Hormone levels naturally decline with age, leading to deficiency symptoms. Replacing these hormones can provide extensive health benefits and help people feel their best. Bioidentical hormones are identical to the hormones made by the human body, making them the optimal choice.
At Wellness Hormone Clinic in Johnstown, we specialize in customized bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). BHRT can effectively relieve deficiency symptoms when tailored to each patient's unique hormonal needs. Read on to learn more about bioidentical hormones and our personalized approach.
Bioidentical hormones are man-made hormones that are molecularly identical to those produced naturally by the human body. This makes them functionally equivalent to the hormones made by your endocrine system.
The key bioidentical hormones used in replacement therapy include:
Because bioidentical hormones match those we make, they can bind to receptors and mimic natural hormones. This avoids side effects seen with synthetic hormones.
Custom compounded BHRT solutions contain precise ratios of bioidentical estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and/or DHEA in creams, gels, pellets, or injectables. This personalized approach makes treatment as physiologic as possible.
Declining hormones affect both men and women. Common symptoms include:
- Hot flashes - Night sweats - Vaginal dryness - Irregular periods - Loss of sex drive - Weight gain - Sleep disruption - Mood changes - Fatigue
- Loss of muscle mass - Increased body fat - Brain fog - Low sex drive - Erectile dysfunction - Decreased energy - Irritability
If you are experiencing these symptoms, BHRT may help restore optimal hormonal balance. Proper testing and diagnosis are key first steps.
Identifying hormone deficiencies requires accurate blood, saliva, or urine tests. Key hormone labs include:
Testing should assess free and total hormone levels for the most complete picture of deficiencies. Appropriate reference ranges tailored to age and sex are also vital for accurate diagnosis.
Unlike conventional hormone therapy, bioidentical hormones have a chemical structure identical to the hormones naturally produced by the human body. This allows them to bind more efficiently to hormone receptors, potentially reducing side effects while still providing symptom relief to menopausal women.
Customized bioidentical hormone therapy offers extensive benefits, including relief of deficiency symptoms. Those who may benefit include:
In research studies, bioidentical estrogen and testosterone have shown safety and efficacy for multiple years of treatment.
Other benefits of balanced hormone levels include:
Balancing hormones can quite literally help people look and feel decades younger. The key is customized treatment guided by testing.
At Wellness Hormone Clinic, we specialize in precision compounded BHRT tailored to each patient’s unique needs. Our process includes:
We start with an extensive review of your signs, symptoms, health history and hormone testing results. This identifies areas of hormonal imbalance.
Next, we formulate a customized bioidentical hormone regimen just for you. This uses precise ratios of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and/or DHEA in high quality FDA-approved creams, gels or pellets.
We closely monitor your treatment plan with follow up visits and labs to achieve optimal hormonal balance and symptom relief. This ensures effectiveness and safety.
We offer nutritional, fitness and stress reduction guidance to complement hormone therapy. Balancing hormones and lifestyle is key for the best outcomes.
Wellness Hormone Clinic offers a truly personalized approach to help both women and men feel their best again.
Declining estrogen levels are behind most menopausal symptoms in women over 40. Estrogen regulates hundreds of body processes involved in reproduction, bone/heart health, cognition and more.
With menopause, estrogen production from the ovaries sharply drops off, leading to widespread effects. Supplementing the body’s dwindling estrogens can provide immense symptom relief.
Common symptoms include:
- Hot flashes - Night sweats - Flushing
Estrogen keeps body temperature properly regulated. Declines lead to fluctuating warmth perception and sweating.
- Vaginal dryness/pain - Recurrent UTIs - Urgency/leaking
Estrogens maintain thick, elastic, lubricated vaginal tissue and urethral tone. Reduced levels cause atrophy, irritation, infections, and incontinence.
- Low libido - Painful intercourse
Adequate estrogens are vital for healthy sexual arousal and response. Declines frequently cause low desire and discomfort.
- Irritability - Mood swings - Trouble concentrating
Estrogen interacts with multiple neurotransmitters involved in mood regulation and cognition. Imbalances contribute to anxiety, depression and brain fog during menopause.
