Hormones are chemical messengers that regulate many essential bodily functions. They are produced by glands and released into the bloodstream, traveling to tissues and organs to deliver messages that coordinate growth, metabolism, reproduction, mood, and more.
When hormone levels rise too high or dip too low, you may begin experiencing symptoms associated with a hormone imbalance. Symptoms can vary greatly between individuals but may include:
If you are experiencing any symptoms that are impacting your quality of life, hormone testing is an important first step toward understanding and addressing hormone imbalances through treatment methods like hrt treatment.
There are a variety of potential causes for hormone imbalances, including:
Treatment is often necessary to get hormones back into optimal ranges, providing symptom relief and reducing the risk of associated health conditions.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) involves supplementing your body with tiny amounts of hormones to make up for natural deficits.
It is primarily used to treat common symptoms of menopause related to declining estrogen. However, HRT may also be used to correct imbalances of other hormones like testosterone, progesterone, thyroid hormones, melatonin, DHEA, growth hormone, and cortisol.
There are different delivery methods for supplying hormones to the body:
The goal is to supplement just enough hormones to alleviate symptoms and restore optimal function, without raising levels unnaturally high. This requires finding the lowest effective hormonal dose through careful monitoring and dosage adjustments.
Treatment plans are tailored to your individual hormonal needs and health profile based on symptoms, medical history, lab testing, and more.
When hormones are balanced properly with HRT, patients often report significant benefits such as:
Additionally, balancing key hormones can have protective effects against many age-related diseases.
As with any medical treatment, there are some risks and potential side effects to evaluate with your healthcare provider:
Proper hormonal dosing and consistency helps minimize risks. Forms of therapy delivered directly to vaginal tissue tend to have less systemic effects as well.
Routine follow-up and lab testing ensures your hormone plan remains optimized for your changing needs over time.
Keywords: natural hormone replacement therapy, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, compounded bioidentical hormones
There are two main categories of hormones used in HRT:
Bioidentical hormones are identical on a molecular level to the hormones naturally produced in the human body.
They are custom-formulated in compounding pharmacies using plant sources like soy beans and wild yams. By slightly altering the chemical structure of the plant hormones, compounds can be created that perfectly match human hormones like estrogen, progesterone and testosterone.
Synthetic hormones are chemically different than the ones produced naturally in your body. Some examples include:
Synthetics are declining in popularity while demand for customized bioidentical hormones continues to grow. Work with your healthcare provider to determine what type may be best for your situation.
There are a variety of different hormones that can become imbalanced and require optimization through HRT. Some of the most common hormones impacted are highlighted below:
Testosterone is essential for health in both men and women. As the primary male sex hormone, it plays a vital role in muscle growth, metabolism, sexual function, energy, strength, motivation, and cognitive abilities.
Testosterone production peaks in early adulthood then gradually declines approximately 1% per year. Deficiencies become more pronounced with age. Other causes include:
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can be life-changing for men and women who suffer from clinically low levels. Benefits include:
Follow up regularly to ensure treatment plan remains effective over the long term.
Estrogen is responsible for female sexual development and function. It plays a role in approximately 400 different processes in the body. Levels remain abundant until menopause occurs around age 50.
The rapid drop in estrogen during the menopausal transition is responsible for some of the most disruptive symptoms women face:
Estrogen replacement therapy can provide tremendous relief by restoring hormonal balance.
Estrogen is often combined with micronized progesterone as necessary to provide protection against uterine cancer that estrogen alone may elevate.
Follow up with your practitioner to ensure you remain on the most appropriate estrogen dose over time.
Thyroid hormones T3 and T4 play an important role regulating metabolism, energy, weight, mood, heart rate, body temperature and digestion.
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) is a common cause of unwarranted weight gain, fatigue and mood changes. Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) speeds up the metabolism too quickly.
Symptoms can vary but may include:
- Sudden weight loss - Rapid heart rate/palpitations - Heat sensitivity - Sweating - Shaking hands - Diarrhea - Muscle weakness - Difficulty sleeping
Treating thyroid disorders with thyroid hormone replacements can relieve symptoms and help you feel like yourself again.
