6708 North Knoxville Avenue, Peoria, Illinois 309.692.6838 www.peoriaintegrativewomenshealth.com Introducing: Bioidentical Hormone Pellets at the Couri Center Menopausal women have many choices in hormone replacement, but estrogen and testosterone pellets seem to be stealing the show! Let’s face it - patches can be irritating, creams can be cumbersome, and pills create swings in blood hormone levels on a daily basis. If you are suffering with hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, vaginal dryness, lack of sex drive, fatigue, aches and pains, poor memory and concentration, moodiness or depression, you may be a candidate for hormone replacement. You have many options, but for the woman who wants to feel truly young again, pellets are the most popular choice. Our office is excited to now offer hormone pellet therapy. This new service is just another way that we are constantly striving to help you achieve optimal health, in addition to looking and feeling your best. Estradiol and testosterone pellets are inserted in the fat layer under the skin of the hip and release hormone slowly over time, maintaining constant and reliable blood levels. The hormone levels gradually rise, peak at 3-4 weeks, and then gradually fall over the following few months. In the natural pre-menopausal state, ovaries make 3 types of estrogen as well as testosterone and progesterone. These hormones are maintained in a balance. Hormone pellet therapy is better able to mimic pre-menopausal physiologic levels of estrogen. Pellet therapy also offers the option of adding testosterone, which is produced by the ovaries along with estrogen before menopause. Women who receive hormone pellets find that they feel normal again, many after suffering for years with difficult menopausal symptoms. These women report no more hot flashes or night sweats. They regain their ability to sleep through the night peacefully and wake up feeling refreshed with a general feeling of well-being. Women who receive both estradiol and testosterone pellets also report a renewed sex drive, ability to enjoy sex and experience orgasms for the first time in years. In our experience, no other method of hormone replacement attains the same consistent blood levels and actual positive results. Insertion is easy, quick, and relatively painless. A small area on the hip is sterilized and local anesthetic is injected just under the skin. Continued on next page... A note from Dr. Michele Couri April 2012
Transcript
6708 North Knoxville Avenue, Peoria, Illinois 309.692.6838 www.peoriaintegrativewomenshealth.com
Introducing: Bioidentical
Hormone Pellets at the Couri
Center Menopausal women have many choices in hormone replacement, but estrogen and testosterone pellets seem to be stealing the show! Let’s face it - patches can be irritating, creams can be cumbersome, and pills create swings in blood hormone levels on a daily basis. If you are suffering with hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, vaginal dryness, lack of sex drive, fatigue, aches and pains, poor memory and concentration, moodiness or depression, you may be a candidate for hormone replacement. You have many options, but for the woman who wants to feel truly young again, pellets are the most popular choice. Our office is excited to now offer hormone pellet therapy. This new service is just another way that we are constantly striving to help you achieve optimal health, in addition to looking and feeling your best.
Estradiol and testosterone pellets are inserted in the fat layer under the skin of the hip and release hormone slowly over time, maintaining constant and reliable blood levels. The hormone levels gradually rise, peak at 3-4 weeks, and then gradually fall over the following few months. In the natural pre-menopausal state, ovaries make 3 types of estrogen as well as testosterone and progesterone. These hormones are maintained in a balance. Hormone pellet therapy is better able to mimic pre-menopausal physiologic levels of estrogen. Pellet therapy also offers the option of adding testosterone, which is produced by the ovaries along with estrogen before menopause. Women who receive hormone pellets find that they feel normal again, many after suffering for years with difficult menopausal symptoms. These women report no more hot flashes or night sweats. They regain their ability to sleep through the night peacefully and wake up feeling refreshed with a general feeling of well-being. Women who receive both estradiol and testosterone pellets also report a renewed sex drive, ability to enjoy sex and experience orgasms for the first time in years. In our experience, no other method of hormone replacement attains the same consistent blood levels and actual positive results. Insertion is easy, quick, and relatively painless. A small area on the hip is sterilized and local anesthetic is injected just under the skin. Continued on next page...
