The human endocrine system is responsible for regulating complex processes in the body through the release of hormones. These chemical messengers control everything from metabolism, growth and development, tissue function, sexual function, reproduction, sleep, and mood. When the endocrine system is not functioning properly and hormone levels decline or become imbalanced, it can lead to a host of symptoms and health issues. Reestablishing optimal hormone levels through bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is crucial for both men and women as they age in order to maintain wellness.
Bioidentical hormones are structurally identical versions of endogenous human hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, etc. that are custom-formulated to match the exact chemical structure of hormones made naturally by the body. They are plant-derived and bioengineered to be biologically equivalent versions of our body’s own hormones in order to seamlessly integrate and function optimally within the body’s natural processes.
Doctors who prescribe bioidentical hormones customize treatment plans with specialized pharmacies after thorough lab testing and evaluation to address an individual's unique hormone deficiencies or imbalances. Compounded bioidentical hormone therapy can be adapted in type, dosage, and delivery method over time as needs change during different life stages.
There are several key hormones that bioidentical hormone doctors frequently help patients to optimize, either individually or in combination.
Estrogen is essential for physical, mental, and emotional health in both women and men. Normal levels regulate female sexual development and reproduction, support cardiovascular and bone health, influence cognition and mood regulation, and impact skin, hair, weight management, and many other processes.
As women transition through perimenopause and menopause, declining estrogen contributes to symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, irregular periods, trouble sleeping, weight gain, low libido, anxiety, brain fog, and mood changes. Men also require balanced estrogen for sperm production, bone and muscle mass, fat distribution, and healthy brain function.
Replacement with bioidentical estrogen helps to relieve deficiency symptoms, protect long-term health, and prevent conditions like osteoporosis and heart disease for both sexes.
Progesterone works synergistically with estrogen to regulate the menstrual cycle and support pregnancy in women. In perimenopause, ratios between estrogen and progesterone become imbalanced leading to more severe PMS, fatigue, and irregular bleeding.
After menopause, progesterone levels significantly decline. Research shows that combining bioidentical progesterone with estrogen therapy provides superior health outcomes compared to estrogen alone.
Benefits include stabilizing mood, promoting restful sleep, supporting cognitive function, maintaining bone mineral density, aiding weight loss, and providing breast cancer preventative effects.
Testosterone plays a vital role in physical, mental, and sexual health for both men and women. Normal levels stimulate libido and sexual function, build lean muscle mass, mobilize fat, bolster energetic mood, enhance cognition, and support cardiovascular health.
In andropause (the male version of menopause), testosterone production slows leading to low T symptoms like low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, depleted muscle tone, weight gain, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and memory problems.
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) with bioidentical testosterone helps normalize levels to effectively improve this deficiency induced symptomology. Customized treatment helps men regain optimal stamina, strength, endurance, virility, and an overall sense of vitality.
For women, small but vital amounts of testosterone also decline with age. Supplementing low levels through bioidentical testosterone therapy can dramatically rekindle libido, energy, stamina, lean body composition, skin tone, motivation, and cognition.
The practitioners at New Beginnings HRT Clinic specialize in precision bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). We closely analyze your hormone tests, biomarkers, family history, genetics, symptoms, and health goals to develop fully personalized treatment plans.
Protocols are specifically tailored to your individual hormone needs and can be adjusted over time. We partner with specialized compounding pharmacies to formulate customized bioidentical hormones in the ideal potency, dosage, and delivery method to optimize restoration of healthy hormone balance.
Hormone levels fluctuate daily and decline at different rates as we age. We track your biomarkers and symptoms on a continuous basis to calibrate your bioidentical hormones for ideal balance as your requirements evolve.
Our practitioners are available to collaboratively support you through every phase of treatment. We help patients implement adjunct diet, exercise, stress reduction, and supplementation strategies to amplify the benefits of BHRT.
Balancing hormones is foundational, but truly optimal wellness stems from a multidimensional approach. Our functional medicine practitioners construct comprehensive plans to identify and address the root causes of hormone dysfunction.
We overlay nutrition, nutraceuticals, detox protocols, gut healing, adrenal support, thyroid optimization, chronic infection treatment, fitness, mind-body practices, and other modalities onto bioidentical HRT to treat you as a whole person rather than isolated symptoms. This holistic methodology allows us to restore robust long term health beyond basic hormone correction.
Bioidentical hormones are not necessarily safer or more effective than synthetic hormones for menopause symptoms. Although marketed as "natural," the risks and benefits of bioidenticals are still being researched. More data is needed to determine if they are truly a better option than conventional hormone therapy.
Declining or unbalanced hormones commonly manifest the following indications:
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, laboratory testing can uncover specific hormone deficiencies or imbalances contributing to this suboptimal state of health. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy administered by a trained hormone specialist provides safe and effective treatment.
Correcting hormone decline and imbalance with properly dosed bioidentical hormone therapy yields profound whole-body benefits:
Doctors who prescribe bioidentical hormones use them for hormone replacement because bioidentical hormones are structurally identical to the hormones produced by the human body. This allows them to:
These unique characteristics make bioidentical hormone therapy the gold standard for hormonal balancing strategies.
The three main estrogens produced by women before menopause are estradiol, estrone, and estriol. The most biologically potent is estradiol.
Bioidentical versions of all three are synthesized from soy and yam plants. Doctors who prescribe bioidentical hormones use Biest to indicate a combination estriol/estradiol product blended in proportions similar to what the body produces.
Low dose Biest creams are generally the first line for estrogen restoration in women transitioning through perimenopause into menopause. Transdermal creams allow for favorable metabolism while avoiding digestive issues and liver burden.
As the ovaries shut down estrogen production over years, doses are titrated up while continuing to balance the estrogen mix similar to natural ratios. This buffers spikes and fluctuations for optimal symptom relief with excellent safety.
Estradiol levels can alternatively be measured and directly replaced independent of the other estrogens. This precision dosing strategy is often employed in later postmenopausal years.
Bioidentical progesterone is plant-derived, structurally identical to the progesterone produced by the ovaries, and metabolized cleanly by the body. It is most commonly prescribed as Prometrium - an oral micronized natural progesterone capsule easily dosed to match production across the menstrual cycle.
Transdermal progesterone creams provide another effective restore low levels, especially when estrogen therapy is utilized. Custom compounded creams allow for proper physiological ratios between progesterone and estrogens.
Declining testosterone causes symptoms in both men and women. Androgen deficiency contributes to loss of muscle mass, strength, stamina, memory, and libido.
Bioidentical testosterone therapy restores healthy levels to alleviate this symptomology. In men, testosterone is replaced to target levels similar to peak production earlier in life.
For women, precise lower doses supplement the small amounts normally made in the ovaries and adrenal glands for balanced energy, sexual function, lean muscle mass, and emotional regulation.
Testosterone pellets, injections, oral troches, and transdermal gels or creams can all be effectively utilized to optimize levels. Close monitoring helps calibrate dosing tailored to your unique needs as they evolve.
Conclusion
Balancing declining hormones through precision bioidentical hormone replacement therapy allows both men and women to look and feel youthful while enhancing vitality and reducing disease risk as they age. IXEL Hormones specializes in fully customized plans tailored to your unique physiology using cutting edge testing, premium hormones, modern delivery methods, and holistic protocols. Optimizing hormones serves as a foundation tosupport whole person healthspan, quality of life and longevity outcomes. Contact us today to see if you might benefit from our discriminating services.
