Hormone therapy is the use of hormones to treat and restore hormone balance within the human body. Hormone imbalance can occur for a variety of reasons, but is most commonly associated with aging. Symptoms of hormone imbalance that are effectively treated with hormone replacement therapy include hot flashes, night sweats, irritability, anxiety, weight gain, muscle loss, joint pain, poor sleep, and more.
We have partnered with EVEXIAS Health Solutions. Premier Women’s Health offers bioidentical hormone replacement therapy integrated with functional medicine practices to help patients overcome the negative symptoms of hormone imbalance, as well as experience wellbeing and better health as they age. Every treatment plan is designed to suit the unique needs of each patient’s personal medical history, health status, and lifestyle preferences.
SYNTHETIC VS. BIOIDENTICAL HORMONE THERAPY
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) uses bioidentical hormones derived from natural sources and compounded to be an exact structural match to the hormones inside the human body.
Synthetic hormones are often derived from animals and combined with chemicals to create a hormone therapy that is similar, but not exactly like human hormones.
The natural ingredients combined with the molecular match allows bioidentical hormones to fit into human hormone receptors exactly as naturally-occurring hormones. This feature ensures the safety and efficacy of the treatment. With synthetic hormones, the molecular structure is merely similar, causing the body to struggle with recognition of the substance and, therefore, causing side effects and poor outcomes.
In the past, most research into hormone therapy focused on synthetic hormones, but as the effectiveness of bioidentical hormone therapy has become renowned, researchers are turning their attention to BHRT.
TYPES OF HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY
Patients suffering from conditions and symptoms of hormone imbalance, including menopause, andropause (also known as low testosterone in men), erectile dysfunction, vaginal dryness, pain with sex, difficulty sleeping, trouble losing weight, muscle aches, and moodiness can benefit from natural hormone replacement therapy. Bioidentical hormone therapy is available in a variety of delivery methods and are prescribed to meet the specific needs of each individual. These delivery methods include: creams/gels, patches, pills, injections and pellets.
Types of ‘HRT’ |
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| Creams/Gels |
Creams are a topical form of hormone replacement therapy and available for cyclical progesterone, testosterone, and estrogen therapies. You will receive a custom-compounded cream or gel to apply as directed by your physician to a specific area of the body. For example, men may apply testosterone cream to the testicles, while women may apply in the vagina.
While there are some advantages to creams and gels, there are many risks. The primary side effect reported is outcomes related to transference to a relationship spouse/partner, other family members or pets that you may come into contact with after application.
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| Patches |
Patches are another delivery method that offers convenient application and avoids errors in dosing. This option is available for estrogen therapy. A patch, much like a bandaid, is attached to the skin with the prescribed dose of hormones. The patch stays on the skin for a recommended time period, delivering hormones through the skin until a new patch is required. The visibility of the patch and the risk of the patch falling off often turns patients away from this method.
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| Pills |
Pills are a familiar form of hormone therapy. Much like many other oral medications, hormone replacement therapy pills are compounded to your prescribed dose and ingested at a specified frequency. Pills are among the most well-studied forms of hormone replacement therapy. It does come with higher-risk side effects, particularly when chosen for estrogen and testosterone therapies. Oral hormone therapy is classically prescribed for thyroid disorders and cyclical progesterone therapy.
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| Injections |
Hormone replacement therapy injections are commonly used for testosterone or estrogen therapy. There are two types of injections: intra-muscular and subcutaneous.
Intramuscular injections inject the hormones deep into the muscle tissue facilitating faster absorption into the bloodstream.
Subcutaneous injections penetrate just beneath the surface of the skin for a slower rate of absorption.
Injections are often less preferable than pellets because of the pain associated with the injection, as well as the intensity of the hormone delivery following the injection. Pellets offer a more stable, steady dose reducing the side effects throughout the dosing cycle.
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| Pellets |
Pellet therapy is among the oldest forms of hormone therapy, dating back to the 1930s. With the many advancements in technology, pellet therapy is now considered the most effective delivery method of hormone therapy and the preferred option among patients and providers.
