Institute for Hormonal Balance

It’s probably no surprise that as we age, our hormone production wanes. If you’re a woman, that means your estrogen and progesterone levels begin declining as you approach menopause. These inevitable hormonal changes can lead to unpleasant symptoms such as night sweats and mood swings. But Nurse Practitioner Mandy Cotten has encouraging news. “Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) can help. BHRT uses hormones from natural sources with the ability to closely match the chemical makeup of your own hormones. This helps decrease side effects and allows for a effective symptom relief.”

Mandy loves providing this good option to her male and female patients and then walking with them toward a better, more vibrant life and empowering them to take their health into their own hands. Living Magazine readers consistently thank her by voting her “Best Hormone Replacement” in her area.

“While synthetic oral hormones must be metabolized through the liver first and converted to a different hormone—structure sometimes causing the opposite effect than what’s desired— BHRT enters your body, goes directly to the receptor site, and achieves the desired results” Mandy said. “Hormone treatments can be tailored to your specific needs and administered through your choice of creams, patches, pills, or pellets.”

BHRT can balance your mood, improve sleep, reduce brain fog, decrease hot flashes, alleviates vaginal dryness, increase stamina and energy, increase muscle mass, decrease fat mass, and increase libido, as well as provide heart protection, bone protection, brain protection, and enhance sexual desire with patients typically noticing an improvement in seven-to-10 days after starting treatment.” Mandy begins with initial extensive lab testing, then tests again four to six weeks making adjustments when indicated.

Mandy also consults with patients about proper thyroid health, imperative to overall health. “The thyroid is involved in multiple aspects of health including metabolism, temperature regulation, mood, and cardiac function, so it’s imperative to find a provider who will evaluate the whole picture,” Mandy said. “I assess the Free T3 and Free T4 and evaluate for antibodies against the thyroid looking for autoimmune dysfunction causing any thyroid problems. Patients with low thyroid symptoms can have labs that appear normal, requiring additional testing such as looking at a reverse T3.”

Mandy Cotten has performed over 30,000 pellet procedures, averaging 300 a month. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and her Bachelor of Science of Nursing (BSN) both from Texas Christian University and worked in labor and delivery at John Peter Smith hospital for five years before completing her Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Loyola University in New Orleans in 2015 and becoming certified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) as a Family Nurse Practitioner.

“I’m blessed to do what I love every day, partnering with my patients, educating them, and providing them with the best care possible,” she said. When not on the job, Mandy enjoys spending time with her husband, Casey, and their children.