Often these imbalances are temporary, and BHRT only needs to be used for a limited amount of time. In other instances, they may be a long-term treatment, but this will vary depending on the patient. The treatment works by figuring out which hormones are under-represented in a patient and then reintroducing certain hormones as a way of stabilizing the situation.
Doctors have often used hormone therapies in order to help patients overcome certain conditions, including an imbalance. To do this, they previously used synthetic, lab-created hormones that are typically derived from plant material and then given to a patient in the form of a pill, a cream, or a tablet. Do bioidentical hormones work? And how does it differ from other synthetic hormones because of their molecular shape—bioidentical hormones are designed to be exact copies of the hormones that naturally occur in the human body, and because of this, they are believed to be a more effective form of treatment.
Many bioidentical hormones have been replicated and used to treat patients, including estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, melatonin, and others. The therapy works in several phases. First, there is the initial testing phase, followed by the introduction of the treatment hormones.
After this, there will be a period of monitoring. During this time, the medical staff will try to make sure that the therapy is effective and adjust the treatment if they believe that a change needs to be made. The first step in treatment is for a patient to take a test. This will show what sorts of symptoms might be affecting a patient, and this can suggest what sort of hormone imbalance is causing it. Typically, a test may use a questionnaire that gives the medical practitioners an idea of what behavioral issues a patient may be experiencing.
Lab testing is also done in the form of a saliva, blood, or urine test. This will help the medical staff isolate and identify the particular hormones that may be lacking. The next phase in treatment is the introduction of the hormone. There are quite a few ways for a patient to get this hormone treatment into their system. Some hormones can be delivered orally, with a pill or a drink.
In some instances, a topical cream can be used on the surface of the skin, leading a patient to absorb the hormones in this way. Hormones can also be injected with a fine needle or released slowly by using a patch. For some patients on bioidentical progesterone or estrogen treatments, results can be noticed in as little as 2 weeks.
Women have reported improved sleep, less joint pain, better mood, and recovered concentration. Additionally, they have more energy, fewer hot flashes, and reversal in the changes around their vagina related to dryness and discomfort during sex.
Check out the chart below for an approximate result timeline. Symptoms will be person-specific and can vary greatly. How you experience the treatment may be different than anyone else you talk to. For a clear idea of what Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy looks like, check out social media!
People transitioning have often recorded their journeys on platforms such as YouTube. There is no evidence supporting the claim that BHRT causes added weight gain.
BHRT might also cause water retention , which can cause your weight to appear higher. Regular exercise and a healthy diet can combat any weight gain. It is ideal to start with low doses of hormones and make incremental adjustments as necessary. Often, these mood disorders are caused by an imbalance in hormone levels. However, they may also be caused by such factors as neurological problems or genes. If you are in your mids or older and have suddenly experienced symptoms of MDD or GAD, there is a good chance hormonal imbalance is causing depression or anxiety.
Low testosterone most often causes mood disorders. Testosterone is a critical sex hormone produced by both men and women. When the body no longer produces adequate amounts of testosterone, apathy and a number of other problems may arise.
BHRT can increase the level of testosterone in the body and restore motivation, happiness, patience, libido, and more. Chronic fatigue is another symptom of hormone imbalance that can be corrected with BHRT.
Balanced hormone levels are essential for restorative sleep; restorative sleep is essential for preventing chronic fatigue. Chronic fatigue is a condition characterized by a constant feeling of drowsiness or tiredness, regardless of how much sleep was had the night before. This condition can be corrected by regulating the ratio of progesterone to other hormones in the body. A vicious cycle occurs when your progesterone level is too low.
Inadequate sleep leads to such symptoms as weight gain, irritability, depression, and extreme cognitive decline. As the production of sex hormones declines, libido declines.
Usually, this is caused by low testosterone. However, women may experience this condition when they have enough testosterone but they have so much estrogen the testosterone cannot regulate everything it should regulate.
Regardless of the cause of your low libido, BHRT can restore balance to your hormone levels and increase your libido. BHRT can also help you combat weight gain. This phenomenon also occurs in people who suffer from chronic fatigue due to an excess of progesterone. Other hormonal imbalances also lead to weight gain. For example, some people have low levels of the satiety hormone leptin or high levels of the hunger hormone ghrelin. Restoring balance to your hormone levels will help you lose weight by helping you feel fuller for longer periods of time, reducing the frequency and severity of hunger signals, and reducing cravings for energy-dense foods and drinks.
BHRT can also improve your cognitive function. After a few weeks of bioidentical estrogen replacement therapy, you can restore mental clarity and improve your memory drastically. The idea behind bioidentical therapy is to replace naturally lost hormones. This is different from cross-sex hormone replacement therapy, which seeks to introduce higher levels of opposite-sex hormones to prompt changes in secondary sex characteristics. Bioidentical therapy only replaces hormones that have been lost.
Hormone replacement therapy for women primarily uses estrogen. At our office, we use estrogen pellets to deliver the hormone into your system. Hormone therapy for women has many benefits, both for restoring bodily processes and for managing physical changes that happen during menopause.
The main benefits of hormone therapy for women include:. For women, many of the hormonal changes caused by perimenopause and menopause are obvious and disturbing.
Changes in mood and frequent hot flashes are the most common symptoms that women notice. However, with menopause comes an increased risk of osteoporosis, weight gain that is difficult to manage, and dry skin. Hormone therapy for women using estrogen pellets can greatly improve many of these symptoms. Hormone replacement therapy for men uses testosterone to correct hormonal imbalances.
At our office, we use testosterone pellets as a means of delivering the hormone to your body. Hormone therapy for men has many bodily process and physical benefits. Typically, hormone therapy for men is done to address the changes brought about by andropause. The main benefits of hormone therapy for men include:.
For men, the hormonal changes caused by andropause are sometimes less obvious — and they are certainly less talked about. The most common and obvious sign of hormonal imbalances caused by andropause is a significantly reduced libido, including the ability to sustain arousal.
Andropause is also a heavy contributor to hair loss, negative mood swings, and difficulty sleeping. Hormone therapy for men using testosterone pellets can vastly improve these symptoms. By now you must be wondering what the process for hormone therapy is like. Regardless of your gender, the basic methods of hormone therapy are the same for men and women. To give you a better idea of what hormone therapy would be like, we are providing a simple guideline for what hormone therapy appointments would be like at our office.
Your first appointment is also your most important. During your initial consultation, you will speak with one of our expert professionals about hormone replacement therapy. Our staff will be happy to answer any queries you have and give you the best information so you can make a fully informed decision. At this initial appointment, you will discuss your symptoms — specifically, the symptoms you believe are caused by andropause or menopause. Our staff will ask you about when the symptoms began and the duration of symptoms like hot flashes, sleep disturbances, or libido difficulties.
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