Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) can help both men and women overcome hormone deficiencies that lead to undesirable symptoms and health issues. This in-depth guide covers the basics of bioidentical hormones, their role in the body, common deficiency signs, and the many benefits of balanced hormones for optimal wellness.
Bioidentical hormones are structurally identical versions of the hormones naturally produced in the human body. The term "bioidentical" means the molecular structure of these hormones matches those made by the ovaries and testes before a decline in hormone production occurs with age.
Some key bioidentical hormones include:
Made from plant sources, bioidentical estrogens, progesterone, and testosterone are formulated to be exact replicas of what the body produces. This allows them to bind to hormone receptors and mimic the activity of naturally made hormones.
BHRT uses these natural plant-derived hormones to supplement declining levels, helping both men and women regain optimal balance. Restoring hormones to more youthful ranges can alleviate unpleasant symptoms of menopause, andropause, adrenal fatigue as well as support better health.
Aging inevitably brings a slow decline in the body's production of key hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA and melatonin. Lifestyle factors also affect hormone levels. Chronic stress, poor gut health, obesity, lack of sleep, inflammation and exposure to hormone disrupting chemicals all play a role.
When our hormones become significantly out of balance, we experience noticeable symptoms that impact quality of life. Understanding the signs of deficiencies in both sex and adrenal hormones enables proper diagnosis and treatment.
Address these common symptoms of hormone imbalance through bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). Our experienced practitioners tailor treatment plans featuring balanced ratios of bioidentical hormones to meet each patient's unique needs.
Balancing key hormones with bioidentical versions offers tremendous benefits for both men and women. Patients consistently report improvements in energy, sleep, mental clarity, weight management, sexual health and enjoyment of life after starting hormones.
Benefits of BHRT for Women:
Benefits for Men:
Balanced bioidentical hormones enhance our health and quality of life in so many ways at a cellular level. Most patients feel markedly better within weeks of starting properly administered BHRT under medical supervision.
There are several delivery methods used to administer bioidentical hormone therapy (BHT) to balance hormones based on lab testing and clinical evaluation. These include:
Topical creams - Compounded BHRT creams are commonly prescribed to both men (testosterone) and women (estrogen/progesterone). Creams absorb through the skin delivering hormones directly into circulation while avoiding potential liver toxicity. This allows flexible custom dosing. Creams need to be used correctly ensuring proper rotation of application sites.
Injections - Some patients may use injectable estrogen, testosterone or DHEA pellets for hormone therapy. Depot injections administer the hormone in staggered doses, maintaining stable levels. Patients must come into the clinic/doctor's office for scheduled bioidentical hormone injections.
Sublingual hormones - Bioidentical estrogens, progesterone, testosterone and DHEA also come in sublingual tablets or drops. Sublingual forms absorb efficiently under the tongue, quickly entering the bloodstream. This method avoids digestive breakdown and potential liver strain.
Pellets - Bioidentical hormone pellets about the size of a grain of rice are inserted under the hip skin and steadily release hormones over 3-6 months. This eliminates the need for daily dosing. Pellets must be surgically inserted and replaced every few months in our clinic.
BHRT regimens involve an initial ramp-up phase to build hormones to optimal levels based on lab blood tests. This is followed by a maintenance phase to sustain balance long-term by taking hormones daily/weekly per the personalized prescription. Follow-up testing ensures hormones remain in the healthy range.
We offer state-of-the-art pellet implants containing bioidentical testosterone for men and estradiol/progesterone pellets for women seeking the convenience of steady-release hormones. Contact our Balance Hormones Clinic today for a consultation about the benefits of hormone balancing tailored to your unique needs.
The first step in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy involves diagnosing specific deficiencies through lab testing. Accurately measuring your blood levels of key hormones and biomarkers enables our practitioners to determine optimal dosage and delivery methods.
We recommend testing the following hormones using our advanced blood panels:
Thyroid and insulin levels are also important to evaluate. Our complete hormone tests help create individualized BHRT treatment plans for men and women to resolve deficiency symptoms and regain optimal wellness.
Reference ranges have been updated in recent years to reflect what are now considered optimal, healthy hormone levels. Standard lab reference ranges are very broad, which can miss underlying deficiencies linked to symptoms.
We use cutting-edge testing that more accurately identifies hormone imbalances missed by conventional labs. Specific ratios between hormones offer the best indications of deficiencies affecting wellness and vitality versus chronological age.
Correctly interpreting lab biomarker ratios is key for bioidentical hormone doctors to prescribe appropriate replacement dosing. Our practitioners are highly experienced in functional endocrinology using lab testing to guide customized treatment plans.
Our clinic focuses specifically on optimizing wellness through expert bioidentical hormone replacement tailored to the unique needs of each patient. We combine advanced diagnostics, proven protocols and attentive medical supervision for safe, effective treatment.
What sets Balance Hormones Clinic apart:
We work closely with each patient to formulate an integrated BHRT regimen combined with diet, lifestyle and nutraceutical recommendations for great results. Contact us for a comprehensive consultation.
The ultimate goal of bioidentical hormone therapy is restoring balance within the body's intricate hormone network. Deficiencies develop gradually, and must be corrected progressively using an individualized approach.
Here are 5 key principles for successful bioidentical HRT:
At Balance Hormones Clinic, we adhere to these essential principles of care, specializing exclusively in integrated bioidentical hormone replacement tailored to your unique biochemistry and needs for great outcomes.
