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Appointments
Are you taking new patients? Yes. Simply call our office for an appointment. 770-475-0077
Are you seeing men for hormone issues? Yes. In addition to female hormone issues and office gynecology, Dr. Goldman and his staff are now seeing men with hormone, aging and thyroid issues.
Is Dr. Goldman a regular gynecologist? Yes. Dr. Goldman has been in Obstetric and Gynecologic practice since 1975. He delivered over 7,000 babies and performed Gynecologic surgery including laparoscopic and laser surgery.
Do you deliver babies, too? Dr. Goldman ended his Obstetric practice in 2005 and now limits his practice to office gynecology, hormone management, holistic medicine, menopause management and minor surgical procedures.
Does Dr. Goldman take insurance? We are on many insurance plans. Click here for the insurance plans we accept. If unsure, please check with your insurance provider or call the office. 770-475-0077
I live out of state. Can I receive your care by email or phone? To give appropriate, individualized care, Dr. Goldman feels that he needs to meet each patient face to face. For an appointment call 770-475-0077. Enjoy Atlanta while you are here.
What about telephone follow-up visits? We can do follow up visits over the phone. Follow-up blood work can be drawn close to where you live.
Can you bill my insurance for telephone consults? No. No insurance companies pay for telephone or email consultations. You may charge telephone consults to your Visa or MasterCard.
Call our office for an appointment today at 770-475-0077.
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Bioidentical Hormones
Are Bioidentical Hormones made from plants? Yes. All US manufacturers of the bioidentical ovary and adrenal hormones are made from soy or wild yam.
Are Bioidentical Hormones FDA approved? Yes. These hormones are manufactured at FDA approved facilities and shipped to individual compounding pharmacies.
Where do I get Bioidentical Hormones? There are many compounding pharmacies now open all around the country. Dr. Goldman has assembled a list. There are mail order companies that will ship anywhere. Private compounding pharmacies can also be found at their web site which has a locator option. (www.iacprx.org)
Are Bioidentical Hormones expensive? They cost about the same or less than many commercial medications.
Will my insurance pay for compounded medications? Check with your carrier. Some do and some do not. Some insurers now have their own, mail in, compounding pharmacies.
For more information on Bioidentical hormones, click here
If you need help with bioidentical hormones, call us today for an appointment at 770-475-0077.
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Holistic Medicine
Is a Holistic doctor a regular doctor? Many Alternative practitioners use the term Holistic Physician but in the US only doctors trained at an approved Medical School and licensed to practice medicine may use the letters “MD” after their name. Dr. Goldman also received specialty training and board certification in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Is there a word for a regular doctor? Standard medicine taught in medical school in the US and other western countries is called Allopathic Medicine. The word Allopathic means Against Disease. It is no coincidence that most of the drugs we use begin with the word “Anti” as in Antihistamine, Antibiotic, Antifungal, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-cancer, Antidepressants, and Antihypertensive. The list goes on. Treatment is aimed at countering symptoms and fighting diseases. This medical model is one of declaring war on the disease. We have all heard of the War on Cancer, the War on Drugs, the War on Heart disease, the War on Diabetes and more recently, the War on Obeasity.
How is Holistic Medicine different? Holistic physicians seek to correct the cause of disease. It is a peacemaker’s approach. War tends to produce casualties. Many powerful drugs have powerful side effects. If possible, changing our life style and seeking balance is much safer.
How did Dr. Goldman become a Holistic Physician? Dr. Goldman has done extensive study in many complimentary and alternative medical practices. He has taken courses of study through the American Holistic Medical Association (www.holisticmedicine.org) and is certified by the American Board of Holistic Medicine. (www.holisticboard.org)
How is Holistic Medicine different from Complementary and Alternative Medicine? Many C&A practitioners concentrate on a single type of therapy. Some reject modern American, Allopathic medicine altogether. As a Holistic Physician, Dr. Goldman is aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the Allopathic system as well as many of the Complementary and Alternative therapies available. He recommends therapies and referrals that he feels will most benefit the individual patient. Holistic medicine is inclusionary, not exclusionary.
