When our hormones go out of balance, we can no longer function normally. We gain weight, get depressed, experience mood swings, lose interest in sex, feel tired, can’t sleep, and just don’t feel ourselves. Hormonal imbalance most often hits us in our 40’s and 50’s, when women go through menopause and men through andropause. Illness, surgery and medication can lead to hormonal imbalance at any age.
The only way to relieve these and many other symptoms and return to your normal life is to restore hormonal balance through Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT).
The difference between conventional HRT and BHRT
Standard hormone replacement therapy (HRT) uses substances that act like hormones, but their molecular structure is different from the molecules naturally produced by your endocrine system. Those artificial hormones are made from chemicals or horse urine and carry a lot of side effects. They also increase risk of breast cancer, stroke and heart attack.
Bioidentical hormones used in BHRT, on the other hand, are safe and have not been associated with side effects and health risks. They are produced from plants such as yams and soybeans. Their molecular structure is an exact match to the hormones your body already makes. They do their work exactly the same way your own hormones do.
The natural hormones used in BHRT can be administered with a number of delivery methods. They include:
- Creams
- Gels
- Skin patches
- Pills
- Injections
- Pellets
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy for Women
A woman can suffer from hormone imbalance at any stage of her life. Stress, illness, diet, pregnancy and childbirth – all affect a woman’s hormone balance. Menopause is the most common type of hormonal imbalance. It is defined as the time when a woman ceases to menstruate for at least 12 months. However, the key hormones – estrogen, progesterone and testosterone – begin to decline up to 10 years earlier causing symptoms called perimenopause.
The symptoms of hormonal imbalance and decline in women can be emotional, behavioral or physical:
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Mood swings and irritability, PMS
- Depression and anxiety
- Weight gain and increase in body fat
- Low energy
- Loss of libido
- Vaginal dryness, painful intercourse
- Trouble sleeping
- Foggy thinking
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy for Men
Testosterone decline is the main culprit behind most complaints. The levels of this hormone start dropping when men are still in their 30’s. By the time they reach their 50’s, more than half of men have abnormally low testosterone.
The symptoms of testosterone decline vary and can be hard to predict. They can be emotional, behavioral or physical. Declining testosterone can severely impact a man’s quality of life and may lead to serious health issues such as heart disease, stroke and osteoporosis.
- Loss of energy
- Loss of muscle mass
- Poor workout results
- Increase in body fat
- Decreased memory
- Loss of libido
- Loss of morning erection
- Depression
- Irritability
Benefits of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
Whether you are a man or a woman, restoring your hormonal levels and balance can change your life for the better in many ways. Here are some of the most common reported benefits of BHRT.
- Better sleep
- Higher energy level and stamina
- Restored libido
- Decreased body fat
- Increased lean muscle mass
- Greater success at weight loss
- Decreased anxiety and depression
- Improved memory and focus
- Increased skin elasticity
- Fewer wrinkles
- Increased bone density
- Reduced risk of certain diseases
- Menopause and andropause symptom relief
What is the next step?
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy has many benefits but it requires a thorough evaluation and lots of expertise to make sure it’s safe and effective. Scheduling a free phone consultation with Dr. Fleischman is a good starting point where you can ask questions and decide whether BHRT is right for you. Please click on the Schedule Free Consultation button below, pick a date and time, and have your questions answered.