Bioidentical hormones are identical in molecular structure to the hormones naturally produced in the human body. As we age, hormone levels often decline, leading to undesirable symptoms. Replacing diminishing hormones with bioidentical versions can provide relief.
Bioidentical hormones used for replacement therapy include estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, thyroid hormone (T3/T4), melatonin, and human growth hormone. These are prepared by compounding pharmacies in creams, capsules, troches, and injectables matched to the patient's needs.
The first step is diagnostic blood, saliva or urine testing. Levels of key hormones like estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA-S, T3, T4, etc. will be measured and compared to optimal reference ranges for gender and age.
Symptoms indicating hormone deficiency include:
Left unchecked, hormone imbalances can undermine wellbeing and increase risks for various diseases. Restoring balance promptly is key for supporting vitality. Blood testing accurately identifies shortfalls, enabling customized therapy. Ongoing monitoring ensures optimal dosing.
With age, falling hormones contribute to sarcopenia (muscle loss), osteoporosis (bone loss), weight gain, diabetes, heart disease, and neurodegeneration. Normalizing levels reduces these risks and extends healthy lifespan. Early intervention preserves quality of life.
After testing confirms a shortfall, bioidentical hormones are prescribed in the lowest effective doses, adjusted over time based on follow up labs and symptom response.
Delivery methods include oral capsules, sublingual troches, transdermal creams or gels, pellets, and injections. These bypass liver metabolism, providing better absorption than synthetic hormones. Compounded bioidenticals are plant-derived, matching human hormones molecule-for-molecule.
Women produce hormones mainly in ovaries/adrenals with a monthly cycle. With peri-menopause, cycles become irregular as egg production declines. Menopause marks the end, causing hot flashes, insomnia, vaginal atrophy, accelerated aging, and osteoporosis over time.
Plummeting estrogen levels drive menopausal symptoms. Estrogen regulates over 300 bodily processes and tissues vital for health (heart, brain, skin, uterus, breasts, etc.).
Low estrogen underlies hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, urinary issues, insulin resistance, weight gain (especially visceral belly fat), high cholesterol, blood pressure and cardiovascular risks, poor sleep, memory lapses, anxiety/depression, loss of collagen and accelerated skin aging, osteoporosis over time, and reduced pleasure in sex.
Bioidentical estradiol and estrone replicate naturally occurring estrogens. Topical creams, tablets, or pellet implants can effectively treat deficiencies without excess stimulation. Care is taken in women with a uterus due to risks for endometrial hyperplasia. Progestogens are incorporated to provide protection.
Progesterone works synergistically with estrogen throughout the menstrual cycle. It prepares uterine lining for implantation in childbearing years. Levels peak after ovulation then crash during menstruation if no pregnancy occurs. Output declines with peri-menopause as cycles become irregular.
Low progesterone can cause estrogen dominance with heavy, painful periods, bloating, fibroids, PMS, insomnia, anxiety, and breast tenderness. Later it contributes to osteoporosis. Uterine cancer risks may increase without accompanying progesterone.
Bioidentical progesterone effectively treats deficiencies without cardiac, blood clot or breast cancer risks associated with synthetic progestins. Capsules, sublingual drops, or transdermal creams can restore levels. Micronized progesterone supplements aid sleep and bone density while alleviating PMS, anxiety, menstrual irregularities, and hot flashes.
Declining testosterone is inevitable for aging men, causing loss of strength, stamina, and sexual potency. Muscle mass and bone density decrease while body fat increases. Motivation, confidence and cognitive abilities also suffer without healthy testosterone levels.
Testosterone fuels libido, erections, stamina and strength while facilitating fertility and sperm production in younger men. This potent androgen stimulates muscle protein synthesis, energizing cells throughout the body. Testosterone also enhances vitality, drive, mood and mental acuity.
Deficiencies cause depleted energy, decreased muscle mass, soft erections, low sperm counts, weight gain (visceral fat), insulin resistance, high cholesterol, anemia, osteoporosis over time and cardiovascular risks. Motivation, confidence and cognition suffer as well. Restored testosterone reverses these declines.
TRT (testosterone replacement therapy) employs bioidentical testosterone to replenish waning levels. Topical gels/creams, injectables, and implantable pellets can effectively normalize concentrations with regular monitoring. Benefits for deficient men include renewed energy, stamina, fertility, cognitive abilities, cardiovascular function, weight control and sexual potency.
Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism, temperature, heart rate, weight, digestion, mental function and fertility. Low thyroid slows cellular processes, causing fatigue, stubborn weight gain, mental fog and high cholesterol despite diet/exercise. Imbalances require prompt diagnosis and treatment.
Hypothyroidism causes fatigue, weight gain, mental fog, sensitivity to cold, constipation, mood changes, hair loss, dry skin and infertility. Hyperthyroidism speeds metabolism too much, causing anxiety, insomnia, rapid heart rate, sweating, tremors, and unintended weight loss.
Thyroid blood tests check TSH, T4, T3 and antibodies. Abnormal results indicate hypo or hyperthyroidism. Custom compounded bioidentical T3/T4 thyroid hormone effectively treats deficiencies without side effects. Armour, Nature-Throid and WP Thyroid contain both T3/T4 hormones dried from animal thyroids.
Adjusting dosages alleviates hypothyroid symptoms, aiding weight loss, energy, mood, focus, skin quality, heart function and fertility. Careful monitoring ensures optimal metabolism without overstimulation. Addressing thyroid dysfunction provides huge benefits.
DHEA is a prohormone produced mainly in the adrenal glands, with the highest levels during youth. DHEA spikes during growth spurts in childhood, peaks around age 25, then declines with age. Low DHEA alters physiology and mental health.
Diminishing DHEA correlates with aging declines in energy, immunity, lean muscle mass, bone density, skin collagen, memory, mood, confidence, libido and sexual responsiveness. DHEA protects the heart and brain while regulating lipids, blood pressure, insulin sensitivity and inflammation.
Bioidentical DHEA sustainably restores youthful levels without side effects. Taken orally once daily, DHEA supplements boost energy, motivation, immunity and metabolism. Skin, joints, muscles, bones, brain and sexual health all benefit. DHEA enhances diverse anti-aging processes throughout the body. Careful testing and monitoring ensure proper dosing.
Unlike conventional hormone therapy, bioidentical hormones are custom-compounded to match a person's natural hormone profile. This tailored approach aims to provide hormonal balance while minimizing side effects, though more research is still needed to compare outcomes to standard therapies.
Balanced nutrition, exercise, stress reduction and quality sleep provide the foundation for hormone health. A Mediterranean diet high in omega 3s, antioxidants and fiber benefits all hormones. Weight lifting (promoting lean muscle mass and bone density) combined with stretching and aerobic exercise optimize hormonal responses. Mindfulness meditation alleviates cortisol and adrenal strain. At least 7 hours nightly sustain healthy sleep cycles and melatonin output.
These four pillars facilitate homeostasis across hormonal pathways. Optimizing lifestyle bolsters treatment outcomes. Dayton offers excellent fitness centers, healthy dining options, walking/cycling trails, and serene parks which support restoration. Visitors praise the city's friendly ambiance during therapy.
Bioidentical hormone replacement alleviates deficiencies underpinning undesirable symptoms and elevated disease risks. Restored levels enhance vitality while reducing menopause, andropause and thyroid disorder effects. Ongoing oversight ensures properly balanced dosing tailored to the individual. Starting treatment promptly improves response. Contact The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic to learn more about our complete anti aging therapy programs.
