Menopause – Treatment

Transcript

Menopause is treated based on the symptoms the woman is having as well as their hormone levels. The symptoms are treated with hormone replacement therapy, typically a combination of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Sometimes thyroid replacement is required as well. Progesterone is definitely needed in any woman that has her uterus in place and her uterus intact. Progesterone protects the uterus. So you cannot take unopposed estrogen if you have your uterus in place, because it will cause thickness in the end of each uteral lining and can lead to transitional changes and cancer. So any woman that has a uterus needs to be on both estrogen as well as progesterone. I also prescribe testosterone. Testosterone is not yet FDA approved in women yet. However, based on my clinical fund of knowledge, I am able and legally able to prescribe testosterone or for that matter, many other drugs off label. And so I also prescribe testosterone, thyroid replacement therapy if it’s needed, DHEA for adrenal gland support, if indicated.