Pellet therapy is available for estradiol and testosterone hormone replacement. The hormone is compounded into a tiny pellet and inserted into the upper layer of skin, just above the buttocks. Aside from the convenience of never having to remember to take a pill, slather on cream, or put on a patch, this delivery method is the most optimal for a natural dosing structure and bioavailability. Pellet therapy mimics the slow, steady dosing that occurs naturally within the ovaries or testicles of the human body. Your doctor will use your lab work, symptom assessment, lifestyle, and reaction to the therapy to achieve an optimal prescription. Pellet therapy is designed to meet the unique needs of the individual, so you get exactly what your body needs, when it needs it–much like nature intended.
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WHAT ARE THE SIGNS YOU NEED HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY?
Men and women who feel they may have lost their “zeal for life,” or frequently experience low energy, sleepless nights, hair loss, low or no desire for sex, hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, irritability and more are candidates for hormone replacement therapy. Hormone imbalance is often an unfortunate side effect of aging that can diminish your quality of life and impact relationships. Bioidentical hormone therapy has been shown to be particularly effective for both women and men with few side effects and added benefits, such as reduced risk of disease.
Hormone Imbalance Symptoms |
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| Both | Women | Men |
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HORMONE PELLET THERAPY FOR MEN
Bioidentical hormone pellet therapy for men provide natural restoration of testosterone, mimicking the natural structure and function of testosterone made by the human body.
Unlike other delivery methods, pellet therapy maximizes convenience and efficacy to achieve optimal results. During a routine appointment with your provider, a pellet is inserted under the top dermal layer of the skin near the upper buttock area. Over the course of 5 to 7 months, depending on your body’s needs and lifestyle, the pellet releases a steady dose of testosterone to support your body’s needs. For men who are more active or under high stress, more hormone is released—the same reaction as the body would have with natural testosterone.
HORMONE PELLET THERAPY FOR WOMEN
Hormone replacement pellet therapy is recognized as one of the most effective hormone therapy options. A number of studies have reported on the safety and efficacy of hormone replacement therapy.
Pellets are inserted under the skin near the hip or buttocks area during a routine appointment with your provider. After insertion, the pellet releases a steady dose of hormone(s) over 3 to 5 months depending on your activity and stress level–much like your natural hormones. This feature avoids the peaks and valleys commonly associated with other hormone replacement therapy delivery methods. Plus, you do not have to remember to take a pill each day or risk transference like you do with creams or gels. Women who choose hormone pellet therapy report an improvement in symptoms within a few weeks of beginning the treatment. Within a few months, most women report an improvement in other areas of their health an well-being, including better moods, more energy and an increased sex drive.
IS HORMONE THERAPY EFFECTIVE?
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been proven effective for the treatment of hormone imbalance related to conditions such as andropause (low testosterone in men), menopause, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), premenstrual dysmorphic disorder (PMDD), and thyroid dysfunction. HRT has also been shown to effectively reduce or eliminate symptoms of aging. When you choose bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, you are making a choice for a healthier, higher quality of life. Hormonal imbalances can be difficult to identify because the symptoms present very differently in different people. When you’re working on a tough project or getting ready for a big event, it’s normal to feel tired or moody, but when you are losing sleep night after night, chronically on edge with your spouse, or enduring hot flashes and inexplicable weight gain, it’s time to ask yourself, “How long have I been feeling like this?”
IS HORMONE THERAPY SAFE?
There have been a number of studies and meta-analyses reviewing the safety and efficacy of hormone therapy and bioidentical hormones. The outcomes suggest that bioidentical hormones are the safer, more effective option for treating conditions and symptoms of hormone imbalance when compared to methods of hormone therapy that use non-bioidentical hormone therapies. In addition to effectively treating hormone imbalance, other studies have linked bioidentical hormones to a reduced risk of cardiovascular complications and breast cancer when compared to non-bioidentical hormone therapies.
*All data provided by Evexias Health Solutions and EvexiPel. More details can be found on their website: https://www.evexias.com/hormone-therapy. All data and research provided herin was conducted by Evexias Health Solutions.