A note from Dr. Michele Couri
April 2012
6708 North Knoxville Avenue, Peoria, Illinois 309.692.6838 www.peoriaintegrativewomenshealth.com
A note from Dr. Michele Couri continued... A tiny nick is made in the skin and, using a trocar, the hormone pellets, which are the size of rice grains, are inserted under the skin. The tiny incision is closed with adhesive strips and covered with a Band-Aid. Women with an intact uterus will need to also take progesterone pills or cream to protect the uterine lining from overstimulation by estrogen. In this office we prefer bioidentical progesterone to synthetic. Bioidentical oral progesterone is available commercially as Prometrium or can be compounded at a compounding pharmacy. Progesterone cream is available over the counter or can be compounded. We generally try to avoid any uterine bleeding by giving the progesterone daily, but this is not always successful. If irregular bleeding occurs on the continuous therapy we alter our regimen to a 10 day a month pulse of progesterone, which causes a predictable monthly bleed. Before women receive hormone pellets, hormone levels will be checked to ensure that the dose of the pellets will be individualized for each woman. Women receiving hormone pellets will be asked to return for blood levels in a few months.
The results of these blood levels will be evaluated by a Dr. Couri or one of her Advanced Practice Nurses, Sue Lang or Terry Polanin. Then, a recommendation will be made for timing and dosage of the next pellets. We base our decisions about dosage and timing on symptoms as well. Some women feel better with higher levels of hormones than others. All of these factors are taken into account when tailoring a hormone pellet regimen to an individual woman. If you begin to experience hot flashes, night sweats, moodiness or inability to sleep before you are scheduled to come in for a blood hormone level, please move your appointment up. You may need your pellets sooner than anticipated.
Cooking Classes are BACK!Cooking Classes are BACK! April 24, 2012April 24, 2012 “Food and Mood”“Food and Mood” Guest Speaker: Dr. Joy Miller, Ph.DGuest Speaker: Dr. Joy Miller, Ph.D June 19, 2012June 19, 2012 “ In the Herb Garden”“ In the Herb Garden” Guest Speaker: Jan Powers, Peoria Herb GuildGuest Speaker: Jan Powers, Peoria Herb Guild August 21, 2012August 21, 2012 “Vegetarian Cuisine”“Vegetarian Cuisine” Guest Speaker: Susan Waltrip, MS, RD, LDNGuest Speaker: Susan Waltrip, MS, RD, LDN October 16, 2012October 16, 2012 “The Power of Detoxification”“The Power of Detoxification” Guest Speaker: Dr. Melissa Young, MDGuest Speaker: Dr. Melissa Young, MD We are excited to announce our 2012 Cooking Class schedule. Please join us for evenings full of great speakers, healthy foodWe are excited to announce our 2012 Cooking Class schedule. Please join us for evenings full of great speakers, healthy food, a, and spec-nd spec-tacular information. All Cooking Classes cost $10* per class. We prefer you call 692tacular information. All Cooking Classes cost $10* per class. We prefer you call 692--6838 to sign up in advance. Payment will be6838 to sign up in advance. Payment will be taken at taken at the door. Classes are from 6:00pmthe door. Classes are from 6:00pm--8:00pm each night.8:00pm each night. *All money collected from all the Cooking Classes will be donated to medical research.*All money collected from all the Cooking Classes will be donated to medical research.
