Skip to main content

Tag: menopause

FDA removes black box warning on menopause hormone therapy. Learn what this change means and how hormone therapy in Tampa can support your health.

FDA Removes Black Box Warning on Hormone Therapy

Written by Tami Oberbroeckling, PA-C on . Posted in Bio-identical Hormone Replacement. No Comments on FDA Removes Black Box Warning on Hormone Therapy

What the FDA’s Change to Hormone Therapy Warnings Means for You in Tampa

Earlier this week,  the FDA announced that it has initiated the process of removing the black box warning on all forms of hormone therapy for menopause. This is a significant update in women’s health and hormone care. If you are in the Tampa area and have been exploring hormone therapy for menopause symptoms, this shift brings new context and opportunity. At Tampa Bay Total Wellness, we believe in informed, personalized hormone care.

Why the warning existed and what is changing

The black box warning was added after a large-scale study in the early 2000s linked menopausal hormone therapy with increased risks of heart attack, stroke, and breast cancer. Since then, new research has shown that for many healthy women, the benefits of hormone therapy may outweigh those risks. The FDA move signals a change in how hormone therapy is positioned rather than a guarantee that there are no risks. It means more women may safely consider hormone therapy under guidance.

What this means for hormone therapy in Tampa

For women in Tampa and the surrounding areas, this update means:

  • Less stigma around discussing menopause hormone therapy.
  • Potentially easier access or more transparent decision-making about estrogen therapy in menopause.
  • A renewed emphasis on individually tailored care rather than one-size-fits-all.

At our Tampa wellness practice, we utilize advanced lab testing, engage in in-depth dialogue about personal risk, and provide comprehensive follow-up to ensure safety and effectiveness.

When hormone therapy is a good option

If you are experiencing any of the following, it may be time to talk about hormone therapy:

  • Hot flashes, night sweats or mood swings.
  • Difficulty sleeping or persistent fatigue.
  • Weight gain or a change in body composition around menopause.
  • Loss of libido or other hormonal shifts.
  • Brain fog or reduced mental clarity.

Our hormone therapy in Tampa at Tampa Bay Total Wellness is designed to support energy, mood, sleep, and overall vitality.

What we watch closely

Even though the warning is being removed, it is not an invitation to skip medical oversight. We continue to monitor your cardiovascular health, breast health history, and clotting risk, and utilize evidence-based protocols. The FDA’s change is a sign of evolving science, not a guarantee of zero risk.

If you are in Tampa and want to talk about how hormone therapy might support your health through menopause, we invite you to schedule a consultation today. Personalized care and safe hormone support await.

Schedule Your Consultation 

Couples who undergo hormone replacement therapy together lower their divorce rate by more than 50%

Written by Tami Oberbroeckling, PA-C on . Posted in Bio-identical Hormone Replacement. No Comments on Couples who undergo hormone replacement therapy together lower their divorce rate by more than 50%

happy couple
Couples who do hormone replacement therapy restore happiness to their marriage.

Couples who undergo hormone replacement therapy together lower their divorce rate by more than 50%!

Over 60% of divorces are initiated by women in their 40s, 50s and 60s, the menopause years.  Menopause can lead women to suffer a low mood, poor self-esteem, diminished quality of life and more.  Recent research suggests only a third of the women suffering menopausal symptoms are offered hormonal replacement therapy.  A survey recently conducted shows 7 in 10 women (74%) blame menopause for the breakdown of their marriage and eventual divorce.

One study even found that men suffering from low testosterone were more likely to experience symptoms of depression, mood swings and mental changes causing confusion and difficulty communicating with their partner.

When hormonal imbalance hits a marriage, the effects begin to cause failure in the bedroom.  Passion and sexual desire are lost between the couple. They tend to place the blame on each other leading to further separation, anger, abuse, and neglect.

The good news is that couples who identify the role hormones play in their overall wellbeing and happiness and seek help with hormone balance find that they not only restore their relationship but find a new lease on life and a love and desire for each other.  Seeking treatment as a couple seems to be the key to marriage survival.

The benefits of couples doing hormone replacement therapy include.

The couples become closer.

Sharing this important lifetime experience together improves your overall connection.  Couples who find themselves drifting apart will find an increased desire to be with each other and rekindle their relationship.

Improves satisfaction in the relationship.

When both people are feeling better, everything appears better.  When their libido is again in sink, the stress of the relationship is lessened, and the couple looks forward to time with each other.

Improves communication.

Going through this experience together gives the couple the opportunity to discuss the process and celebrate the improvement, this leads to increased communication and bonding,

Restores belief in each other and marriage.

The increased communication and intimacy lead to a feeling of being supported by their partner.  This regained belief in each other and their relationship restores the excitement towards the commitment they made to each other in Marriage.

Husbands and wives are embarking on hormone replacement together.  Many are empty nesters and are finding a new lease on life.  It is the perfect time to restore the energy toward your health and relationship.  Having greater desire for life and each other, couples begin to look forward to date night and time alone.  Hormonally balanced couples routinely admit that the decision to invest in their health and hormones literally saved their marriage.

Bio-identical Hormones, what are they, and why should you use them?

Written by Tami Oberbroeckling, PA-C on . Posted in Bio-identical Hormone Replacement. No Comments on Bio-identical Hormones, what are they, and why should you use them?

Bio-identical Hormones, what are they, and why should you use them?

Bio-identical hormones are hormones that have a molecular structure identical to the hormones naturally produced by the human body. These hormones are often derived from plant sources and are designed to mimic the body’s own hormones. Common sources include yams and soybeans. These plants contain compounds that can be converted into hormones with a molecular structure identical to the hormones produced by the human body. Once extracted and processed, these hormones can be used in hormone replacement therapy to address hormonal imbalances.

Some common bio-identical hormones used in hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) include:

Estradiol: A type of estrogen, commonly used to relieve menopausal symptoms in women.

Progesterone: A hormone involved in regulating the menstrual cycle and preparing the uterus for pregnancy. It is often used in combination with estrogen in BHRT for menopausal women.

Testosterone: A hormone primarily associated with male development, but also present in females. It may be used in hormone replacement therapy for women with testosterone deficiencies.

DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone): A hormone produced by the adrenal glands and a precursor to both estrogen and testosterone. DHEA supplements are sometimes used in BHRT.

These hormones can be prescribed in various forms, such as pellets, creams, gels, patches, pills, or injections, depending on the individual’s needs and the healthcare provider’s recommendations.

The Benefits of Bio-identical hormones are.

Symptom Relief: Bio-identical hormones can alleviate symptoms associated with menopause, such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and vaginal dryness.

Individualized Treatment: Bio-identical hormones can be customized to an individual’s unique hormone needs, which may lead to more personalized and effective treatment.

Mimicking Natural Hormones: Since bio-identical hormones have the same molecular structure as the body’s natural hormones, they may be better tolerated and more easily processed by the body compared to synthetic hormones.

Lower Risk: Bio-identical hormones carry a lower risk of side effects and adverse reactions compared to synthetic hormones.

Bone Health: Hormone replacement therapy, including bio-identical hormones, may help maintain bone density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis in menopausal women.

Cardiovascular Health: BHRT may positively impact cardiovascular health by improving cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of heart disease in certain individuals.

It’s important to note that while bio-identical hormones have potential benefits, their use and effectiveness may vary from person to person. Hormone therapy should be carefully considered, and its risks and benefits should be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional to make an informed decision tailored to individual health needs and conditions.