Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

Each year, millions of women and men reach an age where sex hormone production drops drastically. This natural change can happen in your 40s and 50s, and in some cases earlier. You may have noticeable symptoms, such as weight gain, hot flashes, or trouble concentrating, or you may just notice that you don't feel like yourself.

Hormone replacement (HRT) therapy can replace lost hormones and help you feel like yourself again. Our team at PharmXHealthOne specializes in anti-aging medicine, and we can help you feel good and function your best as you get older.

In this blog, we explain what hormone replacement therapy is and how it can help you maintain your vitality.

What is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy?

When it comes to hormone replacement therapy, we specialize in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). Bioidentical hormones have the same molecular shape, composition, and structure as hormones produced by the human body. This gives bioidentical hormones the ideal "keys" to unlock the receptor sites of the body.

Hormones are composed of a solid steroid base (cholesterol) that has attachments, and it's these attachments that transform hormones into specialized molecules. Hormones connect to receptor molecules throughout the body, activating and inhibiting a great deal of the cellular function that maintains health.

When you take hormonal replacement therapy that does not correspond to the original blueprint that your cells have grown to recognize, the results may not feel quite right. The structure of bioidentical hormones, on the other hand, is identical to what your body makes naturally.

If BHRT could help you, your provider may recommend you get your treatment by way of pills, patches, creams, gels, or injections. In some cases, your provider may recommend a combination of these methods.

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy for women

Most women reach menopause in their 50s, which is when you haven't had a period for 12 consecutive months. However, the ovaries don't shut down their production suddenly and swiftly. Instead, hormone levels drop over the course of several years (perimenopause) and symptoms often develop as a result.

In addition to women going through perimenopause each year, around 2 million women start the transition through menopause, and about 75% of them have symptoms bothersome enough to interfere with their daily lives.

If you're in perimenopause or menopause, you're likely to experience:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Insomnia
• Low energy
• Reduced sex drive
• Changes in mood
• Vaginal dryness
• Trouble losing weight
• Problems focusing
• Memory issues

In the past, women dealt with these symptoms and even considered it a rite of passage. Today, however, you have the option to correct the underlying hormonal imbalance with BHRT and relieve your symptoms, so you can thrive through the "change."

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy for men

Hormone replacement therapy isn't just for women. Male sex hormone production gets sluggish with age, too. For you to feel your best, your body relies on a balance of hormones, among other things. When there's an imbalance, you may experience:

• Reduced muscle mass
• Tiredness
• Erectile dysfunction
• Low libido
• Muscle weakness
• Low mood

Many men mistake their symptoms for stress, without realizing that their hormones are to blame, and that there's a solution that can restore their vitality. Hormone imbalance and testosterone deficiency isn't just your father's problem. Did you know that nearly 40% of men aged 45 and over have lower than normal testosterone? Many men with low testosterone are unaware of it and remain untreated as a result.

Not only does bioidentical hormone therapy relieve hormone imbalance symptoms, it also protects your health. Sex hormones play a role in keeping your bones strong and your heart healthy, and the earlier you rebalance your hormones, the better. When sex hormones dip too low, the risk of heart disease and bone loss increases. In a study published by the University of Southern California, starting hormone replacement therapy within six years of menopause helped to prevent heart disease.

If you're considering hormone replacement therapy, our experienced team of experts can answer your questions and discuss the benefits and risks to help you make the right decision. To get started, book an appointment online or over the phone with PharmXhealthOne today. We have offices in Boynton Beach and Port Saint Lucie, Florida.