HRT for Women · Kingwood, The Woodlands & New Caney
Hormone Replacement Therapy for Women
Hot flashes, poor sleep, brain fog and a fading sex drive are not something you just have to live with. Julie Bernell, MD, offers physician-led bioidentical hormone replacement therapy for women at every stage of midlife.
Why hormones matter
When estrogen, progesterone and testosterone shift
Estrogen, progesterone and testosterone do far more than run your cycle. They influence sleep, mood, memory, skin, bone strength, muscle, metabolism and sexual health. When they start to fluctuate in your late 30s and 40s, and then fall at menopause, the effects can show up almost anywhere.
Hormone replacement therapy for women (HRT) restores some of what has been lost. At elev8HRT, treatment starts with lab work and a detailed conversation, so your plan is built on your numbers and your symptoms, not on a standard dose.
Symptoms
Signs your hormones may be out of balance
Many women notice several of these at once. Each one has its own cause, which is why we look at the whole picture. Explore our menopause symptom guide.
Body and sleep
Mood, mind and intimacy
- Anxiety, irritability or mood swings
- Brain fog and forgetfulness
- Low libido
- Vaginal dryness or painful sex
- Irregular or heavy periods
- Bladder leaks or recurring UTIs
Who we help
HRT at every stage
Hormone needs change over time. Your plan should too.
Perimenopause
The years before your last period, when cycles become unpredictable and symptoms often begin.
Menopause and beyond
Twelve months after your final period, when estrogen and progesterone settle at low levels.
Surgical menopause
After a hysterectomy with removal of the ovaries, hormone levels can drop overnight.
Treatment
Bioidentical options, including pellets
Bioidentical hormones have the same molecular structure as the hormones your body makes. Depending on your needs, your plan may include estradiol, progesterone and, for some women, a low dose of testosterone.
Dr. Bernell is a certified provider of EvexiPEL pellet therapy, which delivers steady hormone levels for several months from one small pellet. Pellets are not right for everyone, and she will walk you through the other treatment options as well.
Women who still have a uterus generally need progesterone along with estrogen to protect the uterine lining. That is part of every plan we discuss.
Is HRT safe for women? For many healthy women under 60, or within about 10 years of menopause, the benefits of hormone therapy for bothersome symptoms generally outweigh the risks. HRT is not recommended for everyone, including some women with a history of breast cancer, blood clots, stroke or liver disease. Pellets are compounded medications and are not FDA approved. Dr. Bernell reviews your history and labs before recommending any treatment, and monitors you throughout.
Serving the Lake Houston area
Close to home
Our office is at 22186 Market Place Dr., Suites 132 & 133, in New Caney, convenient for patients from Kingwood, The Woodlands, Porter, Humble and across Montgomery County.
- Kingwood
- The Woodlands
- New Caney
- Porter
- Humble
- Lake Houston
- Montgomery County
Questions
Common questions
At what age should a woman consider hormone replacement therapy?
There is no single age. Many women first notice symptoms in their 40s during perimenopause. What matters most is how you feel, your health history and your lab results, which we review together at your first visit.
Can women take testosterone?
Yes. Women make testosterone too, and levels decline with age. A low, carefully monitored dose may help with libido and energy for some women. It is always dosed for a woman, never a man.
How long will it take to feel a difference?
Some women notice changes in sleep and hot flashes within a few weeks. Other symptoms can take a few months. Follow-up labs help us adjust your plan.
Do I need a referral?
No referral is needed. Call our New Caney office at 281-319-4111 to schedule.