Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy
We are all born with hormones. Hormones are the dispatchers that coordinate the functions of our bodies. We couldn’t live without them. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is used to balance hormone levels. Hormones travel throughout the body to specific areas in the tissue and organs that assist in growth and development, metabolism, sexual function, and mood. Women produce progesterone, testosterone and 3 types of estrogen (estrone, estradiol, and estriol) in the ovaries and they are a woman’s primary natural hormones. The dominate hormone in men is testosterone, which is produced in the testes.
Men’s Hormones
No man is protected from testosterone loss. Testosterone levels in men tend to start declining in the late 20’s and by the time they hit 40, their testosterone has decreased by more than half. Hormone replacement therapy is often used to boost testosterone levels. The term used in the slow decrease of testosterone is called andropause.
Symptoms of low Testosterone may include:
- Low libido
- Loss of muscle mass and tone
- Fatty, enlarged breasts (gynecomastia)
- Decline in Sexual Performance
- Fatigue
- Weight gain around mid-section
- Depression
- Sleeping Disorders
- Low self-confidence or well-being
Women’s Hormones
As with men, women’s hormones decline as they age. Women typically have an imbalance in their hormone levels throughout different moments in their lives, such as puberty, stopping a birth control pill, hysterectomy or menopause. Restoring hormone balance can help restore your quality of life and sense of well-being.
Symptoms of female hormone deficiency may include:
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Bloating or weight gain
- Anxiety
- Low libido
- Brain fog
- Osteoporosis
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Migraines
Hormone Balance – Key to Health
You’ve probably heard more about hormones and hormonal imbalances recently – as researchers have become more aware of evidence showing this may be the foundation of many chronic health issues you could be experiencing.
Your hormones should be harmonious with each other. When levels of an individual’s hormones are in the right proportions, their bodies are in balance. When balance is lost, hormone deficiencies can cause chronic symptoms and disorders, and raise risks for disease (cancer, osteoporosis, etc.). Most individuals don’t think about hormones as a cause when they don’t feel well, are fatigued, or depressed and they go to the doctor because they think they are getting sick. Many people don’t realize that they may be able to achieve their “back to normal” feeling by getting their hormones balanced and in turn, optimize their overall health.
Compounded hormone replacement therapy is an effective, well-tolerated treatment for hormone deficiency. Natural hormone replacement has the ability to reverse symptoms associated with imbalanced hormones including loss of muscle, fatigue, mental fog, osteoporosis, night sweats, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, decreased libido, etc. Higher levels of our natural hormones can also have a protective benefit on bone density, heart health, and increased immune functions.
Hormone levels can be determined with a saliva test or blood test. Saliva testing kits are available at Well Care Compounding Pharmacy. With this test, your levels are tested four times over a 1 day period. Once the saliva samples are collected, return the filled tubes with completed paperwork in the pre-addressed, pre-packaged mailer box provided. Once the tests have been completed, the results will be sent directly to our pharmacist, who will then develop an action plan. Blood test are ordered by your physician and results are sent directly to them to determine a plan of action.
What are my Natural Hormone Replacement Options?
With natural hormone therapy, along with your prescribing physician, you have a choice in how you administer your prescriptions. The following dosage forms are offered at Well Care Compounding Pharmacy:
- Topical Cream or gel (Male & Female Therapy)
- Vaginal Suppositories (Female Therapy)
- Vaginal Creams (Female Therapy)
- Oral Capsules (Female Therapy-Excluding Testosterone)
- Sub-dermal Pellets (Male & Female Therapy)
- Injectable Preparations (Male & Female Therapy)
Difference Between Natural Hormones and Synthetic Hormones
Natural hormone therapy is compounded specifically for you as a unique individual. Natural hormones are derived from natural sources (plants, soy bean, and yams) and are on the same molecular level as the hormones our body naturally extracts.
With natural hormone therapy, Well Care Compounding Pharmacy has the ability to treat you as an individual with one-of-a-kind hormone replacement needs. If your body is missing something, wouldn’t you rather replace it with something that is the same rather than something that is manufactured?
Synthetic hormones are mass-produced in bulk amounts that are “one-pill” for any individuals, only differentiated by a milligram here or there. Synthetic hormones are created in a lab (most commonly using urine from pregnant mares and progestin) and can only copy the hormones that are naturally produced in the body and can lead to dangerous side effects. If you’re interested in natural hormone replacement therapy, contact My Well-care Pharmacy today!