If you need help with Holistic Medicine, call us today for an appointment at 770-475-0077. return to page top
Menopausal Practice
How did Dr. Goldman become a Menopause specialist? Dr. Goldman has always had a great interest in hormone balance. As a Baby Boomer himself, shifting from delivering babies to Menopause management was natural. He joined the North American Menopause Society (www.menopause.org) and became a Certified Menopause Practitioner.
I have looked at the NAMS website and they don’t seem to be in favor of Bio-identical Hormones. Why is that? Unfortunately, most of the leaders of the Society are purely allopathic physicians and are financially connected to major pharmaceutical companies. They are not aware of the benefits of properly given bioidentical hormones. Dr. Goldman feels, though, that it is better to stay connected to main stream medicine and try to effect change from the inside, rather that separating himself from that community.
If you need help with Menopause issues, call us today for an appointment at 770-475-0077. return to page top
Menopause Symptoms
How do I know if I am in the Menopause? Symptoms can vary from woman to woman. By testing hormone levels, Dr. Goldman can determine your menopause status.
I had a hysterectomy years ago but kept my ovaries. Now I am having symptoms. Am I menopausal? In this situation, with no periods as a guide, hormone testing is especially important to determine your exact hormone status and needs.
I had an Endometrial Ablation Procedure and get no periods, but now I am having symptoms. Am I menopausal? In this situation, with no periods as a guide, hormone testing is especially important to determine your exact hormone status and needs .
For more information: (links to pamphlets) Why to take HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy), HRT issues and methods, and Unopposed Estrogen.
If you need help with Menopause issues, call us today for an appointment at 770-475-0077. return to page top
Male Hormone Needs, Andropause
How did Dr. Goldman become an Andropause specialist? Many physicians who utilize Bioidentical hormones are general practitioners and most of the courses for physicians include instruction in hormone therapy for both men and women. Dr. Goldman, of course, has always been interested in maintaining his own health and vitality and for years has been closely following advances in male hormone therapy. He has been asked by many of his patients to treat their husbands and companions using the same techniques that he applies to women. After significant study, Dr. Goldman has now added men to his practice.
How old does a man have to be to consider male hormone supplementation? There is no specific age. There are known healthy levels of Testosterone and DHEA that gradually change with age. A man in his 30s or 40s will usually have higher levels than an older man, but they may still be low for his age. As is generally true in Holistic Medicine, the therapy needs to fit the specific individual patient. Hormone testing can be done to determine if a man’s symptoms are due to hormone deficiency. If so, treatment is available.
Are there other treatments for men with problems? As in all Holistic medicine, diet, exercise, life style, stress and habits all have to be considered. It is possible that improvement can be achieved without needing additional hormones.
If you need help with Male Hormone Needs, Andropause, call us today for an appointment at 770-475-0077
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Hormone Testing
What kind of hormone testing do you do? We usually do blood tests.
Will my insurance cover the testing? Blood work is usually covered by insurance.
How often will I need to be re-tested? Testing is repeated in two to three months after a change in medication, form or dosage. Once stable and doing well, re-evaluation a couple of times a year is usually sufficient.
I read that Salivary Tests are the best. Should I have those? It is Dr. Goldman’s experience that blood tests are more accurate than salivary tests for estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and thyroid. Pituitary hormones are not available in saliva, and they are an important part of the work-up. Additionally, because salivary testing is not done by the major commercial laboratories, insurance companies rarely pay for salivary tests.
Does Dr. Goldman ever test saliva? Cortisol testing is accurate in both blood and saliva, but must be done at multiple times of the day. Salivary testing is more practical in evaluating Cortisol and Adrenal Gland function.
What about Urine tests? 24 hour urine collection tests have the advantage of averaging all times of the day. The disadvantage is that they measure only what is excreted by the kidneys, which may not reflect hormone balance in the blood. They are used for some special situations.
