HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY (HRT)
Hormone Balancing
Hormone imbalance is inevitable.If like many Americans you are under a lot of stress, that will lead to hormone imbalance.One of the hallmarks of getting older is a decline in hormone levels and thus imbalance of hormones. Production of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid, DHEA, melatonin, human growth hormone, and other hormones tapers off after we reach our 20s and 30s. Age-related hormonal deficiencies contribute to the signs and symptoms of aging. In women, the decline in hormone levels may be easier to notice due to hot flashes or increased premenstrual symptoms. In men, it can be more subtle and easier to dismiss as just a normal part of aging. That is why it is important to consider evaluating your hormone levels as part of your health evaluation.
Hormones are powerful chemicals that help regulate may biological functions. They work like a symphony so they need to be in balance. The imbalances that often occur due to stress, age, disease, or medications can be measured then treated to achieve healthier balance of hormones.Recent research and studies suggest that balancing hormones (using bio-identical hormones) may help slow down aging and keep you on track for long-term health and wellness.
Synthetic vs Natural Hormone Replacement
Synthetic hormones that are often still used in conventional medicine are foreign chemicals with many serious side effects. The Women’s Health Initiative Program, a large research study on synthetic estrogen and progestins was halted three years early due to an increased risk of breast cancer and heart attacks. The obvious option is to use the same hormones that the body makes: bio-identical hormones.
Bio-identical hormones are synthesized to be structurally identical to their natural counterparts. For these reasons, bio-identical hormones potentially offer the safest, most natural options for those undergoing hormone replacement therapies.
It should be noted that 90% of postmenopausal women who develop breast cancer have never had any hormone replacement. In her book, HRT: The Answers, Pam Smith,MD writes that prescription natural hormone therapy may actually decrease your risk of developing cancer.
Our Personalized Approach to Bio-identical Hormone Replacement
Each person is unique and how you respond to Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is uniquely you and based on genetics, stress, nutrition and health status. Assessment begins with a comprehensive history and physical and includes appropriate blood test as well as saliva test to measure your hormones. Based on history and test results, a prescription is written for the hormones indicated to be made up by a compounding pharmacist.
Conditions where Bio-identical Hormones may be helpful:
Menopause/PMS
This is one of the more common conditions for which hormone replacement is considered. During menopause, ovarian function ceases, depriving the body of estrogen and progesterone, both of which are vital for helping balance many aspects of physical, mental, and sexual health. Estrogen replacement therapies are intended to alleviate many of the common symptoms, such as hot flashes, mood disturbances, and the atrophy of uterine and vaginal tissues. In addition, the supplementation of estrogen and progesterone can help ward off heart disease, osteoporosis and reduce risk of Alzheimer Disease. These treatments not only extend a woman’s life, but improve the quality of her health and well-being during the later years.
HRT can also be quite helpful in reducing the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). As progesterone and estrogen levels fluctuate, low progesterone relative to estrogen or “estrogen dominance” presents as PMS with numerous symptoms just before the menses such as anxiety, depression, mood swings, headache, acne, breast tenderness, and other discomforts. While many of these symptoms may be relieved through nutritional modification or herbal remedies, use of progesterone can be very effective.
Testosterone for Women (BIO-Identical)
Healthy women naturally produce small amounts in the ovaries. It helps control a women’s libido and also may be known to enhance the functions of estrogen. Testosterone for women is usually bio-identical, given in a cream applied to skin. Benefits include:
- Enhancement of sexual drive
- Relief of menopausal symptoms
- Restoration of energy
- Strengthening of bone
Andropause
In men, levels of the hormone testosterone naturally begin to decline after age forty. Unlike with menopause in women, production of this sex hormone does continue, but some men experience noticeable changes in their more masculine traits. Beard growth, muscle tone, and libido may all become reduced. The perceived loss of virility, as well as reduction in testosterone, can lead to anxiety, self-consciousness, and other emotional symptoms.
Some of the benefits of testosterone replacement in men include:
- Increased energy
- Increased muscle
- Increased libido and sexual function
- Decreased body fat
- Decreased heart disease
Diabetes
Insulin is normally secreted by the pancreas to help get blood sugar into the cells. Many people become glucose intolerant and pre-diabetic due to insulin resistance; the insulin is there but is not effective. Insulin resistance responds well to exercise and a low carb diet. If necessary, insulin may be used to better control the blood sugars.Diabetes typically results from a lack of insulin secretion from the pancreas (Type 1) or insulin resistance (type 2) of the cell receptors. There are numerous medications to help manage elevated blood sugar, but there efficacy is limited, and there are side effects. For most diabetics, supplementation with insulin is a routine part of treating and managing their condition.
Hypothyroidism
The thyroid hormone plays an important role in metabolism and mitochondrial function and effects energy regulation in every cell, organ and tissue in the body. It regulates temperature, metabolism, and cerebral function. Low thyroid function (hypothyroidism) symptoms include fatigue, poor concentration, weight gain, and being cold when others are comfortable. Hypothyroid is more common in women than men and is seen more around menopause. Hypothyroidism generally responds to thyroid hormone replacement. Conventional physicians tend to prescribe T4, a pro-hormone that must be converted to the more active T3. Integrative physicians tend to use of a combination of T4 and T3 thyroid extract or compounded. Sometimes symptoms suggesting low thyroid function may be due to weak adrenals.
Adrenal Fatigue
Adrenal disorders are also candidates for hormone replacement. The adrenal gland is mainly involved in the secretion of hormones related to the body’s stress response, such as cortisol and adrenaline. Insufficiencies of these hormones may be due to medical conditions such as Addison’s disease, autoimmune adrenalitis, or adrenal tumors. More often, however, the causes of adrenal insufficiency are unknown. Some cases are thought to be caused by a syndrome known as adrenal fatigue, in which the adrenal gland has become worn out due to chronic stress, causing lower levels of hormone to be released. In all of these cases, adrenal hormone replacement can be helpful for alleviating the many symptoms, which may include dizziness, nausea, weakness, fatigue, low blood pressure, and muscle pains.
DHEA (BIO-Identical)
Dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, is a natural steroid prohormone. It is produced from cholesterol by the adrenal glands, testes in men or ovaries in women, and the brain. In both men and women, the body’s production of DHEA increases dramatically before puberty. DHEA levels usually peak when we’re in our mid-20s, and decreases with age. Normal levels of DHEA are 200 to 400 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dl) in women, and 500 to 700 mcg/dl in men. By the time we hit our 40th birthday, most of us have DHEA levels below 200.
DHEA is known as a Natural Antioxidant that may:
- Restore Immunity
- Improve Memory
- Improve Energy
- Slow the aging process
- Positively affect depression and anxiety
- Improve psychological and physical aspects of sexuality
TESTOSTERONE FOR WOMEN (BIO-Identical)
Healthy women naturally produce small amounts in the ovaries. It helps control a women’s libido and also may be known to enhance the functions of estrogen. Testosterone for women is usually given in a cream applied to skin and may lead to :
- Enhancement of sexual drive
- Relief of menopausal symptoms
- Restoration of energy
- Strengthening of bone