What is Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy?
As we get older, our hormone levels decrease, which contributes significantly to the aging process. Unlike synthetic hormones, Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy enables the replacement of natural hormones in low doses. This method helps to lower the risk of cancer, heart disease, bone loss, diabetes, impaired brain function, and decreased libido.
At OC Wellness, we believe that combining bio-identical hormones, nutritional support, and stress management can help individuals achieve a more youthful state. Dr. Grossman has extensive experience in assisting both men and women manage hormone imbalances such as those related to menopause, andropause, and fatigue.
As women age, they experience the end of ovulation and rapid hormone decline during a short period of time, known as menopause. Women typically begin to experience symptoms of menopause between the ages of 45 and 55, however, some women can begin having hot flashes and sweats when they are premenopausal. During this time women’s hormone levels, specifically their levels of testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone rapidly decline causing them to have symptoms of hot flashes, poor sleep, decreased libido, vaginal dryness, mood swings, weight gain or fatigue. As women transition into menopause, their ovaries stop producing high levels of estrogen. Hormones such as estrogen and progesterone mimic the hormones produced by the ovaries. In order to alleviate the symptoms brought on by menopause, bio-identical hormone replacement therapy is needed to replace the hormones their body isn’t making enough of.
Bio-identical hormones are administered differently depending on the hormone. There are three ways for women to get testosterone. Women can apply a daily cream, administer injections twice a week into the belly fat, or visit their doctor’s office for pellet insertions. Some hormones such as estrogen are prescribed as a topical cream, and progesterone is prescribed as an oral medication.
Men who think they are experiencing a midlife crisis may be going through andropause, the male version of menopause. The testosterone decline in men is at about 1% a year from around the age of 30 to 40. Andropause occurs when hormone levels, including testosterone, gradually decrease in men aged 40 to mid-50s. Symptoms can manifest in various ways, such as loss of muscle mass, insomnia, increased body fat, loss of libido, or sexual dysfunction. Replacement of testosterone in men can be treated by a doctor in-office for pellet insertions or by self-injections into the belly fat.
Benefits of Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy for women:
- Reduce the symptoms brought on by menopause such as night sweats/hot flashes, sleep problems, and mood changes
- Alleviate symptoms of depression, anger, anxiety
- Improve sleep quality
- Increase muscle mass
- Increase libido
- Improve memory and focus
- Reduce body fat
Benefits of Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy for men:
- Alleviate symptoms of depression, anger, anxiety
- Help build muscle mass and maintain bone health to reduce the risk of osteoporosis
- Increase libido and improve sexual function/performance
- Reduce feelings of fatigue and increase endurance/energy levels
- Improve memory/concentration and focus
- Help to reduce body fat and facilitate weight loss
Symptoms of Menopause
Hot Flashes, Night Sweats, Irritability, Mood Swings, Depression, Fatigue, Low Libido/Energy, Memory Loss, Insomnia, Weight Gain
Symptoms of Andropause
Loss of Energy, Increase of Body Fat, Loss of Muscle Mass, Loss of Libido, Erectile Dysfunction, Insomnia, Depression