There are so many stories about hormones these days....what can you believe?

Bio-identicals, salivary tests, anti-aging, increased breast cancer risks....are you confused? That's our business...helping you sort out the information and help you choose what to do, if anything, as you transition through menopause. There is no easy answer and depending on your issues, we may need several visits. There is no one right source.

I follow the guidelines from the American College of OB/GYN and the North American Menopause Society. I don't do saliva testing, and rarely need blood testing because we follow women taking hormones by their symptom response.

You shouldn't use hormones for anti-aging.

We can often find ways for you to transition through menopause without hormones, if you like.

All hormones should be considered to have the same safety and risks, so if you decide to use hormones you need to be open to trying enough of them to find the one that works best for you.

No hormone is safer than another.

All hormones are synthesized from vegetables, even "bio-identical".

The only "natural" hormones is Premarin which comes from horse urine.

We’ve had pharmacy supplied (regular prescription) bio-identical hormones for decades. They are not new and you don’t have to get them compounded. We may choose compounding for specific reasons.

You need to be directed toward your options because there are so many people and companies trying to make a business out of hormones and menopause books.

There are only a few reasons to use hormones.

Don't try to "feel better" or "have more energy" or fix the emotional issues your life stresses cause by using hormones.

If this philosophy works for you, come see me. Dr. Ledbetter.