Discover the Medicinal Value of Combining IV-C Therapy and Hormone Therapy in Urogynecology

Intravenous vitamin C (IV-C) therapy has grown to be a key area of interest in urogynecological care due to its numerous therapeutic properties. Some studies already show that high concentrations of vitamin C may help with chronic pelvic pain and urinary tract infections. However, IV-C therapy may also be valuable as a conjunctive treatment option when combined with other therapies used in urogynecology. In fact, combining IV-C therapy and hormone therapy may be beneficial.

The Coyle Institute, led by urogynecology specialist Dr. Michael Coyle, takes an innovative approach to treating women’s health conditions, exploring all promising treatments to provide patients with the best possible outcomes. IV-C therapy has the potential to play a vital role as a conjunctive treatment option for urogynecological conditions, including when combined with hormone therapy.

Understanding IV-C Therapy and Hormone Therapy

IV-C therapy is simply delivering the essential vitamin to the bloodstream intravenously to cause higher peak concentrations of the nutrient in the blood. Orally consumed vitamin C supplements only lead to a low range of the vitamin in the system, but IV-C therapy expands that range to a higher, potentially therapeutic level. 

While IV-C therapy has been around since the 70s, more recently, researchers have broadened their understanding of this type of treatment. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of the vitamin at peak concentrations are currently being used to target certain illnesses and enhance health. 

Hormone therapy (often referred to as hormone replacement therapy or HRT) is a form of therapy used to replace reproductive hormones like estrogen and progesterone. 

The Role of IV-C Therapy and Hormone Therapy in Urogynecology

IV-C therapy may be beneficial for several urogynecological conditions, even though the research is in its early stages. As noted earlier, vitamin C carries exceptionally noteworthy properties commonly associated with targeting certain conditions. A few examples of conditions that may be positively impacted by IV-C therapy either alone or in conjunction with other treatments include: 

• Chronic pelvic pain (CPP)
• Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) 
• Interstitial cystitis (IC) 
• Pelvic organ prolapses 

Hormone replacement therapy or bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) may be recommended for moderate to severe symptoms associated with menopause or hormonal deficiencies. For many women, BHRT helps with symptoms of menopause or hormonal deficiencies like hot flashes and low libido. However, HRT may also be a viable treatment for other urogynecological conditions that tend to occur earlier in life, like endometriosis, IC or pelvic pain. 

A Look at the Important Synergy Between IV-C Therapy and Hormone Therapy

Combined IV-C therapy and hormone therapy may prove to be beneficial for certain women’s health conditions due to their postulated synergy within the human body. Vitamin C supports numerous metabolic and chemical processes, including hormone levels. Some animal studies have even shown that vitamin C enhances hormone levels in certain reproductive organs like the uterus. Likewise, proper hormone levels play a role in how the body metabolizes some nutrients. 

Further, both BHRT and IV-C therapy propose some similar benefits. For example, BHRT may help deter tissue degeneration after menopause, and IV-C therapy may enhance the natural tissue repair processes. Therefore, combining the two treatments conjunctively to target certain conditions may create an enhanced treatment plan with a heightened probability of successful outcomes. For instance, IV-C paired with HRT may further enhance tissue repair and healing with organ prolapse related to tissue degeneration caused by low estrogen levels. Likewise, IV-C and HRT may be more capable of supporting hormonal balance than HRT alone. 

How We Use IV-C Therapy and Hormone Therapy at Coyle Institute

Coyle Institute has embraced the complementary support that IV-C therapy can provide when it comes to urogynecological health. Additionally, we have witnessed firsthand how this complementary treatment can benefit patients. Therefore, we commonly recommend IV-C with HRT as a more comprehensive treatment regimen. 

The Potential Benefits of Combined IV-C and Hormone Treatment

Combined IV-C therapy and HRT may provide respectable benefits for treating various gynecological issues, although more research is warranted to make definitive claims. The compounded approach may:

• Accelerate healing time after urogynecological surgery 
• Improve symptoms contributed to low estrogen levels like sleep disruptions and frequent urination even greater than HRT alone 
• Provide better pain relief than HRT alone for conditions like endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease 
• Better deter issues with tissue deterioration due to low estrogen levels 

Discuss IV-C and Other Complementary Therapies With Coyle Institute 

Combined IV-C therapy and hormone therapy may prove to be highly valuable for some patients. Coyle Institute strives to use the most innovative and effective treatment modalities for all women while still taking a patient-centered approach. If you would like to discuss IV-C therapy to enhance hormone therapy, call 850-637-8258 to schedule an appointment.