Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
By Dr. Carolina Young
As we age, both men and women will start to experience symptoms of hormonal imbalance. For men, this is called andropause, and for women, it’s connected to perimenopause, menopause or postmenopause.
The symptoms for males and females are very similar. For men, as they age and their hormonal testosterone levels begin to decline, most men will experience a lack of energy, low libido, loss of muscle, weight gain, decreased mental focus, hair loss and low metabolism.
Females tend to experience an imbalance of estrogen and testosterone, which can lead to hot flashes, night sweats, anxiety, depression, brain fog, weight gain, loss of muscle, irritability and bone deficiency.
Hormonal levels can be adjusted through bio-identical hormone therapy, which alleviates or in many cases eliminates the associated symptoms and life fluctuations surrounding hormones. There are even studies now that suggest bio-identical hormones can help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Bio-Identical Hormones
In the U.S., bio-identical Hormone Therapy (BHT) has been used since the 1930s. And based on hundreds of current medically thorough studies, the results for patient’s overall quality of life and dramatic changes in their hormonal symptoms are astounding.
Bio-identical hormones are equal to our body’s natural hormones on a molecular level. The difference between synthetic and identical hormones is that synthetic hormones do not match human hormones on a biological level.
Bio-identical hormones are made from plant sources and are readily received by the body as natural and normal. They are much more therapeutic and effective than synthetic hormonal substances.
Why Testosterone?
Females need a steady level of testosterone and estrogen in their bodies for overall health and well-being on many levels. However, a common misconception is that women need high levels of flowing estrogen. This is not the case. Consequently, female bodies need circulating testosterone, which enables the body to produce and regulate how much estrogen is necessary. In short, testosterone naturally governs estrogen levels within the cellular structure.
Many women are skeptical of testosterone therapy for menopausal symptoms because they believe it’s just for men. But testosterone is vital for females, and your physician highly regulates the dosing. It is essential for women to have appropriate testosterone levels to naturally control their estrogen because as we age, our testosterone levels are continuously decreasing.
Men should have 50 times more testosterone than estrogen. An enzyme called aromatase that converts male to female hormones regulated the balance. If everything is functioning normally, there is a normal ratio of male to female hormones or testosterone to estrogen, but when hormonal imbalances occur, it’s imperative to treat with hormonal therapy.
In Both Men and Women, Low Testosterone Can Lead To:
• Heart Disease
• Metabolic Syndrome
• Depression
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Cognitive Decline
• Lack of libido
Hormonal Pellet Therapy
Pellet Therapy is a bio-identical hormone treatment that is time-released. It’s a small pellet the size of a grain of rice and is placed in a very tiny incision in the upper buttock’s region of the hip. Females need approximately one pellet, which lasts for about three to four months. Most patients have their pellets replaced just four times per month.
Other Forms of Hormonal Replacement
Testosterone replacement therapy can also be given by injection and through transdermal patches. When hormones are injected, you receive testosterone into your bloodstream, which is taken up by the body and absorbed into the cells. When taking the pill form of hormones, the levels are broken down in the liver before reaching the bloodstream and then absorbed by the cells. When using creams or the transdermal patch, the skin absorbs the testosterone and delivers it into the cells.
Pellet Therapy for Men & Women
For men and women, changing the hormone levels through bio-identical hormone therapy can alleviate or in many cases eliminate these symptoms and life fluctuations. There are even studies now that suggest bio-identical hormones can help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Men and women can both benefit from testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) but through different methods. TRT for men is pretty straightforward, and for women, they benefit from bioidentical hormone replacement (BHRT), like pellet therapy, which releases a small amount of testosterone into the body over a few months. Small amounts of testosterone in women, naturally balances the estrogen levels that are causing multiple symptoms and health risks.
Orchidia Med Spa’s mission is to utilize the latest in medical science and apply this with the simple understanding that you want to look, feel, and live better. Let them help you realize your potential wellbeing and become the individual that you have long desired. Your wellbeing is worth it!
If you or someone you know could benefit from the TRT, please contact Orchidia Med Spa today at 239-333-8809, or visit their website at orchidiamedicalgroup.com
