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Norterra Family Medicine

Menopause marks the time in a woman’s life when her cycle ends. It wreaks havoc on hormones and creates myriad symptoms that can seriously affect quality of life. Dr. Kristine Sarna, Mollyann Allen, PA and Nicole Walker, PA of Norterra Family Medicine offer bioidentical hormone therapy to balance your hormones, so you feel and look great.

At what age do women experience menopause?

Menopause is diagnosed when you’ve gone an entire year without your period. The average age of menopause in the United States is 51, but you may experience symptoms several years before in a stage known as perimenopause.

What are the symptoms of menopause?

Some women experience very mild symptoms during menopause and perimenopause, but other women can have their lives severely affected by:

What treatment is available for menopause symptoms and increased health risks?

Many of the uncomfortable symptoms of menopause can be attributed to changing hormone levels. At Norterra Family Medicine, Dr. Sarna, Mollyann Allen, PA and Nicole Walker, PA offer natural hormone therapy to balance out your hormones and alleviate symptoms.

What are bioidentical hormones?

Bioidentical hormones exactly match the chemical makeup of your body’s hormones. They’re derived from natural plant ingredients. Synthetic hormones don’t match your hormones chemically, and are thus not as effective and can have notable side effects.

What are the benefits of hormone therapy?

You experience a greater sense of vitality; freedom from hot flashes; weight loss; and improved memory and mood. Bioidentical hormones can also slow bone loss and reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. Many of the vaginal symptoms, such as dryness and urinary incontinence, can also be resolved.

How are bioidentical hormones prescribed?

The doctors review your medical history and go over your symptoms to determine whether bioidentical hormones are right for you. Then, a compounding pharmacy puts together the hormones in pellets that are administered just under your skin, creams or lozenges.