Hormone Replacement Therapy in Bellevue, WA
WHAT IS HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY?
Hormone therapy involves using hormones to treat and restore hormonal balance within the body. Many factors can cause hormone imbalances, but they are most commonly caused by aging. Hormone replacement therapy can effectively treat several symptoms associated with hormone imbalance, including hot flashes, night sweats, anxiety, irritability, weight gain, muscle loss, joint pain, and poor sleep.
We at Renew Wellness Center offer bioidentical hormone replacement therapy combined with functional medicine practices to address hormone imbalance symptoms and promote well-being and better health. Our treatment plans are tailored to each patient’s unique needs based on their medical history, health status, and lifestyle preferences.
SYNTHETIC VS. BIOIDENTICAL HORMONE THERAPY
The goal of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is to replace the hormones in the body with hormones derived from natural sources that are structurally identical to the hormones found in nature.
Synthetic hormones are often derived from animals and combined with chemicals to create a similar hormone therapy, but not exactly like human hormones.
Molecular matching and natural ingredients in bioidentical hormones ensure the treatment is safe and effective because they perfectly match human receptors. Since the molecular structure of synthetic hormones is similar, the body has trouble recognizing them, and, as a result, they cause side effects and poor results.
The majority of hormone therapy research in the past was devoted to synthetic hormones, but as bioidentical hormone therapy has become increasingly effective, researchers are turning to BHRT. As a natural hormone therapy option, bioidentical hormones have been hailed for their ability to prevent diseases and eliminate uncomfortable symptoms associated with aging.
The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) said hormone therapy was dangerous, the largest-ever study on hormone therapy at the time. This study compared estrogen alone and estrogen and progesterone together for efficacy. Several participants were of advanced age and had a higher risk of disease before the study began, and researchers used synthetic hormones. Due to these factors, many experts reviewed the study and found flaws in its methodology. Several medical organizations, experts, and communities have revised previous policies against hormone therapy based on the findings of these reviews. Since hormone replacement therapy has numerous benefits, it is widely believed to be the most effective way to treat hormone imbalances and prevent disease.
New research shows that bioidentical hormone therapy leads to better outcomes, resulting in fewer side effects and more significant benefits.
SYNTHETIC VS. BIOIDENTICAL HORMONE THERAPY
The goal of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is to replace the hormones in the body with hormones derived from natural sources that are structurally identical to the hormones found in nature.
Synthetic hormones are often derived from animals and combined with chemicals to create a similar hormone therapy, but not exactly like human hormones.
Molecular matching and natural ingredients in bioidentical hormones ensure the treatment is safe and effective because they perfectly match human receptors. Since the molecular structure of synthetic hormones is similar, the body has trouble recognizing them, and, as a result, they cause side effects and poor results.
The majority of hormone therapy research in the past was devoted to synthetic hormones, but as bioidentical hormone therapy has become increasingly effective, researchers are turning to BHRT. As a natural hormone therapy option, bioidentical hormones have been hailed for their ability to prevent diseases and eliminate uncomfortable symptoms associated with aging.
The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) said hormone therapy was dangerous, the largest-ever study on hormone therapy at the time. This study compared estrogen alone and estrogen and progesterone together for efficacy. Several participants were of advanced age and had a higher risk of disease before the study began, and researchers used synthetic hormones. Due to these factors, many experts reviewed the study and found flaws in its methodology. Several medical organizations, experts, and communities have revised previous policies against hormone therapy based on the findings of these reviews. Since hormone replacement therapy has numerous benefits, it is widely believed to be the most effective way to treat hormone imbalances and prevent disease.
New research shows that bioidentical hormone therapy leads to better outcomes, resulting in fewer side effects and more significant benefits.
TESTOSTERONE HORMONE THERAPY
Testosterone is widely regarded as the male hormone, but it is the hormone both men and women produce for optimal health. Testosterone contributes to the health of both men and women, including sexuality, brain function, and weight management. With aging, testosterone levels may decrease, resulting in fatigue, brain fog, low libido, inability to build muscle, or weight gain.
Using testosterone therapy, patients can identify and restore hormone levels to a state that will eliminate symptoms and improve their health and well-being. Testosterone therapy is available as injections, creams, or pellets. It also supports a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and heart attack.