Comprehensive bioidentical hormone therapy works best alongside targeted lifestyle measures to help normalize hormone levels holistically. Key self-care strategies include:
Improve gut health - An unhealthy gut microbiome reduces hormone synthesis and promotes inflammation, exacerbating deficiencies. Specific diets and targeted probiotic supplements enhance gut function.
Reduce toxin exposure - Environmental toxins like phthalates and BPA that disrupt endocrine pathways should be avoided. We offer guidance on reducing exposures.
Manage blood sugar - Excess insulin promotes inflammation directly affecting hormone balance. Follow our nutrition plan focused on stabilizing blood sugar by reducing dietary glycemic load.
Mitigate chronic stress - Adaptogens herbs combined with breathing exercises, yoga, meditation and sufficient sleep counter the exhausting effects of cortisol.
Exercise wisely - Regular activity boosts hormone levels positively. However, too much high-intensity exercise can drain hormones. Find an optimal middle ground.
Lose excess weight - Belly and hip fat cells convert testosterone to estrogen exacerbating deficiencies. Our programs focus on permanent fat loss through intermittent fasting, carb management and building muscle.
Allow proper recovery - Overwork and lack of recovery depletes hormones exponentially. Make sufficient rest between demanding work bouts a top priority.
Balance Hormones Clinic physicians and nutritionists offer highly tailored diet and lifestyle guidance with BHRT to help patients achieve transformative results. Contact us to learn more.
| Hormone Delivery Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Pellets | Steady release over months, only 2-4x yearly insertion needed. Avoid liver processing | Minor surgical procedure needed for insertions |
| Injections | Direct pathways to cells, rapid relief. In-office visits every 1-2 weeks | Potential rollercoaster effect as doses peak/decline between shots |
| Creams | Convenient; direct absorption through skin. Flexible custom dosing | Must properly rotate sites to maximize absorption |
| Sublingual | Rapid uptake by blood vessels under tongue. No digestive elimination. Very convenient | Requires discipline for proper daily dosing regimen |
As you can see, each bioidentical hormone delivery method has its own advantages and potential limitations depending on the patient's needs and preferences. Our knowledgeable practitioners help determine which option is best for your symptoms, hormone test results, dosing requirements and lifestyle factors. Contact Balance Hormones Clinic today to learn more about starting a customized bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) regimen to restore optimal wellness.
Declining testosterone levels due to aging and lifestyle factors creates frustrating symptoms that significantly reduce men's quality of life. Research shows a prevalence of between 20-40% testosterone deficiency in adult men over age 45.
Restoring balanced bioidentical testosterone safely and effectively alleviates concerns like loss of vitality, reduced muscle mass, weight gain, poor sleep and low libido. Our expert medical team uses advanced testing and protocols to customize treatment for great results.
Accurately measuring free and total testosterone in the blood identifies clinically low levels. However, testosterone testing and assessment involves more than lab scores alone. A complete history, physical examination, symptom survey and additional lab testing enable our practitioners to best determine the need for testosterone replacement therapy.
Properly administered bioidentical testosterone offers a long list of evidence-based advantages:
Our customized testosterone regimens combined with diet, lifestyle and supplement strategies help aging men regain peak performance. Contact Balance Hormones Clinic today to learn more about boosting vitality safely.
Fluctuating then declining ovarian hormone production through perimenopause into menopause causes estrogen and progesterone levels to drop erratically, triggering common effects like hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, brain fog, weight gain, and vaginal dryness that disrupt life.
Bioidentical estrogen and progesterone therapy alleviates uncomfortable menopause transition symptoms, supports better health and also prevents accelerated aging.
Balancing estrogen, progesterone and testosterone holistically also enables women to look and feel their best while optimizing markers of wellness as they age. Tailored bioidentical HRT restores hormonal harmony for optimal sleep, energy, weight, mood and sexual health.
At Balance Hormones Clinic, we offer state-of-the-art pellet implants containing bioidentical estradiol and progesterone as an option for steady-release over 3-6 months. Contact us for a consultation about balancing your hormones through menopause and beyond via creams, patches, pellets or shots designed just for you.
The many symptoms caused by declining hormones develop gradually over months and years as part of menopause or andropause. This slowly progressing imbalance then accelerates other aspects of aging.
However, the physical as well as psychological effects that hormone loss has on wellness and quality of life can often be avoided, or at least mitigated, when bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is started at the first subtle signs of deficiency.
Testing key hormones early enables us to detect when levels start shifting outside optimal ranges well before major symptoms manifest. We monitor veterans of hormone therapy so they don't regress.
Catching rising FSH, dropping progesterone and fluctuating estrogen years before the final menstrual period enables safe intervention to stabilize the transition through precision micronized bioidentical hormones.
The same proactive diagnosis and prevention through early treatment applies to declining testosterone and DHEA in men. We routinely test men over 40 ensuring this insidious decrease doesn't progress to performance robbing "andropause".
When bioidentical hormone therapy is properly initiated at the earliest stages of deficiency, many advantages result:
Don't wait until frustrating menopause or andropause symptoms are in full swing before seeking help. Get tested now by the experienced clinicians at Balance Hormones Clinic instead to determine if you're currently at risk for hormone imbalance. Precision bioidentical restoration combined with a healthy lifestyle maximizes wellness through this biological transition and beyond.
Contact us today to learn about proactive solutions to feel