- Fatigue - Insomnia - Hair thinning/dryness - Weight gain
Balancing estrogens can help restore energy, restful sleep, scalp hair health and proper weight regulation.
Imbalanced estrogen also raises risks for osteoporosis and heart disease. Estrogen helps build bone density before menopause and provides cardio-protective effects when balanced with progesterone.
Saliva or blood tests help identify estrogen deficiencies. Topical estradiol or oral estriol are commonly used for treatment. Working closely with your practitioner to tailor doses and delivery methods is crucial for safety and efficacy.
Testosterone powers male health and vitality throughout life. Levels peak during adolescence/early adulthood, then slowly but steadily decline with age. This continual drop now starts earlier, around age 25-30.
The term “andropause” refers to men’s version of menopause – that is, declines in testosterone causing low T symptoms. Boosting levels in deficient men provides extensive benefits, including:
Low testosterone signs span physical, sexual and mental aspects of health:
- Loss of muscle mass - Weight/fat gain - Reduced strength - More belly fat - Fatigue
- Low libido/desire - Erectile dysfunction - Difficulty reaching orgasm
- Irritability - Impaired focus/memory - Reduced motivation
Testing includes both total and free testosterone levels, which assess different components. Optimizing levels requires proper diagnosis along with lifestyle adjustments and hormone balancing.
Treatment utilizes testosterone creams, injections, or pellet implants, among other methods. Close provider supervision ensures effectiveness and safety.
Boosting testosterone can help men regain their vitality, health and confidence.
BHRT comes in numerous FDA-approved delivery methods to precisely meet each patient’s needs:
Creams - Topical creams supply customized ratios of estrogen, testosterone and/or progesterone directly into the bloodstream through skin application. This avoids first pass liver metabolism for more consistent effects. Creams are applied daily based on your regimen.
Gels – These newer topical gels work similarly to creams, penetrating the skin for systemic absorption. Gels dry more quickly than creams without a greasy residue.
Oral capsules contain micronized progesterone or estriol for convenient oral use. Micronization enhances absorption. Capsules can complement topical hormone creams.
Pellet implants - These small rods implanted under the skin slowly release hormones for 3-6 months. This eliminates the need for daily dosing. Local numbing minimizes discomfort during a short in-office procedure.
Injections – Depot injections of testosterone or estradiol provide longer lasting coverage between doses. These work well for those wanting infrequent dosing.
Wellness Hormone Clinic will explain all options to find your optimal delivery method(s). We then compound each BHRT formulation just for you.
Balancing hormones and lifestyle is key for optimal wellness during hormone therapy. We provide guidance on:
Eating hormone-supporting foods can complement treatment: - Phytoestrogen-rich foods like flax, soy, oats, beans, lentils - Cruciferous vegetables – broccoli, cauliflower, kale - Lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, healthy fats - Avoid excess carbs/sugars, alcohol, caffeine
- Aerobic exercise supports heart health - Strength training boosts metabolism and bone density - Stretching enhances flexibility
Aim for 30-60 minutes daily, balancing cardio, weights and stretching. Start slowly if new to exercising.
Managing stress is vital for hormonal balance. Try: - Yoga - Meditation - Deep breathing - Daily relaxation
Getting 7-9 hours nightly provides immense health benefits and ensures hormones rebalance properly overnight.
Optimize sleep habits: - Set a bedtime/wake time - Limit electronics before bed - Create an ideal sleep environment - Reduce caffeine after noon
Lifestyle adjustments augment hormone therapy for optimal wellness during menopause and andropause. Our providers offer knowledgeable guidance.
Wellness Hormone Clinic strives to help people achieve their best health and quality of life through expert bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Our comprehensive approach includes:
We also understand cost considerations when paying out of pocket for treatment. Our staff works diligently with patients to provide affordable options through compounding pharmacies.
Wellness Hormone Clinic has proudly served the Johnstown community for over 10 years. We look forward to helping you address hormone deficiencies for better health.
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