About Bayou MD
Let our gynecology trained physicians help you live through menopause the right way! Many women experience the effects of hormone imbalance as they age, some as early as age 35. No one can accurately predict when, or if these symptoms will occur and the extent to which they may impact the quality of your life. Our hormone therapies include compounded pellets customized to your needs.
There are key signals that should alert you to the possibility that changes you sense in your body may be related to depleted hormone levels. If you notice loss of libido, unexpected weight gain, forgetfulness, unusual mood swings, changes in the look and feel of your hair and skin, or just general fatigue and a lack of energy or drive, you are probably experiencing the unpleasant side effects of perimenopause or menopause.
Perimenopause is characterized by irregular periods, is more common in your mid to late 40’s, and can last for several years before periods stop completely during full menopause.
We believe the problem starts with a decline in the supply of natural hormones within the body. We solve the problem with hormones the body recognizes as being identical to the ones to which it is familiar.
Hormone replace therapy can help. Restoring hormonal balance has many positive health benefits as well as helping to control symptoms of menopause. Most doctors treat patients with synthetic drugs that have been known to have harsh and unpleasant side effects. In our clinics we perform thorough laboratory testing to specifically identify those hormones that need supplementation or proper regulation. We only prescribe bioidentical hormones that are produced to exacting standards by qualified professional pharmacies. These products are designed to mirror the hormones produced by the body.
Patient Forms
Through routine monitoring ,hormone level adjustment, and proper diet and exercise, our goal is to make you feel your very best so that you get your life back to the way it used to be.
Providing access to the proper hormones can help the body prevent or reverse many age-related issues. By using bioidentical forms of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms may be effectively addressed.
Estrogen
Estrogen refers to a group of similar hormones produced in the body. Like Testosterone, Estrogen is a required hormone for the health of BOTH men and women. The main three are estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), and estriol (E3). Estrogens are believed to be protective against heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and memory disorders. In women it also protects against vaginal atrophy, urinary incontinence, and prevents symptoms of menopause, including poor temperature regulation (i.e. “hot Flashes”). Estrogen deficiency is linked to: increased skin wrinkles of the face, fatigue, depression, mood swings and decreased libido.
Progesterone
Progesterone is primarily produced in the ovary just prior to and after ovulation. It is also produced in large quantities by the placenta during pregnancy and in small quantities by the adrenal glands. If you are on bio-identical estrogen, you should be on this hormone as well. It protects against uterine and breast cancers, fibrocystic disease and ovarian cysts. Progesterone counteracts the fluid retention, as well as other symptoms, seen in estrogen dominant women. Additionally, it potentiates estrogen’s cardiovascular and bone benefits.
Unfortunately, most women in the USA are prescribed a synthetic progestin (Provera), which can cause side effects such as bloating, headaches, fatigue, weight gain, and heart disease. Because of this, we only use bioidentical Progesterone, compounded in a strength specifically for you. The delivery system is by capsule, troche, triturate, or rapidly dissolving tablet.
Testosterone
Testosterone is vital to the health and well-being of BOTH men and women. In women, testosterone is produced in both the ovaries and the adrenal glands. Testosterone contributes to muscle mass, strength and endurance, decreased fat, increased exercise tolerance, enhancement of the sense of well-being and psychological health. Testosterone protects against cardiovascular disease and reduces blood sugar. It leads to improved lean muscle mass, increased bone density, decrease in cholesterol, improved skin tone, improved healing capacity, and increased libido and sexual performance. It enhances the quality of life for women by decreasing the health issues caused by deficiencies. Because many providers only treat patients based on lab results, many don’t receive the treatment they need for optimal health.
Natural, biologically identical hormones are derived from plants, such as the wild yam or soybean plant, and are chemically and functionally identical to human hormones. Because of this, they produce the same physiologic responses and are processed by the body in the same way as endogenous hormones (those made by the body).
