It seems that the more we know, the more we don’t know. New research is constantly emerging on a variety of health topics, but there is a common underlying theme — hormone balance. Did you know that men lose 3 percent of their testosterone a year starting around age 30, or that symptoms of estrogen deficiency in women may begin 15 years before menopause hits?
In aging men and women, as the body’s production of testosterone and estrogen significantly declines, a self-perpetuating cycle of hormonal imbalance is born. Physical, emotional, and psychological stress feed the chemical imbalance in our bodies, which amplifies the perceived effects of day-to-day stressors, which further breeds more hormone imbalance. Symptoms include, but are not limited to fatigue, mood swings, depression, tension, lack of sleep, memory loss, decreased sex drive, loss of erections, hot flashes, weight gain, joint pain, and migraine headaches.
Most people are aware of testosterone’s importance in male sexual function, but it is also needed for optimal female sexual function, too. Lesser known, but equally important, is the role of testosterone in supporting the brain, bone, heart, and joint health of both sexes. For women, estrogen is essential in maintaining bone density, skin elasticity, and memory, controlling hot flashes, reducing risk of colon cancer, and improving one’s mood.
There are many therapies on the market to restore hormonal balance in men and women — injections, pills, creams, gels, and patches, to name a few. But most are synthetic preparations with a host of negative effects, including increased risk of stroke, heart attack, certain cancers, liver toxicity…and the list goes on.
According to Harvard Women’s Health Watch, “The interest in a more natural approach to hormone therapy has focused attention to bioidentical hormones. These are hormones that are identical in molecular structure to the hormones women naturally make in their bodies. They’re not found in this form in nature but are made, or synthesized, from a plant chemical extracted from yams and soy. Technically, the body can’t distinguish bio-identical hormones from the ones your ovaries produce.”
Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) has been shown to improve quality of life, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks, and reduce the bone loss associated with osteoporosis. BHRT pellets are an example of this treatment modality, which provide a steady state of hormone release into the body, with individualized dosing, based on one’s needs. The pellet is slightly larger than a rice grain, and when inserted under the skin, provides continuous therapy for 3-6 months.
Marci, a Brazos Medical Associates patient said, “I love that I have more energy, increased libido, and a lot less muscle and joint pain. It’s great to get pelleted once every three to four months and not have to take any pills or use creams on a daily basis.” Her husband Mark said, “I’ve noticed that my stamina and libido have increased, and I have a lot more energy!”
Not all hormone therapies are created equal, and it’s not a “one-size-fits-all” treatment plan. That’s why it’s important to work closely with a physician to decide what’s best for you and your body. Dr. Noreen Johnson and Dr. Riva Robinson at Brazos Medical Associates are the leading bio-identical hormone replacement therapy experts in the Brazos Valley. Call 979.764.4043 to set up your consultation today to find out about the best bio-identical hormone replacement therapy to achieve a balanced state for your body.
Source: Hormone Therapy Centers of America and Harvard Women’s Health Watch
compiled by Ariel Rosentswieg