS: Taming the Monster

We have all heard of it and many of us suffer from it…PMS or Pre-Menstrual Syndrome. Symptoms such as bloating, hunger, headaches, and moodiness can begin anywhere from 5 to 11 days before menstruation. Most women (about 90%) get some sort of PMS symptoms each month and this is especially true for women in their 30s. What are the symptoms of PMS? Physical symptoms of PMS can include: Swollen or tender breasts Bloating or a gassy feeling Cramping Headache or backache Constipation or diarrhea Emotional symptoms of PMS can include: Mood swings Irritability Increased appetite or food cravings Feeling tired Sleeping too much or too little Trouble with concentration or memory Tension or anxiety Depression, feelings of sadness, or crying spells Less interest in sex How/why does PMS occur? After ovulation, progesterone and estrogen increase to prepare the uterus for pregnancy. If pregnancy does not occur, these levels begin to decline quickly. It is the decrease in progesterone that triggers symptoms such as the increased craving for chocolate and the mood swings. How do I test for PMS? A qualified bio-identical hormone replacement center can do a simple blood draw to test your hormone levels (preferably on days 19-21 of your cycle).

Dr. Melissa Miskell October 10, 2018

Non-Hormonal Help for Hot Flashes and Night Sweats

Time flies the older we get. It feels like one day we are chasing toddlers and the next we are nearing menopause. Two common symptoms that usher in this phase of life are hot flashes and night sweats. For most women, establishing care with a qualified bio-identical hormone center makes these symptoms more manageable. However, there are patients that cannot take bio-identical hormones (or simply do not want to). What can those patients do? Here are some natural options for alleviating the frequency and severity of hot flashes and night sweats. Exercise – Many scientific researchers have proven that exercise stimulates the release of feel-good hormones called endorphins. Brisk walking, jogging, and swimming are good aerobic activities that can help release tension in the body and mind. Relax and Mediate – Practice deep abdominal breathing. Sit in a quiet spot to inhale and exhale slowly for just 15 minutes. Controlled breathing (characterized by slow and deep breaths) can calm and relax the body. Waking up in the middle of the night because of night sweats? Using this technique may help calm you. Keep a Diary – Keep track of the time of episodes, the stress level or emotional state when it

Dr. Melissa Miskell September 30, 2018

4 Common Activities that Trigger Hot Flashes

4 Common Activities that Trigger Hot Flashes Yep, you know you are having a hot flash when you feel like you are going to spontaneously combust. Nothing sounds better than standing in front of the open freezer door (and even then, that is not cool enough). Well, there are some things in life that promote hot flashes. If at all possible, you should try to minimize doing these things… Drinking alcohol—I know, that glass of wine at the end of the day is one of the ways you relax. I understand! However, alcohol can trigger a histamine response in many women (you can see this when your cheeks start to get flushed after drinking). This histamine response can also trigger a hot flash. Try to limit your alcohol consumption and take a supplement like Xymogen’s Hist DAO before drinking. (More on Xymogen below) Eating spicy foods—Mexican, Thai, or Chinese…all these foods tend to be spicy. Consumption of spicy foods tends to make you flush and sweat, leading to increased hot flashes. Limit your consumption of spicy foods when possible. Smoking—If you needed one more reason to quit, here it is. Smoking increases hot flashes. However, if you have a genetic

Dr. Melissa Miskell September 20, 2018

Precision Hormone and Thyroid Balancing Serving All of Texas and Arizona

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News and Knowledge

What are the Indications for Starting Hormone Replacement Therapy in a Menopausal Woman?

What kind of doctor prescribes Hormone Replacement Therapy?

What is Telemedicine?

PMS: Taming the Monster

Non-Hormonal Help for Hot Flashes and Night Sweats

4 Common Activities that Trigger Hot Flashes

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