Bioidentical Hormones
The term Bioidentical means that the hormones are chemically and molecularly identical to those that your body produces. In addition they are natural, coming from a plant source. Bioidentical hormones mimic your body’s own as they are identical to yours.
One of the advantages of Bioidentical hormones is that they are custom-made for you and your specific hormone imbalances and symptoms. Both women and men benefit from these custom doses as one shoe does not fit all. Each one of us processes hormones in a different manner. Bioidentical hormones are designed to mimic hormones made by your body’s glands, which in turn actually helps people that are having hormone imbalances. This is often the case for women experiencing perimenopause or menopause or men experiencing low testosterone.
Progressive hormone changes can affect many systems and functions in your body and the slightest imbalance commonly causes symptoms that interfere with your day. This is why hormone replacement therapy has become such a mainstay for many women and men.
Why do we need to consider Bioidentical Hormone Replacment?
By age 40, testosterone is reduced up to 80% in men. There is more estrogen in foods due to excessive use of plastics, also lowering natural testosterone levels. Women also experience hormonal changes and their estrogen levels fall by 85% by age 50; progesterone levels to almost nothing. Women with early menopuase have a 2.2x higher chance of a heart attack in 20 years.
Traditional hormone therapy is one size fits all and does not always consider treatments needed to optimize your levels. Note however, that bioidentical hormones are not FDA approved because they are individually mixed recipes that have not been tested to prove the active ingredients are absorbed properly for predictive salivary and blood levels. That is why it matters who they are obtained from. Our practice uses only FDA cleared and inspected pharmacies to provide you with the most effective and cleanest product. Despite this they are a very popular form of treatment for many of the symptoms arising in perimenopause, menopause, andropause, and other hormone imbalances.
Common complaints are:
Night sweats
Vaginal dryness
Memory loss
Feeling foggy with thoughts
Mood changes
Loss of energy
Loss of muscle mass
Fatigue
Weight gain,
Problem sleeping
Anxiety, Depression
Erectile dysfunction
Loss of libido
Replacing and balancing low hormones levels is our goal in bioidentical hormone therapy in order to improve quality of life. Once hormone levels are balanced most people typically see a significant improvement in overall symptoms and quality of life.
So how common is bioidentical hormone replacement use today?
They have been used in in Europe since the 1930s. Since, they have gained popularity in the United States for a variety of perimenopausal and menopausal issues, along with male hormonal imbalances such as low testosterone. They comes in the form of pellets, creams and oral versions. Pellets are popular as they deliver a steady stream of hormones made unique to your physiology.
How long does it take to work?
It varies amongst users but you should start feeling relief in a few weeks with maximal effects noted around 3 months. It depends on which form is used. Lab work is required regularly and prior to any pellet insertion.
Who is not a good candidate is anyone with:
Blood clotting disorders
Heart or cardiovascular disease,
Breast cancer or stroke.
What if you are suffering?
If you suffer from hormonal symptoms, consider scheduling a medical consultation to rule out other causes for your symptoms. If a true hormone imbalance is the cause, we can provide a treatment plan that is right for you for a better quality of life.
