Bioidentical hormones are identical in molecular structure to the hormones naturally produced in the human body. They are often used as part of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) to supplement declining hormone levels associated with aging or other medical conditions.
As both men and women age, natural hormone production begins to slow down and decline. In women, menopause marks the substantial drop in key hormones like estrogen and progesterone. In men, testosterone levels also start to fall around age 30, leading to symptoms associated with low testosterone. Supplementing declining hormones through bioidentical forms can provide relief from deficiency symptoms.
Unlike conventional synthetic hormones made from animal constituents, bioidentical hormones are custom compounded in a pharmacy to match natural human hormones. This makes them molecularly identical to the hormones produced naturally in the body.
Common sources for bioidentical estrogens, progesterone, and testosterone include phytoestrogens isolated from soy and yams. This plant-derived raw material is then modified in a lab to produce hormones that are biochemically identical to human hormones.
Bioidentical hormone replacement can provide therapeutic benefits for both men and women experiencing age-related hormone shifts or imbalances from medical conditions.
Women entering perimenopause and menopause commonly deal with hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, insomnia, weight gain, and emotional changes as estrogen levels decline. Bioidentical estrogen and/or progesterone treatment helps to alleviate these menopause symptoms.
In men over age 30, testosterone levels start to fall around 1-2% per year. Low testosterone, or “low T,” has been associated with depression, fatigue, reduced muscle mass, weight gain, low libido, and erectile dysfunction. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) using bioidentical testosterone is an effective treatment approach.
Both men and women can develop hormone deficiencies or imbalances due to medical conditions like pituitary disorders, injury or surgery, tumors, radiation, chemotherapy drugs, stress, or autoimmune diseases. Bioidentical HRT can restore optimal hormone balance in these deficiency states.
Imbalances can also occur from poor diet, lack of sleep, alcohol use, or exposure to endocrine disruptors like BPA from plastics. Bioidentical hormones along with lifestyle changes provide solutions.
There are numerous medical conditions that can arise from insufficient levels of key hormones in the body. The following are some of the most common conditions that may be effectively treated through customized bioidentical hormone replacement.
As outlined above, imbalances in estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone brought on by perimenopause and menopause result in troublesome short-term symptoms as well as long-term health risks when left untreated. Bioidentical estrogen and/or progesterone therapy provides highly effective relief for most menopausal symptoms.
Declining estrogen is strongly associated with bone loss and osteoporosis (porous bones) in postmenopausal women. Fractures, height loss, and stooped posture result. Studies show bioidentical estrogen therapy slows bone loss and fracture risk reduction up to 30-50% while used.
The sharp drop in estrogen from menopause also promotes heart disease risk in women. Research indicates properly balanced estrogen therapy significantly reduces cardiovascular disease mortality by decreasing atherosclerosis and inflammation.
Falling estrogen levels affect collagen production leading to skin damage, impaired wound healing, joint pain, and compromised connective tissues throughout the body. Estrogen supplementation provides collagen protection helping preserve youthful skin tone and joint flexibility.
Imbalances in estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, thyroid and testosterone greatly impact mental health. Bioidentical hormone optimization therapy works to calibrate hormone levels alleviating anxiety, irritability, depression and stabilizing mood.
Although rarely discussed, low testosterone significantly contributes to ED in men over 50. Studies confirm testosterone therapy successfully improves erectile function and libido especially when combined with medications like Viagra.
As highlighted above, declining testosterone in men over 30 manifests in many symptoms that negatively impact health and vitality. restoring optimal testosterone levels through bioidentical treatment alleviates low T safely and effectively.
If you suspect hormone imbalance or deficiency may be impacting your health, getting properly tested and starting bioidentical replacement through our experienced medical staff provides the best path forward.
The first step is an in-depth consultation with one of our hormone specialists to thoroughly assess your symptoms, health history, and customize the right lab tests to identify any hormone deficiencies or imbalances.
We then arrange for you to get comprehensive blood, saliva, or urine tests measuring your baseline sex hormone levels including estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, cortisol. Follow-up testing determines ideal dosage.
Based on your lab results, our clinicians will customize a personalized prescription of FDA-approved bioidentical hormones precisely matched to your hormone needs in convenient oral tablets, transdermal creams, sublingual drops or pellet implants designed to restore optimal balance.
We closely track your adjustment to treatment through follow up visits and lab testing to achieve maximum benefits while avoiding side effects until optimal hormonal balance and symptom relief is attained. Adjustments to type, dosage or delivery method of bioidentical hormones may be made over time as needed under careful supervision.
Bioidentical hormones derived from plants can act nearly identically to the hormones produced by the human body, leading some experts to believe they may carry fewer health risks than synthetic hormone therapies when used properly under medical supervision. However, large-scale studies on their long-term effects are still lacking.
When considering hormone replacement therapy to restore wellness and vitality, choosing the right hormone clinic with expertise, quality standards and continuity of care makes all the difference. Vitality Balance Clinic stands above with exceptional service.
Our clinic is directed under Dr. Jane Wells, board certified in obstetrics and gynecology with an acclaimed added certification in anti-aging and regenerative medicine from the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. With almost 20 years of clinical experience restoring hormonal wellness, Dr. Wells leads our staff of licensed healthcare professionals all extensively trained in customized bioidentical HRT.
We are proud to partner with Mountain Top Pharmacy, and on-site PCAB accredited compounding pharmacy meeting the highest standards of quality, purity and precision in custom formulating bioidentical hormones in a variety of personalized preparations tailored to your treatment protocol.
While we concentrate on delivering optimal hormone balance through replacement methods, achieving sustainable wellness requires integrating factors like nutrition, stress management and fitness into health strategies. We help develop dietary and lifestyle adjustments that best support your bioidentical therapy while focusing on whole person well-being.
With extensive hours of availability, our full-service clinic offers continuity of care under one roof. From your initial symptoms and lab assessment, to developing and maintaining your personalized prescription through to symptom resolution, your endocrinologic care remains coordinated by our lead hormone specialists. We strive to deliver medical excellence with service accessibility for your health and convenience.
Allowing declining hormone levels and deficiencies to persist untreated over time often leads to compounding symptoms, metabolic disruption, and escalated health deterioration that becomes increasingly more difficult to reverse. The body struggles to calibrate hormonal equilibrium when key hormones drop below viable thresholds, triggering wide ranging disturbances.
Identifying and addressing hormone imbalance early on provides the best opportunity to alleviate deficiency symptoms, circumvent disease progression, restore vigor and reclaim wellness with bioidentical hormone optimization therapy monitored by our medical team. Contact us today to begin your journey back to hormone health and vital living.
