About Bioidentical Hormone Pellet Therapy
Hormone replacement therapy isn’t a new technology. The FDA approved the first hormone treatment for menopausal women in 1942.
Since then, advancements in medical technology have paved the way for bioidentical hormone therapies.
But what exactly are bioidentical hormones? And who needs bioidentical hormone pellet replacement therapy?
Keep reading this guide for the answer to these two questions and many more. Plus, stick around to learn where you can find hormone replacement therapy in Tempe.
What Is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is a treatment for the effects of aging. Hormone replacement treatments may also help individuals suffering from a hormone imbalance.
Men and women can undergo BHRT. However, BHRT is slightly more common among women. That’s because hormone replacement is particularly useful for treating the symptoms of menopause.
Compared to traditional hormones, bioidentical hormones are unique. Scientists create these hormones to be identical to the ones the human body makes.
Further, bioidentical hormones are an exact match for the person who uses them. This custom-fit approach may reduce hormone therapy-related side effects and, potentially, better results.
Bioidentical vs Synthetic Hormones
You can compare and contrast BHRT with traditional hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Like BHRT, HRT utilizes synthetic hormones. Yet, scientists make these synthetic hormones from questionable ingredients. For example, some traditional hormone products come from the urine of pregnant horses.
Scientists produce bioidentical hormones from plant estrogens. Plant estrogens are less processed and more natural than the synthetic hormones used in traditional HRT.
Why Choose Bioidentical Hormone Pellet Therapy?
There are many different ways to administer bioidentical hormones. Doctors can prescribe hormone pills, patches, creams, and gels. Injections are also a common method of administration for BHRT.
So, why choose hormone pellet therapy? First, you need to understand how pellet therapy works.
A doctor will insert 2–3 hormone pellets beneath the skin. The hormones then travel directly into the bloodstream.
The pellets are extended-release. That means they don’t administer the full dose of hormones all at once. Instead, the hormones will gradually travel into your bloodstream over time.
Pellets produce fewer and milder side effects than oral and injectable bioidentical hormones. They also allow for faster absorption compared to hormone creams, patches, and gels.
Types of Bioidentical Hormone Pellet Therapies
By now, you may be thinking: bioidentical hormone therapy sounds great! But what hormones come in bioidentical pellets? At Desert Wellness, we can prescribe DHEA, thyroid, and cortisol hormone therapies.
Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are the most common types of hormone therapies.
Estrogen
Estrogen is the primary hormone produced by the female body. This hormone feminizes the body during development and puberty. Estrogen also regulates reproductive function as women reach maturity and declines after menopause.
Bioidentical estrogen therapy comes in two forms: estradiol and estriol.
Menopausal women use estradiol therapy to alleviate symptoms like dry skin and headaches. Estradiol replacement therapy may also reduce the risk of stroke, diabetes, and dementia.
Estriol is a weaker type of estrogen. It offers many of the same benefits as estradiol but, because it’s weaker, fewer side effects. Some estriol bioidentical therapies are FDA-approved.
Progesterone
Progesterone is best known as the pregnancy hormone. Having too little progesterone is also associated with migraines and moodiness.
Restoring your body’s progesterone levels may eliminate menopausal hot flashes and sleep issues. Progesterone may also combat age-related cognitive decline when taken by pre-menopausal women.
Testosterone
Testosterone is best known as the male hormone. What you may not know, though, is that women also need testosterone. Although women don’t need near as much testosterone as men.
Getting bioidentical testosterone replacement therapy can boost mood, sex drive, and energy levels. It may help cut abdominal fat that accumulates with age.
Research shows that testosterone may reduce cardiovascular disorder and breast cancer risk. Testosterone BHRT may also help improve bone density and ward off arthritic conditions.
Bioidentical Hormone Therapy Results
BHRT is most commonly used to treat menopausal symptoms in women. During this time in a woman’s life, natural hormone levels start to decline.
Declining hormones cause many of the symptoms associated with menopause, including:
- Hot flashes
- Moodiness
- Difficulty remembering
- Insomnia
Bioidentical pellet therapy mimics the effects of natural hormones. So, it stands to reason that BHRT can reverse many of the above symptoms.
But that’s not the only way hormone therapy can benefit you. Studies show that BHRT may reduce the risk of diabetes, cataracts, and tooth loss. These symptoms are commonly seen in people with hormonal imbalances.
Most importantly, bioidentical hormone therapy for women may lead to:
- Weight loss
- Increased energy
- Anti-aging effects for the skin and hair
- Increased sex drive
Even men can benefit from bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Some men experience a condition called andropause in middle to old age. Andropause occurs when testosterone levels begin to decline.
Symptoms of andropause are highly similar to the symptoms of menopause. Andropause side effects include exhaustion, lower sex drive, weight gain, muscle loss, and mood swings. BHRT can help alleviate these symptoms.
Want to take advantage of any or all of the above benefits? Then it’s time you scheduled a BHRT pellet treatment near you.
What Are the Bioidentical Hormone Side Effects?
Both traditional HRT and BHRT may cause side effects. HRT may increase your risk for blood clotting, stroke, heart disease, and breast cancer. Commonly reported BHRT side effects are breakouts and water weight retention.
The good news about BHRT-specific side effects? All the above symptoms tend to go away as your body adjusts to the increased level of hormones.
Schedule Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy in Tempe, Arizona
BHRT is a safe and effective treatment for women experiencing the symptoms of menopause or a hormone imbalance. For example, the connection between hormone therapy and weight loss is well-documented.
Are you searching for bioidentical hormone pellet therapy in Tempe, Arizona? The Desert Wellness Center is here to help with your health journey. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our BHRT treatments!