Synthroid (Levothyroxine) is typically prescribed to restore healthy functioning. Adjusting dosage levels is often necessary during treatment to optimize thyroid function based on ongoing symptoms and lab results.
Follow up regularly with your healthcare provider to ensure proper thyroid management.
Hormone therapy can help improve memory and cognitive function in postmenopausal women. A 2017 study found that women who received estrogen-based hormone therapy for an average of 5 years performed better on tests of verbal memory and global cognition compared to women who never took hormones. The cognitive benefits lasted for years after stopping treatment.
Hormone imbalances can develop slowly over many years before bothersome symptoms drive patients to seek medical advice. However, experts caution it is best not to wait before getting treatment.
There are good reasons to pursue diagnosis and hormone optimization therapy promptly if you suspect an imbalance:
1. Symptom Relief - Restoring hormones to optimal ranges can greatly alleviate issues that disturb sleep, mood, sexual function, energy, mental clarity, body composition and overall quality of life. Feeling your best has wide-ranging health benefits.
2. Bone Protection - Estrogen deficiency dramatically elevates risks for osteoporosis and bone fractures. Early treatment preserves bone mineral density to prevent this crippling disease.
3. Heart Disease Prevention - Once women pass through menopause, their risks for cardiovascular disease equals that of men. Balancing estrogen levels helps keep heart risks lower.
4. Reduce Disease Progression - Hormone imbalances often worsen gradually over time. This slowly progresses symptoms and complicates treatment plans. Addressing issues early is more likely to slow advancement.
5. Healthier Aging Process - Avoiding complications of hormonal disorders promotes greater vitality, independence and engagement with life during the aging process. Who doesn't want that?
Finding an experienced hrt provider you can trust is key to achieving a successful outcome with hormone replacement therapy.
Elite Hormone Therapy takes an integrative approach focused on precision balancing of hormones based on your unique needs and objectives:
For hormone replacement therapy you can trust, choose the knowledgeable team at Elite Hormone Therapy serving Montgomery. Call and schedule your first appointment today.
While the right bioidentical hormone therapy serves as the foundation of treatment, certain lifestyle measures also support optimal response:
Nutrition: Follow a Mediterranean style diet full of colorful vegetables, high fiber foods, plant fats, and lean proteins. Minimize sugar, refined grains and processed foods that can exacerbate hormone imbalance symptoms. Ask about testing for food sensitivities.
Exercise: Engage in 30-60 minutes of exercise most days involving a mix of strength training, flexibility and gentle cardio. Yoga, walking and water workouts suit menopausal women well. Avoid over-exertion.
Stress Relief: Make time each day for relaxing practices like deep breathing, meditation, massage, nature immersion, or sipping herbal tea. Chronic stress worsens hormone imbalance.
Quality Sleep: Prioritize at least 7-8 hours nightly, maintain a consistent bedtime ritual, limit caffeine and alcohol, and create an environment conducive to sound slumber through comfort measures like blackout curtains.
Community: Surround yourself with a strong network of supportive friends and family. Join groups with similar health interests. Feelings of loneliness and isolation exacerbate hormone imbalance.
Alternative Therapies: Consider acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, physical therapy, floating pods, infrared saunas, CBD and adaptogens. Many patients report benefits from integrating complementary modalities.
A comprehensive approach enhances your hormone optimization results. Partner with our clinic to actualize your fullest healing potential.
Montgomery boasts a variety of useful health resources, relaxing recreation and entertainment options to support your hormone optimization journey:
- Montgomery Integrative Medicine - Auburn Integrative Health - River Region Chiropractic
- East Montgomery YMCA - Planet Fitness - Orangetheory Fitness
- Pintlala Creek Park - Roland Cooper State Park - Fews Ford Preserve
- Serenity Spa Montgomery - Woodhouse Day Spa - Spa Elia
- Harvest Restaurant - Central Fresh Market & Deli - Dreamland BBQ
- Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts - Freedom Rides Museum - Rosa Parks Library and Museum
Rejuvenating places abound in the River Region. Surround yourself with supportive environments and people that de-stress and inspire while undergoing treatment.
