Hormones are our invisible puppet masters pulling the strings in our bodies to control weight, mood, joint pain, bone density, energy, libido, and sleep which are vital important factors in our daily lives. Increased daily stressors, shift work employment and overt aging dramatically decrease hormone production. As our hormones subtly change, we weave false narratives to explain away our dwindling faculties when sometimes part of the fluidity of life is also our declining hormones.
When women reach their late 30s, hormones are already changing which can explain heavier menstrual cycles, lack of sleep, low libido and brain fog/mental clarity issues. Perimenopause can be a time of great stress when these hormones flicker and can cause one to not feel your best and feel out of sorts.
Menopause is defined as the absence of a menstrual cycle for 1 year, but during this time hot flashes, night sweats, lack of sleep, low sexual desire, and vaginal dryness appears in full force which brings many issues to our lives like chronic infections/urinary tract issues and painful intercourse.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) can restore the body’s hormones to physiologically normal levels necessary for optimal functioning. BHRT can restore energy, stamina, and sex drive while improving concentration and general quality of life. These bioidentical hormones are a more natural approach to hormone replacement therapy than traditional synthetic hormones.
Bioidentical hormones are sourced from natural plants and precisely mirror the molecular structure of the hormones your body produces naturally. They’re a perfect match and virtually identical to human hormones.
On the other hand, synthetic hormones, like Premarin for instance, are derived from pregnant mares’ urine. Equine hormones differ significantly from human ones. Research has shown that these differences can cause side effects in our bodies that natural hormones do not produce. Bioidentical hormones closely resemble human hormones at a molecular level, hence they’re use is often referred to as “natural hormone replacement.”
Bioidentical hormones are sourced from natural plants and precisely mirror the molecular structure of the hormones your body produces naturally. They’re a perfect match and virtually identical to human hormones.
On the other hand, synthetic hormones, like Premarin for instance, are derived from pregnant mares’ urine. These horse hormones differ significantly from human hormones. Research has revealed that their functioning is distinct from human hormones, leading to serious side effects that don’t occur with our natural hormones. Bioidentical hormones closely resemble human hormones at a molecular level, hence they’re use is often referred to as “natural hormone replacement.”
Pellet: Hormone pellets are about the size of a cooked grain of rice and are inserted subcutaneously into the body in a quick, simple, in-office procedure. These pellets will gradually be absorbed, dispersing hormones throughout the body. Hormone replacement patients can receive as few as two to three bioidentical hormone pellet insertions per year. The hormone is available when their bodies need it, and it’s a simple procedure done right in the provider’s office.
Other methods include: troches which are small wax lozenges that are placed between the cheek and gum and are dissolved over a few minutes daily. Oral pills and applications of creams and patches are other delivery methods. You and your provider will determine the best method for desired outcome.
In short, the duration of hormone therapy depends on how long you wish to maintain its benefits. Discontinuing HRT not only ends symptom relief, but also exposes you to potential risks. Menopause is associated with a higher risk of severe health conditions such as heart diseases, strokes, various cancers, osteoporosis, dementia, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s. The context of your decision plays a crucial role.
The timeline for experiencing results can vary based on individual factors. Some individuals notice changes within a few weeks of starting Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT), while for others, it might take a couple of months. Factors such as your body’s response, current hormone levels, diet, sleep, stress, and the specific symptoms you’re addressing, can influence how quickly you’ll observe the effects of BHRT. Patience is key, as the process is gradual and tailored to your unique physiology. Regular communication with your healthcare provider will help track progress and make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan along the journey.
In most cases, no. Unfortunately, the current statistic shows a lag of 17-23 years for traditional medicine to catch up with current medical advancements. As a result, the majority of insurance companies don’t view HRT as a medical necessity, which is absurd considering the overwhelming amount of research. Most FSA/HSA plans can be utilized to help offset the cost.
Andropause is the decline in levels of the male hormone testosterone that occurs with aging. As a man ages, his body naturally makes less testosterone. In fact, by the time a man is in his mid-forties, testosterone levels can be down by 40%. Lifestyle factors such as excessive stress, weight gain and lack of exercise can lower levels even further – impacting stamina, drive and virility.
Men tend to notice a subtle downward shift in strength and energy first, followed by lack of enthusiasm for life’s challenges like work and competition. A man may also lose interest in sex.
There is no universal ideal. Our individuality means our responses vary. While there are some general benchmarks, the truth is, studies lack in pinpointing the exact upper limit. In a general sense, we typically find that men begin to respond at the upper limit of normal. But determining appropriate personalized levels involves assessing comprehensive safety parameters, which is why an extensive lab test is essential. Beyond numbers, symptoms also play a crucial role in this determination.
While undergoing treatment, yes, your body’s natural production will pause. This pause results from the introduction of a “surplus” of testosterone through treatment. However, upon cessation of treatment, your body will eventually start producing again to a certain degree with age factors in play. If considering a family, you will need to discuss this with your health care provider to learn about other options to help your body produce more of its own testosterone when considering replacement therapy.
Blood tests come with distinct “reference ranges”. But understanding how these ranges are established is crucial. Particularly for serum testosterone reference ranges, the norms don’t necessarily account for age adjustments. This means that men spanning ages 18 to 80 are lumped together, creating a broad spectrum that’s labeled as “normal”.
However, we hold a different perspective. We believe a 30-year-old’s testosterone level shouldn’t align with the average 70-year-old’s and be classified as “normal” or “low normal”. Numerous studies attest that testosterone levels shouldn’t drastically plummet solely due to aging. This realization reshapes the narrative: for those men experiencing testosterone deficiency symptoms with what’s considered “borderline levels”, testosterone treatment is often clinically sound and recommended. It’s about addressing symptoms and quality of life rather than conforming to a one-size-fits-all reference range.
Sometimes it does. Insurance will not cover bio-identical replacement therapy, but sometimes it will cover synthetic testosterone cypionate injections.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) can restore the body’s hormones to physiologically normal levels necessary for optimal functioning. BHRT can restore energy, stamina, and sex drive while improving concentration and general quality of life. These bioidentical hormones are a more natural approach to hormone replacement therapy than traditional synthetic hormones.
Pellet: Hormone pellets are inserted subcutaneously into the body in a quick, simple, in-office procedure. These pellets will gradually be absorbed, dispersing hormones throughout the body. Hormone replacement patients can receive as few as two-three bioidentical hormone pellet insertions per year. The hormone is available when their bodies need it, and it’s a simple procedure done right in the provider’s office.
Other methods include: synthetic testosterone cypionate injections one to two times weekly, and compounded cream applications is another delivery method option. You and your provider will determine the best method for desired outcome.
