Hormones are essential chemical messengers that regulate many functions in the human body. When hormone levels decline, people may experience unpleasant symptoms that negatively impact quality of life. While some hormonal decline is natural with aging, more severe deficiencies can occur at any age due to medical conditions, stress, poor nutrition, and other factors.
There are effective medical treatments available to restore optimal hormone levels and relieve deficiency symptoms. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) utilizes customized prescriptions of lab-made hormones that are molecularly identical to the body’s own hormones. This comprehensive guide will provide information on common hormone deficiencies, symptoms, diagnosis, BHRT options, and the benefits of undergoing treatment at a specialized hormone therapy clinic.
Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone responsible for maintaining muscle mass, bone density, sex drive, energy levels and more. Low testosterone, clinically known as hypogonadism, becomes increasingly common in aging men. Blood tests are needed for diagnosis as symptoms may develop gradually.
Decreased muscle mass and strength
Increased body fat and difficulty losing weight
Low libido, erectile dysfunction
Fatigue, low motivation and/or depression
Poor concentration and memory
Loss of facial, body, and pubic hair
Hot flashes, sweats
Sleep disturbances, insomnia
If left untreated, low testosterone levels put men at greater risk for developing: Cardiovascular disease Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome Osteoporosis Alzheimer’s disease Premature death
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is the most effective treatment for low testosterone. Delivery methods include injections, gels, pellets, patches and oral medications. Bioidentical testosterone precisely matches the molecular structure of the testosterone produced by the body, avoiding side effects caused by synthetic formulas.
Customized BHRT treatment plans are tailored to the patient’s unique hormone profile, lifestyle factors, preferences and treatment goals. Follow up testing helps optimize dosing to restore testosterone levels to an age-appropriate range.
Estrogen and progesterone are the major female sex hormones. Their production decreases around perimenopause and menopause, resulting in menopausal hormone deficiency. This usually begins in a woman’s 40s and 50s as the ovaries gradually stop functioning.
Blood and saliva tests help diagnose deficiencies. The wide variety of menopause symptoms may greatly hinder one’s quality of life.
Hot flashes and night sweats
Vaginal dryness and discomfort
Insomnia
Mood changes like anxiety or depression
Memory lapses, difficulty concentrating
Low libido
Weight gain
Joint pain and muscular discomfort
Examples include:
Cardiovascular disease
Osteoporosis
Urinary tract infections
High cholesterol or blood pressure
Higher dementia risk
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) supplements the body with estrogen, progesterone or both to effectively treat menopausal symptoms and promote long-term health.Bioidentical hormones such as estradiol and progesterone closely match what the body produces naturally.
Experienced health providers develop customized regimens and monitor progress through follow up testing. The optimal balance of hormones varies amongst individuals, so an adjustable regimen tailored to the person yields the best outcome. Starting HRT around perimenopause helps support a smooth transition.
Because hormone deficiency symptoms can be vague, testing helps provide objective data to guide an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. Blood tests, saliva tests, symptom questionnaires, and physical exams allow for comprehensive evaluation of an individual’s hormone levels and overall health. Repeat testing also monitors patient progress on HRT.
Some of the key lab tests check levels of:
Test results offer clinical data to diagnose a specific hormone deficiency, or combinations of deficiencies. Testing enables health providers to determine the optimal dosage and delivery method of bioidentical hormones for the individual.
Ongoing lab testing helps monitor patient progress, confirm hormone levels are within ideal ranges for the patient’s age, and indicate if dosage adjustments may be beneficial.
1. Relieves Unpleasant Menopausal and Andropausal Symptoms - BHRT restores hormone balance to eliminate issues like hot flashes, night sweats, low libido, erectile dysfunction, vaginal dryness, anxiety, fatigue, insomnia and more.
2. Reduces Risk of Age-Related Diseases - Balanced hormone levels strengthen the immune system and lower susceptibility to certain cancers, osteoporosis, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and other illnesses.
3. Enhances Overall Wellbeing - Eliminating deficiency symptoms and optimizing energy, sleep quality, emotional wellbeing and mental sharpness greatly boosts one’s daily quality of life.
4. Rejuvenating Benefits - Patients look and feel more youthful with improved skin texture, thicker hair, easy weight management and increased muscle tone.
5. Bioidentical Hormones Are Safer - The identical chemical structures of these hormones perfectly fit the body’s hormone receptors, reducing side effects compared to synthetic formulas.
Unlike conventional hormone therapy, bioidentical hormones are custom-compounded to match the molecular structure of hormones naturally made in the human body. This allows the body to recognize and utilize them more efficiently, potentially reducing side effects. More research is still needed to fully understand the risks and benefits.
Hormone balance is complex and individualized patient care is essential. At specialized clinics like Optimal Hormone Wellness Center, experienced hormone therapy doctors offer cutting edge testing, comprehensive treatment plans using bioidentical hormones, and ongoing patient monitoring for optimal outcomes. Some key advantages include:
In both men and women, imbalanced hormone levels greatly impact overall health and quality of life as we age. Diagnosing and properly treating deficiencies with bioidentical HRT provides patients with renewed energy, youthful vitality, emotional wellbeing, lower disease risk, and an enhanced enjoyment of life. Optimal Hormone Wellness Center offers customized care, innovative therapies and holistic guidance to help patients achieve their health goals now and in the future. Contact us today to learn more and take charge of your health.