Synthetic, or non-bioidentical hormones are those that are manufactured with a different chemical structure to those normally produced in the human body. As the body works to metabolize these foreign substances it can produce toxic by-products, which cause a wide array of side effects like bloating, mood swings, water retention, and more serious problems such as cancer and heart disease. Synthetic hormones have been shown to produce harm and side effects that are not seen with bioidentical hormones. Another issue with conventional hormone replacement therapy is that only standard doses are available. It’s a one-size-fits-all approach to prescribing.
At Bayou MD, we use an individualized approach to hormone replacement therapy. We assess each patient’s individual hormonal status using their medical history, symptoms, and lab work. We then implement a protocol individually tailored for that particular person. Therapy is then carefully monitored, and if necessary, modified or titrated in accordance with clinical and laboratory results.
Pellet therapy can be an effective treatment option for sustained hormone levels*. It takes estrogen and testosterone hormones from natural plant sources to replicate your body’s normal levels.
The pellets are 100% natural and are smaller than a grain of rice. They are simply inserted into the fatty tissue underneath the skin to begin releasing hormones into the bloodstream. The pellet implantation is performed quickly and easily in the office. Start with a free consultation to see if this type of therapy is right for you.
*Individual results may vary based on your meeting with the doctor.
Treatment
What is Involved in Starting Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy?
You will fill out a brief medical history and a symptoms questionnaire when you have your lab work done. If you live out of town we can arrange for your labs to be drawn at a location near you.
As early as 2 days after your lab work, we can see you for your initial consultation. We will discuss your symptoms, history, lifestyle and goals and also review the results from your blood work. From this information, we will make recommendations for a a course of treatment.
Follow Up Appointments
We require that you have a follow up appointment every 3 months during the first year of treatment. This is to ensure that your hormone levels are at the correct level and to ensure that your treatment is optimal for you. Prior to each follow up appointment you will be required to have your labs completed.
Pharmacy
If you choose our prescription pill, cream or pellet options, please know that we have undergone a rigorous selection process for the compounding pharmacy that we utilize. For pellet therapy, our physicians are able to tailor the dosage to your symptoms. This helps to minimize side effects. Pellets are tiny, similar to a grain of rice, that are placed under your skin and dissolve. They typically give symptom relief for 3-4 months and can then be replaced.
Pricing
We require patients to pay for their treatment at the time of service. We accept major credit cards, debit cards, cash, flex and HSA cards. We also accept Care Credit which offers NO INTEREST payment plans to those who qualify.
We do not accept insurance at this time. However, upon request, we will provide you with a form that gives you the proper codes to submit to your insurance company. Any insurance reimbursement will go directly to you.
Common Symptoms
Perimenopause Symptoms
● Loss of Libido
● Inability to think clearly
● Unexpected Weight Gain
● Hot flashes, hot flushes, night sweats and/or cold flashes, clammy feeling
● Irregular heart beat
● Irritable or Moody, sudden tears
● Trouble sleeping through the night (with or without night sweats)
● Irregular periods; shorter, lighter periods; heavier periods, flooding; phantom periods, shorter cycles, longer cycles
● Food Cravings
● Crashing fatigue
● Anxiety, feeling ill at ease
● Feelings of dread, apprehension, doom
● Difficulty concentrating, disorientation, mental confusion
● Disturbing memory lapses
● Aching, sore joints, muscles and tendons
● Increased tension in muscles
● Breast tenderness
● Sudden bouts of bloating
● Depression
● Exacerbation of existing conditions
● Increase in allergies
Menopause Symptoms
● Loss of Libido
● Depression
● Irritable or Moody
● Trouble sleeping through the night
● Joint Inflamation
● Hair Growth or Hair Loss
● Anxiousness
● Acne
● PMS, Hot Flashes, or Sweating During Sleep
● Heart Flutter
● Breast Tenderness
● Incontinence
● Skin or Vaginal Dryness
● Unpredictable Periods
Get in touch with us today!
Request an appointment with us online or call our office.