Healthcare providers at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital (PVCH) Family Medicine want to remind the community about the many FDA-approved hormone-replacement-therapy options they offer.
As women enter their thirties and forties, many begin to experience hormonal imbalances that can affect their quality of life. Hormone therapy has emerged as a pivotal treatment to manage symptoms related to pre-menopause, menopause and other hormonal issues.
“We provide pre- and post-menopausal hormonal treatments in our Family Medicine practice,” said Susan Aistrup, nurse practitioner. “Sometimes this involves estrogen or progestogen, or a combination of both. This could be in the form of oral medication, patches, gels or injections.
“Compounded bioidentical therapy also is an option,” she added. “Other considerations are lifestyle changes or hormone-replacement therapy.”
Common symptoms that may lead a woman to seek advice about these treatment options are hot flashes and night sweats; weight gain; constipation; numbness and tingling in the hands; and vaginal dryness.
“Since hormone imbalances may be related to various underlying conditions, a visit to a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment is crucial,” Aistrup noted. “Our Family Medicine providers look at the patient’s overall health, ensuring that all aspects of well-being are considered during treatment.”
Hormones are a chemical produced by the endocrine system that regulate many bodily functions.
“An imbalance can affect metabolism and energy levels, which can lead to weight changes, and affect blood sugar, blood pressure, and fluid- and body- temperature regulation,” Aistrup said. “There also could be issues with muscle mass and bone density, which can lead to an increased risk of osteoporosis.”
In addition to the physical concerns of a hormonal imbalance, a woman’s mental health may be affected.
These imbalances can cause anxiety, depression, hair loss, sleep disturbances, digestive problems, change in libido, fatigue, skin problems, sensitivity to heat or cold, menstrual irregularities and mood swings.
Those who are considering over-the-counter “natural remedies” should discuss this topic with their healthcare provider, cautioned Jewel Davis, director of clinic operations.
“Family and patient history should be reviewed before using preparations that are not FDA-approved,” she said.
Davis added that hormone replacement therapy is an area of interest for all PVCH Family Medicine providers. “Two hormone treatments patients can receive right here in our office with an injection are Depo-Testosterone and Depo-Provera,” she said.
Other women’s health services offered at PVCH include preventive screenings; annual well-woman exams (with or without a Pap smear); breast exams; birth control and contraceptive care; pregnancy testing; hormone injections administered by a nurse who monitors levels; obstetrics and prenatal care; healthy weight-loss support; mammograms; DEXA scans; and sonograms.
For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact PVCH Family Medicine at 620-804-6007.
Pawnee Valley Community Hospital, 923 Carroll in Larned, is a 25-bed facility, offering many services not typically available in a smaller facility. Included are 24/7 emergency care; acute, skilled and specialized nursing; surgery; high-tech imaging and laboratory tests; wound care; rehabilitation; and sleep and diagnostic center. PVCH Family Medicine provides the full range of family-medicine services; physician-assisted weight loss; and women’s health services. The hospital’s number is 620-285-3161; the clinic’s number is 620-804-6007.