If you need help with Hormone Testing, call us today for an appointment at 770-475-0077. return to page top
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Does every woman need Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)? Each person must decide what they are comfortable with. Dr. Goldman does not try to force any patient into therapies they don’t want or are afraid of. Become educated about your body, what the various hormones do, and decide for yourself.
Why should women take Hormone Therapy? Relieving hot flashes and regulating bleeding are immediate benefits. Hormone support of bone, heart, skin, brain and vagina reduces many of the long term, harmful effects of aging.
When should I start on Hormones? As women age, your hormones do not all decline at once. Progesterone is lost first and may be needed a decade or more before menopause. Estrogen is lost second. Testosterone is the last to decline and, for some women, stays naturally high into old age. HRT means just that, we replace only what is needed.
Is it OK if I just wait till my symptoms are worse? Waiting to start hormones ten, twenty or thirty years after menopause began, may be too late to get the benefits and may increase risks of heart attack and stroke. Estrogen’s benefits to bone, heart, skin, brain and vagina are mostly preventative. Hormones cannot fix or restore what has been long lost or damaged.
How long will I be on the Hormones? As Americans age, we are all in an ongoing study. Women and men are living longer, are more active, are more sexually active, and more vital into old age than ever before. We will have to decide about our lifestyles and medications from year to year.
Will the prescription always remain the same? In general, older women are maintained at lower hormone levels than younger women, but it depends on individual comfort and need.
For more information: (links to pamphlets) HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy), HRT issues and methods, Bone Health, Weight Control, WHI - The Women's Health Initiative, Holistic Male Health and Why Should Men Take Hormone Supplementation.
If you need help with Hormone Replacement Therapy, call us today for an appointment at 770-475-0077.
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Fibroids of the Uterus
Will Hormone Balance help my fibroids? Fibroid growth is frequently due to Estrogen excess. Progesterone and other therapies can frequently control excess bleeding and reduce further growth.
Will my fibroids shrink? Only slightly. Bleeding and pain can usually be controlled, and further growth avoided but fibroids don’t usually shrink until menopause.
If you need help with Fibroids, call us today for an appointment at 770-475-0077.
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Bleeding Problems
Can you regulate my cycle? Most irregular bleeding is due to hormone imbalance. It can usually be corrected without surgery.
Can you stop heavy periods and clots? Most heavy bleeding and clots are due to hormone imbalance. It can usually be corrected without surgery.
I am scheduled for a hysterectomy. Should I have the surgery first, and then see you? Please see us first. We can probably correct the problem without surgery. Keeping you in hormone balance is easier if you still have a uterus.
I am scheduled for an Endometrial Ablation. Should I have the surgery and then see you? Please see us first. We can probably correct the problem without surgery. Keeping you in balance is easier if your Uterus still functions.
For more information: (links to pamphlets) Unopposed Estrogen or Progesterone use for cycle regulation.
If you need help with Bleeding Problems, call us today for an appointment at 770-475-0077. return to page top
PMS
Can you help my PMS? PMS responds well to bioidentical progesterone given at the proper point in the cycle. There are several ways to administer progesterone.
If you need help with PMS, call us today for an appointment at 770-475-0077.
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Migraines
I now am getting Migraines. Could it be my hormones? Some young girls and many women over thirty-five have migraines. Our experience is that proper hormone balance eliminates migraines in about 25% of women and significantly reduces migraines in another 50%. The remaining 25% have migraines not related to hormones and must be treated symptomatically with other medications.
If you need help with Migraines, call us today for an appointment at 770-475-0077.
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Weight Gain
I exercise and try to diet but lately all my weight is going to my middle. What can I do? Hormone imbalance, especially unopposed estrogen, leads to fat depositing around the waist. Proper hormone balance reduces carbohydrate craving, enhances thyroid and makes weight control easier. For more information about weight control, click here.
If you need help with Weight Gain, call us today for an appointment at 770-475-0077.
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