As we age, hormone levels can become unbalanced, resulting in undesirable changes. Our protocols for male and female hormone replacement and DHEA restoration therapy share knowledge concerning bioidentical hormone replacement, which is lacking among many mainstream physicians.
Frequently Asked Hormonal Health/Balance Questions
1. What are general symptoms of sex hormone imbalance?
“Hormonal imbalance” typically connotes low testosterone in men, and low progesterone or estrogen (or an imbalance between the two) in women. For men, low testosterone can manifest as decreased libido and energy and depressed mood; declining muscle mass may occur in cases of marked testosterone deficiency but is less common. For women, hormonal changes that occur during the perimenopausal period often associate with symptoms such as hot flashes, depression, and vaginal dryness. The menopausal transition happens, on average, around age 51. Some women may experience symptoms potentially related to hormonal imbalance when they are younger. A hormone panel blood test can help determine if a hormonal imbalance is present in both men and women.
2. What are some natural estrogen replacements?
For menopausal women, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy may help ease some symptoms linked to declining estrogen levels. Other women benefit from supplementation with phytoestrogens like those found in Siberian rhubarb, soy, hops and Norway spruce. Women with a history of hormone-related cancer should consult a qualified physician before beginning bioidentical HRT or supplementing with phytoestrogens.
3. What are the benefits/risks of testosterone replacement therapy?
The effects of testosterone replacement may depend on the degree of baseline insufficiency and health status. For men with markedly low testosterone levels, testosterone replacement may help mitigate symptoms caused by testosterone insufficiency, such as lack of energy, decreased libido, and depression. Among obese men with low testosterone and diabetes, testosterone replacement helped improve several metabolic parametes. Similar findings have been reported for men with metabolic syndrome. But testosterone therapy is not risk free. For instance, it has been linked to increased coronary artery plaque volume and some other potential cardiovascular risks, but more data are needed to clearly establish how testosterone replacement influences cardiovascular outcomes. Testosterone replacement may also adversely affect prostate health, blood clot risk, and cholesterol levels. Testosterone replacement therapy should always be under the supervision of a qualified physician.
4. What are Bioidentical Hormones?
Bioidentical hormone replacement can treat symptoms you are experiencing related to menopause or a hormonal imbalance. If you are suffering from depression, fatigue, insomnia or weight gain or just don’t feel your best, we can help you determine whether these symptoms are due to a hormone imbalance that we can treat with HRT.
Bioidentical hormones are all natural, and your body cannot tell the difference in bioidenticals and the hormones it naturally produces.
Bioidentical Hormone Treatment Options
Some of the hormones that your body might not be producing sufficiently that can be replaced with bioidenticals are progesterone, estrogen and testosterone. Once you start on a course of hormone replacement, a doctor can monitor you carefully to see how the hormones are working and whether you need an adjustment based on your symptoms or other indicators.
This monitoring can help our physicians stay on top of whether your dosage is right and/or change your treatment plan as needed.
How Bioidenticals Help You
When your hormone levels are too low, you might find that you no longer enjoy sex as much as you used to or that you lack the energy that you’d normally have. There are different types of hormone replacement therapy that may restore your hormone levels. We can explore options for improving your health using hormone replacement therapy with bioidenticals or other approaches.
Bioidentical hormone replacement can offer a number of other benefits as well, including reducing the likelihood of developing cataracts or diabetes. It may even improve your skin elasticity and get rid of your wrinkles.
Our team is here to listen to and understand your health care concerns. Contact us to discuss hormone replacement and any other health and wellness issues you may have.
We want to make sure that you have the opportunity to feel your best.
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