What is bioidentical hormone replacement?
Hormones affect a wide variety of bodily systems and functions. When they’re out of balance, so is your life. You may experience symptoms such as overwhelming fatigue, vaginal dryness, and hot flashes.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy restores your natural hormone balance. Bioidentical hormones are identical to human hormones, and your body uses them efficiently and effectively.
Where do bioidentical hormones come from?
While some bioidentical hormones are made by pharmaceutical companies, compounded bioidentical hormones are custom made at a pharmacy, according to your doctor’s treatment plan. This process, known as compounding, typically involves combining ingredients to meet your unique needs.
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved some forms of manufactured bioidentical hormones, including bioidentical estriol, a weak form of estrogen, and progesterone. However, the FDA hasn’t approved any custom-compounded bioidentical hormones.
Bioidentical hormones come in various forms, including:
- Pills
- Pellets (testosterone and estrogen)
- Patches
- Creams
- Gels
- Injections
At Viva Health Group, Dr. Bodnar inserts pellets just under the skin or administers therapy as a cream.
Am I a candidate for bioidentical hormone replacement therapy?
Women experiencing uncomfortable symptoms due to a hormone imbalance are possible candidates for hormone replacement therapy. Menopause is a common time for bioidentical hormone therapy as the erratic levels of estrogen often cause disruptive symptoms. These include:
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Mood swings and brain fog, cognitive dysfunction, decreased memory
- Vaginal dryness and diminished libido
- Headaches
- Sleep disturbances
- Weight gain
- Depression, mood changes, and irritability
- Reduced sex drive fatigue
- Loss of lean muscle mass
- Feeling very tired all the time (fatigue)
- Unexplained weight gain
Men can also experience a decline in hormones, namely testosterone, as they age, known as andropause. Low testosterone levels can also cause unpleasant symptoms, such as low sex drive, muscle loss, and poor sleep.
- Reduced sex drive fatigue, mood changes, cognitive dysfunction, decreased memory, low blood counts
- Reduced erectile function.
- Loss of lean muscle mass.
- Feeling very tired all the time (fatigue)
- Obesity (being overweight)
- Depression.
- Unexplained weight gain,
- Erectile dysfunction, poor libido,
- Sleep disturbances,
- Irritability and depression
If you’re approaching menopause or andropause and experiencing some or all of these symptoms, contact Viva Health Group to learn more about bioidentical hormone replacement therapy and to find out if bioidentical hormone therapy in the form of testosterone is a possible treatment and how it can help you.
What other benefits does bioidentical hormone therapy provide?
In addition to alleviating uncomfortable menopause or low testosterone symptoms, bioidentical hormones can offer:
- Maintenance of bone density
- Protection from arthritis, osteoporosis, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s disease
- Improved cardiovascular health
- Protective qualities for uterine, ovarian, breast, and prostate cancer
- Increased cognitive function and better memory
Bioidentical hormones as pellets just under your skin optimize your dosage. Your body gets the right amount of hormones when you need them.
The effects of the pellets last 3-4 months, after which Dr. Bodnar reevaluates your hormone status and modifies treatment if necessary.
To experience the benefits of bioidentical hormone replacement and restore your quality of life, call Viva Health Group, or book online today.
Hormones affect a wide variety of bodily systems and functions. When they’re out of balance, so is your life. You may suffer issues such as overwhelming fatigue, vaginal dryness, and hot flashes.
Some bioidentical hormones are made by drug companies. Others, known as compounded bioidentical hormones, are custom made by a pharmacy, according to a doctor’s orders. This process is known as compounding. Compounding typically involves ingredients being combined or altered to meet the needs of an individual.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved some forms of manufactured bioidentical hormones, including bioidentical estriol (a weak form of estrogen) and progesterone. However, the FDA hasn’t approved any custom-compounded bioidentical hormones.
