Women's Health
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Harlingen Family Care Clinic
Family Medicine & Aesthetics located in Harlingen, TX
As a woman, you care for your children, family, and friends. Taking care of yourself by prioritizing your own well-being is important for a happy and healthy life. Women’s bodies face unique conditions, from pregnancy to menopause, that can require special care. For well-woman exams, hormone replacement therapy, and more, visit Rolando Posada, MD, and the team at Harlingen Family Care Clinic in Harlingen, Texas. Call the office today or request an appointment online.
Women's Health Q & A
What conditions are specific to women’s health care?
While some health conditions affect women and men equally, other conditions are unique to women’s bodies. Issues involving pregnancy, menopause, and female reproductive organs affect women in different ways.
Common conditions impacting a woman’s health include:
- Pregnancy
- Menopause
- Osteoporosis
- Cancer, including breast cancer and cervical cancer
Some conditions that affect both genders impact women differently. For example, women are more likely to suffer from urinary tract infections (UTIs) and experience complications following a heart attack.
Take a preventive approach to your well-being and get regular well-woman exams. These annual exams serve as a chance to talk with the doctor about any concerns you have, and the exam usually includes a physical, breast exam, and gynecologic exam.
What is a hormone imbalance?
Menopause is a period of life that all women go through when they’re no longer able to have children. It normally starts between the ages of 45 and 55, and lasts 4-5 years, on average. With menopause comes a decrease in the female hormone, estrogen.
Decreased estrogen levels can lead to hormonal imbalance, which occurs when your body no longer produces the same amount of hormones. A hormone imbalance often comes with a variety of symptoms, including:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Vaginal dryness
- Insomnia
- Irritability or moodiness
These symptoms can come and go throughout menopause and perimenopause, the transition into menopause. If you’re suffering negative symptoms associated with hormonal changes, it’s time to find relief.
How can hormone replacement therapy help me?
Many symptoms of menopause are unpleasant and can make life difficult. Hormone replacement therapy is a treatment aimed at providing relief from symptoms by supplementing your body with the hormones it’s missing.
For women, hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, involves replacing the estrogen that your body no longer produces. Depending on your lifestyle and needs, Dr. Posada and the team can recommend a few different types of HRT.
Estrogen supplements can be taken in the form of:
- Oral pill
- Skin patch
- Topical cream, gel, or spray
- Vaginal cream, ring or tablet
If you’ve had a hysterectomy, you might take estrogen alone. But if you still have your uterus, estrogen needs to be combined with progesterone to reduce your risk of developing certain types of cancer.
For top-quality women’s health care, including hormone replacement therapy, make an appointment at Harlingen Family Care Clinic. Call the clinic or book an appointment online to get started.
