Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hormones affect a multitude of pathways in the body.  Women may experience fluctuations in their hormone levels throughout the lifespan. Imbalances can occur due lifestyle and environmental factors, as well as expected changes, such as onset of menses, pregnancy, childbirth, perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause. Imbalances of hormones, including estrogen, progesterone and testosterone can lead to many uncomfortable experiences, like night sweats, hot flashes, mood swings, depression, and anxiety.  After age 35, progesterone begins to sharply decline in women, possibly leading to estrogen dominance.  When estrogen levels become unbalanced, women may experience symptoms such as low libido and bone loss. The bone loss that women experience due to declining estrogen levels can lead to osteoporosis and increase the likelihood of bone fractures. Adjustments to a woman’s hormone levels through bioidentical hormone therapy and lifestyle changes can reduce or eliminate these discomforts and improve overall health and well-being.

As men age, production of the hormone testosterone begins to decline and many men experience symptoms of low testosterone.  Testosterone is the hormone that is responsible for maintaining mental focus, energy, metabolism, muscle mass, fat levels, and sex drive. By balancing a man's hormones with bioidentical hormone therapy, men can restore vitality and reduce the symptoms of low testosterone (also known as "andropause").

If you are considering hormone replacement therapy (HRT), you may be experiencing symptoms that may be keeping you from feeling like yourself. Those symptoms may be the earliest signs of aging, such as foggy thinking, sleeplessness, muscle loss, or low energy. Furthermore, conditions of aging like menopause in women can cause hot flashes, mood swings, and weight gain while even post-menopausal women experience symptoms including but not limited to hair loss and low libido. Aging also has an effect on men known as andropause, which is caused by fluctuation of testosterone levels.

Human hormones play a significant role in maintaining proper function of the body. Whatever the reason you are seeking ways to feel better, the first step in determining if your symptoms are the result of a hormonal imbalance and that you are a candidate for bio-identical hormone replacement therapy, is comprehensive lab testing.

Lab testing at ABL will measure the current status of your natural hormones. Your ABL medical provider will use the results of this lab testing along with your medical history and current symptoms to make a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan. Hormonal imbalances may be treated with bio-identical hormones.

Bioidentical hormones are an exact structural replica of the hormones that are naturally produced by the body. The difference between bioidentical hormones and synthetic hormones is that, although both are created in labs, synthetic hormones are different from the hormones naturally created by your body.  In contrast, bioidentical hormones match human hormones molecule by molecule.

Depending on what your symptoms are and which hormone(s) your body needs, we may choose to prescribe bioidentical hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid hormones, DHEA, melatonin, or others as needed.

The difference between bioidentical hormones and synthetic hormones is two fold. First, synthetic (or "conventional") hormones are not created structurally the same as naturally occuring human hormones, which often leads uncomfortable side effects. While synthetic hormones can mimic the effects of endogenous hormones on certain biological pathways, they rarely offer the same effectiveness at a deeper, molecular level.  Additionally, synthetic hormones are offered in set dosages by the pharmaceutical companies and cannot be tailored to your specific needs.

In contrast, bioidentical hormones are an exact structural replica of hormones naturally made by the body.  So, side effects are rarely observed. There is also more flexibility with formulating the dosing of bioidentical hormones and, thus, they can be tailored specifically to your needs.

Traditional doctors do not usually have the time or the resources to seek expertise in bioidentical hormones. They are typically trained to prescribe synthetic hormones, which may be harmful to your body.

ABL medical providers undergo extensive training in bioidentical hormone therapy and have specialized knowledge of anti-aging medicine.

Bioidentical hormone therapy generally has very few potential side effects.  Most side effects are typically linked to dosage—as your hormone levels improve, your dosage may need to be adjusted. If you notice side effects, contact your ABL provider.

• Men and women have reported increased aggressiveness, acne or irritability during the initial phases of testosterone hormone therapy, but these issues are generally resolved as levels become balanced.
• Some women have reported breast tenderness, spotting, cramping, and bloating. These symptoms may be experienced initially with estrogen hormone treatment, but resolve as hormone levels become balanced.

It is always recommended that you communicate side effects to your ABL provider so the problem can be promptly addressed.