Bio-identical hormones are man-made hormones that are chemically identical to those produced naturally in the human body. They can be used to treat hormonal imbalances that occur with aging and due to medical conditions.
Bio-identical hormone therapy involves replenishing diminished hormones to restore optimal levels. This helps alleviate unpleasant symptoms of hormone deficiency and improves general health and quality of life.
At Restore Clinic, we specialize in custom-compounded bio-identical hormones to meet each patient's individual needs. We partner with reputable compounding pharmacies to provide exceptional care.
Below, we will cover key topics about bio-identical hormone therapy to help you understand the basics, benefits, signs of deficiency, and treatment options.
Bio-identical hormones are synthesized in a lab to be molecularly identical to endogenous human hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and others. This allows the body to recognize and utilize them like naturally produced hormones.
Some key points about bio-identical hormones:
Both men and women can benefit from hormone optimization programs using bio-identical hormones.
There are several reasons why hormone levels typically decline with age, leading to unpleasant symptoms and health issues:
A decrease in key hormones like estrogen, testosterone, thyroid hormone, and growth hormone leads to widespread effects on energy, cognition, weight management, sexual function, emotional state, and more.
Low hormone levels underlie many age-related diseases. Replenishing diminished hormones can help optimize health, slow aging, enhance vitality and longevity.
There are many possible signs and symptoms that can indicate a hormonal deficiency, including:
If you experience a combination of these symptoms, a hormonal imbalance may be responsible. Testing hormone levels through blood work or saliva testing can help diagnose a hormone deficiency state.
Bio-identical hormone therapy is an effective way to alleviate unpleasant symptoms and restore wellbeing when your body fails to produce adequate hormones.
The major types of hormones that typically decline and cause symptoms are:
| Hormone | Functions | Deficiency Symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Estrogen | Regulates female sexual development and function | Hot flashes, vaginal dryness, irregular periods, loss of skin elasticity, poor memory and concentration, weight gain, irritability, anxiety, and depression |
| Progesterone | Regulates the menstrual cycle and supports pregnancy in women | Exacerbates estrogen deficiency symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and mood changes |
| Testosterone | Regulates sex drive, muscle and bone mass, body fat distribution, and red blood cell production in both men and women | Fatigue, low libido, erectile dysfunction, loss of strength and stamina, reduced athletic performance, depression, fuzzy thinking, and irritability |
| Thyroid | Regulates metabolism, body temperature, heart rate, and supports growth/development | Fatigue, stubborn weight gain, muscle weakness, cold intolerance, dry skin and hair, impaired memory, and depression |
| DHEA | Precursor to estrogen and testosterone; enhances vitality, mood, libido, immunity, muscle growth, weight management, and heart health | N/A |
| Melatonin | Regulates circadian rhythms and sleep-wake cycles | Insomnia and poor sleep quality |
Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy can effectively treat deficiencies in these hormones and alleviate associated symptoms.
There are many evidence-based benefits to supplementing age-related hormone deficiencies, including improvements in:
Overall, correcting hormone imbalances can slow aging, reduce disease risks, optimize quality of life, and support healthy longevity.
Bio-identical hormone pellets placed under the skin supply a consistent dose of hormones over several months and avoid side effects of pills. We offer pellet therapy using bio-identical testosterone and estradiol to conveniently treat andropause and menopause.
Other ways to deliver bio-identical hormones include:
| Delivery Method | Examples |
|---|---|
| Oral | Capsules, sublingual drops |
| Topical | Gels, creams |
| Injections | Intramuscular or subcutaneous |
The best delivery method depends on your hormone, dose, and personal preference. We will design a fully customized bio-identical hormone replacement plan tailored to your unique needs and lifestyle.
The process of starting bio-identical hormone replacement with Restore Clinic typically involves:
Starting bio-identical hormones requires proper testing, analysis of results, medical supervision, and regular patient follow-up care to achieve success.
Restore Clinic specializes in precision testing and custom-compounded treatments tailored to your unique biology and lifestyle using bio-identical hormone therapy. We partner with reputable compounding pharmacies offering quality medications and exceptional service.
There are several ways to support your body's hormone production and effectively utilize bio-identical hormone therapy:
Diet: Follow an anti-inflammatory diet rich in healthy fats, vegetables, some fruit, high-quality protein, and fiber. Minimize sugar, excessive alcohol, and processed foods. Ensure adequate intake of micronutrients that support hormone synthesis and metabolism - vitamins (A, E, C, and B vitamins), zinc, selenium, magnesium, etc. Consider an elimination diet to identify food sensitivities.
Exercise: Engage in consistent strength training and HIIT workouts. Build muscle and improve insulin sensitivity. Also incorporate low-intensity cardio for stress adaptation. Exercise boosts testosterone and growth hormone levels naturally.
Stress management: Make time for relaxing activities - gentle movement like yoga or tai chi, nature immersion, supportive social connections, meditation/mindfulness, massage, saunas, hobby pursuits. Keep work and social media use in moderation. Prioritize restorative sleep. Adaptogenic herbs and CBD oil can dampen excess stress reactivity.
Avoid toxins: Reduce exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in plastics, poor-quality food/water, many skincare/beauty products, building materials, new cars, conventional household cleaners, and pesticides. Consider investing in a high-quality water filter to remove trace pharmaceuticals and hormone-altering compounds.
Following a healthier lifestyle optimizes natural hormone function and ensures bio-identical hormones can work most effectively.
Along with wide-ranging physical and mental health improvements from bio-identical hormone therapy, properly balanced hormones provide further benefits:
When hormones are balanced through replacement dosing or lifestyle measures, emotional stability greatly improves. Mood enhancement occurs due to neurotransmitter regulation and nervous system homeostasis facilitated by optimal hormone levels. Sleep normalizes, which also equilibrates mood.
Balanced hormones slow the aging process and development of age-related diseases according to intriguing epidemiological data. This anti-aging effect results largely from improved cellular repair processes, growth factor release, inflammatory control, and vascular protection mediated by youthful hormone profiles.
Higher testosterone levels strongly correlate with lower risks of cardiovascular events, obesity, and type 2 diabetes independent of other risk factors. Men with the highest testosterone levels were 40% less likely to develop high blood pressure and diabetes compared with men who had the lowest testosterone in several major studies. Maintaining a healthy hormonal milieu helps prevent chronic illnesses.
In summary, re-balancing your hormones through bio-identical hormone replacement as you age provides widespread benefits for symptom relief, disease prevention, emotional wellbeing, healthy longevity, and enhanced quality of life.
We hope this overview has helped you better understand the promising regenerative potential of bio-identical hormone therapy. Restore Clinic specializes in precision diagnosis and effective treatment of age-related hormone decline using cutting-edge testing technology, proven protocols, and the highest quality medications.
Please (thyroid-hormones.com) with our experienced practitioners to determine if a hormone optimization program is right for you. We are dedicated to helping you feel your best at every age using innovative anti-aging medicine, lifestyle strategies, and bio-identical hormone replacement tailored to your unique needs.