"It is a mistake for anyone to think he has lived too long in his old and unsatisfactory ways to make any great change. If you switch on the light in a dark room, it makes no difference how long it was dark because the light will
still shine..." -Vernon Howard
Tired? Stressed? Could it be Adrenal Imbalance? Are you tired when you wake in the morning or have trouble falling asleep? Are you wired but exhausted? Do you get dizzy when standing? Do you have digestive issues? Are you unable to tolerate exercise as in the past? Are you gaining weight at your waistline? Do you suffer frequent headaches? Do you retain water? Do you crave salty foods or sweets? Are you irritable? Do you have a low sex drive or high anxiety? The problem may be adrenal dysfunction. Adrenal glands produce hormones to create “balance” throughout a woman's life. Adrenal fatigue or imbalance is not highly-recognized, but its treatment can greatly improve a woman’s quality of life. A doctor can check adrenal function through a simple saliva cortisol test. The adrenals produce the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol. At the first sign of stress, adrenaline and cortisol levels spike. The adrenaline fades, but the cortisol stays elevated to deal with stress over time. Ideally, cortisol levels rise in the morning to help the body awaken, then gradually decrease throughout the day and night to allow sleep. During severe stress, natural cortisol levels rise and stay high, and over time, the adrenals may pump so much cortisol that they “burn out,” causing fatigue and despair as well as disrupting female hormone levels. Such prolonged adrenal imbalance can damage the intestines, heart, joints, and other tissues. During menopause, when the ovaries produce less estrogen, the adrenal
glands "back up" the ovaries by producing the hormone DHEA, which turns into estrogen or other needed female or male hormones. Healthy adrenals produce DHEA, but as a woman ages, so do her adrenals. Significant stress over a lifetime raises a woman's cortisol use, which can
deplete the adrenals by the time she needs them during menopause. A saliva test showing high levels or cortisol and low levels of progester-
one or DHEA indicates adrenal stress, which increases menopausal difficulties and risks of other medical problems. Men's and women's bodies respond differently to stress. When men’s cortisol levels elevate, they return to normal levels quickly, protecting their adrenal glands. When women's cortisol levels elevate, they remain high for longer periods of time; thus, women are more prone to hormonal imbalance. Prolonged imbalance can impact the digestive system, the thyroid, serotonin levels, insulin/blood sugar balance, joints, brain, and overall health. There is hope! Adrenal imbalance can be treated, no matter how depleted. The Couri Center's TLC-Adrenal program uses these lifestyle habits, stress
management, and appropriate nutrients to treat it: B vitamins including B1, B5, B12, B6 (Ortho B Complex or Cardio-B vitamins are available at the Couri Center)
Foods promoting B vitamins such as whole grains, quinoa, and buckwheat, not refined white sugars that deplete the B vitamins
Whole foods including green vegetables, seeds, nuts, colorful fruits and vegetables, fish, and turkey soups
Eight hours of sleep to help the body make healing hormones
Five or six small meals throughout the day
A high-protein breakfast including egg whites, whey protein drinks, yogurt, or vegetable or turkey sausage
No skipped meals
Alpha lipoic acid, an antioxidant which helps normalize cortisol levels and promotes a healthy heart Magnesium, a natural, calming antioxidant found in green vegetables or a magnesium citrate/glycinate/chelate/aspartatre supplement Daily physical activity
Adrenal health requires lifestyle control, stress management, and patience. The adrenals deplete over months or years, so it will take time to replenish them. Please schedule an appointment with one of our advanced practice nurses, and join us at the Couri Center for a jour-ney to a healthier you!
Terry Polanin, MS, RN, APN, References: Pick, Marcelle, 2011, Are You Tired and Wired?
Berksen, D. Lindsey, 2010. Safe Hormones, Smart Women. Wilson, James, 2001. Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome
“Restoring Health to Women’s Healthcare.”
Couri Center Blood Drive
June 30, 2012
9am-Noon *Call 692-6838 to schedule an appointment
“Restoring Health to Women’s Healthcare.”
Meet our staff: Dr. Michele Couri M.D., FACOG Doctor of Gynecology and Integrative Medicine
Susan F. Lang MS, APN, CNM, LCCE Advance Practice Nurse
Terry Polanin MS, APN, FNP-BC Nurse Practitioner
Leslie Rusch-Bayer BS, CPT Certified Personal Trainer
Proven to CHANGE your life
in 15 weeks...
TLC™ is a disease reduction and prevention program that is
used to reduce or eliminate the effects of cardiometabolic
diseases, adrenal fatigue, gastrointestinal disorders, bone