It is widely recognized that testosterone pellet therapy is the most effective form of testosterone therapy.
DELIVERY METHODS OF HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY
There are different delivery methods available to meet the needs of your body when it comes to hormone replacement therapy. It is essential to talk to your hormone therapy doctor about which options are most effective and how to choose the right one for your lifestyle. You can choose from pills, patches, creams, gels, injections, and pellets.
Pellet therapy is one of the oldest forms of hormone therapy. Due to modern technology advancements, pellet therapy has become the most effective delivery method and is often preferred by patients and providers.
Estradiol and testosterone hormone replacement are available through pellet therapy. A pellet containing the hormone is inserted into the upper layer of the skin just above the buttocks, just above the skin. Besides being convenient, this delivery method allows for a natural dosing structure and bioavailability because it eliminates the need to take pills, slather on cream, or apply patches. A pellet therapy mimics the slow, steady dosing that occurs naturally within the ovaries or testicles. Pellets therapy is designed to meet the individual's unique needs so that you receive precisely what you need when needed. In other words, your doctor will consider your lab work, symptom assessment, lifestyle, and reaction to the therapy to determine what prescription is best for you.
For the treatment of cyclical progesterone, testosterone, or estrogen, creams are available as a topical form of hormone replacement therapy. The cream or gel you receive from your physician will be tailored to the specific area of the body you need to be treated. For example, testosterone cream may be applied to men's testicles, while testosterone cream may be used on women's vaginal areas.
Creams and gels have some advantages, but they also have many risks. The primary risk is that your cream or gel may be transferred from you to your spouse or partner, other family members, or pets after application.
Patches are another convenient delivery method that avoids errors in dosing and allows patients to apply the medication conveniently. Patches are also available for estrogen therapy.
This patch is similar to a band-aid in that it is applied to the skin with the hormone prescribed for the individual. It stays on for a specified time, delivering hormones through the skin until a new patch is required.
The visibility of the patch and the risk of it falling off often deter patients from using this method.
A hormone replacement therapy pill is a familiar form of hormone therapy. Like many other oral medications, hormone replacement therapy pills are prescribed by your doctor and taken on a prescribed schedule.
Hormone replacement therapy pills are one of the best-studied forms of hormone replacement therapy. The use of oral hormone therapy is traditionally prescribed for thyroid disorders and the treatment of cyclic progesterone deficiencies. However, it comes with higher risks of side effects, especially when selected for estrogen or testosterone therapies.
A hormone replacement therapy injection is used for testosterone or estrogen replacement therapy. There are two types of injections: intramuscular and subcutaneous.
Through intramuscular injections, hormones are injected deeply into the muscle tissue to facilitate rapid absorption into the bloodstream.
Subcutaneous injections penetrate just beneath the skin's surface for a slower absorption rate.
Pellets often have fewer side effects than injections due to the pain associated with them and the intensity of hormone delivery that follows an injection. Pellets provide a more consistent, steady dose, so side effects are reduced throughout the course of treatment.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS YOU NEED HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY?
Hormone replacement therapy is beneficial for men and women who feel they have lost their “zeal for life” and suffer from sleepless nights, hair loss, lack of interest in sex, hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, irritability, and other symptoms.
The result of hormonal imbalance can be detrimental to your quality of life and have adverse effects on your relationships. Bioidentical hormone therapy can benefit both women and men, reducing disease risk and improving your quality of life.
WOMEN AND MEN
HORMONE IMBALANCE SYMPTOMS CAN AFFECT ANYONE
Women and men tend to experience the following symptoms as a result of hormonal imbalance:
- UNEXPLAINED WEIGHT GAIN OR WEIGHT LOSS
- WEAK OR BRITTLE BONES
- POOR SLEEP
- ANXIETY OR IRRITABILITY
- LONG TERM FATIGUE W/O REASON
- HEADACHES
- LOW SEX DRIVE | LOW LIBIDO
- SKIN RASHES OR VERY DRY SKIN
- CHANGES IN SENSITIVITY TO COLD AND HEAT
- EXCESSIVE SWEATING
The list of symptoms goes on and on, so you must speak with your trusted medical provider to see if your symptoms indicate hormonal imbalance.
