Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) for Men & Women

Hormones play critical roles in nearly every bodily function, from metabolism and mood to sexual health and cognition. As we age, the very hormones that maintain our most critical functions start to decline. When your hormones fall out of balance, the effects can ripple through your entire system.

Hormones regulate numerous critical bodily functions, including:

• Sleeping and waking

• Reproduction

• Sexual function and drive

• Growth, development, and maintenance of bone, muscle, and other tissues

• Mood, thoughts, and behaviors

• Metabolism/energy production

• Body temperature

• Homeostasis (maintaining the proper balance of blood sugar, blood pressure, electrolytes, and more)

• Immune function

Hormones are essential for life and good health. They control nearly every aspect of our lives, from how we think to how we function and feel on a day-to-day basis.

By replacing and optimizing our hormones, research has shown we can often improve longevity and quality of life dramatically. 

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) gives your body the tools it needs to function at its best, naturally. BHRT uses hormones that are molecularly identical to those your body naturally produces to supplement your hormone levels. This means they fit precisely into your body’s hormone receptors, mimicking the function of your own hormones to help you function optimally. 

Traditional hormone replacement therapy uses synthetic hormones that are similar, but not identical, to the hormones naturally produced in the human body. This may lead to a less natural interaction with the body’s systems and more side effects.

Bioidentical hormones are derived from plant sources yet chemically identical to human hormones. This closer match to your natural hormones may result in better tolerance, and many patients report fewer side effects.

BHRT is also appealing because of its natural quality, and because it gives us more control over the doses. HRT comes in standard doses, which means there is less opportunity to customize the treatment to suit your needs.

Hormone Optimization for Men

Male hormone optimization focuses on restoring and maintaining optimal levels of testosterone, DHEA, thyroid, and other hormones in men. 

Treatment for men aims to address symptoms of hormone imbalance may include:

• Low energy or fatigue

• Lack of motivation

• Decreased libido

• Loss of muscle mass

• Sleep disturbances

• Mood changes, including feelings of anxiety or depression 

Potential Benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy for Men may include:

• Improved mood and sense of well-being

• Restored motivation and drive

• Improved memory, focus, and cognition

• Increased lean muscle mass and athletic performance

• Decreased visceral fat

• Decreased cholesterol levels

• Improved quality of sleep

• Increased sex drive and sexual performance

• Improved cardiovascular health

• Increased bone density

• Protection for the cardiovascular, neurologic, musculoskeletal, vascular, and immune systems

Female hormone optimization involves balancing estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, thyroid, and other hormones in women. This treatment is commonly used to manage symptoms of perimenopause, menopause, PCOS, and other hormonal issues. 

Treatment for women aims to address symptoms of hormone imbalance may include:

• Brain fog, memory loss, or difficulty concentrating

• Mood changes, including feelings of anxiety or depression

• Sleep disturbances

• Weight gain

• Heavy or irregular menstrual cycles

• Infertility 

• Low libido or sexual dysfunction

• Vaginal dryness

• Hair loss

• Thinning skin 

• Hot flashes

• Fatigue and vaginal atrophy

• Frequent urinary track infections

Potential Benefits of Hormone Optimization for Women may Include:

• Increased energy

• Increased bone density

• Improved memory, focus and cognition

• Promotes feelings of wellbeing and contentment

• Increase lean muscle

• Decrease visceral fat

• Increased libido and sexual satisfaction

• Reduced appearance of wrinkle and thin skin

• Quality of sleep improves

• Improved cardiovascular health

• Reduction of hot flashes and night sweats

• May protect against heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and some cancers

• Improve quality of sleep

Thyroid Hormone Replacement Therapy

Thyroid disorders affect an estimated 200 million people worldwide, and many people remain undiagnosed. Because the thyroid influences nearly every system in the body, thyroid dysfunction can cause a wide range of symptoms that often develop gradually and are easily overlooked. 

That’s why at Optimum Health & Wellness Clinic we take a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to evaluating thyroid health. We consider your symptoms, medical history, lifestyle and appropriate laboratory testing. 

Thyroid Hormone Deficiency Symptoms may include:

• Low energy, fatigue, or lethargy

• Memory fog/difficulty concentrating

• Weight gain and difficulty losing weight

• Muscle and joint pain

• Mental and mood changes, such as depression, low motivation, and forgetfulness

• Cold intolerance

• Cold hands and feet

• Hair loss

• Dry, brittle hair and nails, dry skin

• Constipation

• Low libido

• Thinning outer third of eyebrows

• Thinning eyelashes

• Insulin resistance

Potential benefits of thyroid hormone replacement therapy may include:

• Improved body temperature and warmth

• Fat loss, faster metabolism

• Improved depression, memory, and mood

• Thicker, healthier hair, skin, and nails

• Thicker, fuller, eyelashes and eyebrows

• More energy, less fatigue

• Better sleep

• Increased libido

• Decreased insulin resistance and cholesterol

• Improved menstrual regularity and fertility in females