Getting to the root of the problem
Understanding Hormone Decline and Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
As we age, testosterone, estrogen and progesterone naturally decline over time. Around age 35, men experience a gradual reduction in testosterone, typically 2 to 10 percent per year. For women, pre-menopause may start as early as the 30s. In fact, often hormone imbalance kicks in long before hot flashes do- by 10 to 15 years! Unfortunately, a wide variety of symptoms may come along with this decline in hormone levels.
A good starting point is to ask yourself if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- Lack of motivation or feel more tired than usual
- Weight gain – especially belly fat
- Less sexual desire and lower libido
- More frequent mood swings
- Feeling anxious and depressed
- Struggle with brain fog and insomnia
If you answered yes to several of these, you may be a candidate for bioidentical hormone replacement therapy with pellets.
What is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy?
BHRT with pellets is a natural alternative to synthetic hormone replacement therapies. With bioidentical hormones, the structure of the hormone – testosterone, estrogen or both – is matched to the individual patient’s needs. Bioidentical hormones are natural, plant-based substances that metabolize in our bodies the way nature intended.
What is the difference between synthetic and bioidentical hormones?
Synthetic hormones are mass produced and artificially formulated in a lab. Artificial hormones are intentionally manufactured to be slightly different than natural hormones, so the manufacturer can patent the formulation. Consequently, synthetic hormones may not provide a good fit or optimum outcome for the human body like bioidentical hormones do. Bioidentical hormone pellets are composed of either estradiol or testosterone and are larger than a grain of rice and smaller than a Tic Tac. The pellets we choose to use are sourced from FarmaKeio, a leading compound pharmacy in the US that presses the hormones into tiny, solid cylinders.
How long has pellet therapy been around?
Under the skin pellets have been used to treat hormone imbalance since the 1930’s and research consistently shows bioidentical hormone replacement therapy with pellet implants is the superior method to deliver hormones to men and women. While this therapy treats symptoms of unbalanced hormones, research also suggests that it may play a key role in preventing diseases such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease and certain cancers.
What are the next steps?
If you are interested in learning more about this life changing process, we invite you to schedule a wellness consultation with our nurse practitioner. During the consult we will review your concerns and have you complete a comprehensive questionnaire. Bloodwork is required to begin HRT which can be done in the office or at a Quest location. Once bloodwork is reviewed and you decide to move forward with hormone pellet therapy, our practitioner will create a treatment plan that includes a pellet combination and/or nutraceuticals.
