Hormone levels are constantly fluctuating – a normal process that occurs at every stage of life. The body responds to these changes with physical manifestations that can affect the way a person feels on a daily basis. When hormone levels are imbalanced, it is normal to feel uncomfortable, sluggish, and just not quite yourself. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, or BHRT, is a method of replacing or supplementing hormones with naturally-derived hormones like testosterone, thyroid hormones, estrogens, progesterones, and androgens that are biologically identical to those produced by the body. It is not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach, but rather a personalized therapy that can restore the energy and vigor of the life you once enjoyed. Based on your lab results, Dr. Whelan will provide recommendations tailored to your specific biology to optimize all of these different hormones, on occasion based on testing that shows us how you specifically convert and metabolize various hormones.
Did you know…
both men and women are affected by hormonal imbalances? These changes can occur at any age though they are especially common in people ages 40 and up. There are four primary types of hormones: estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and DHEA. These four main hormones are naturally present in both men and women, though in different quantities. Balancing these hormones through replacement, altering the way they convert between each other, and other medical modalities can help you to restore balance in your body.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I a candidate for bioidentical hormone replacement therapy?
You may be a candidate for bioidentical hormones if you are in search of a natural alternative to synthetic hormonal replacement therapy. Although we have used synthetic hormones over decades for treatment, significant scientific research indicated that in many cases these synthetic compounds are actually harmful to the body. Indicators that you may be a good candidate for bioidentical hormone replacement therapy include symptoms of andropause (menopause for men), as well as signs of hormonal imbalance or deficiency that may be unrelated to reproductive changes or age. You may be deficient in one or more hormones if you experience any of the following:
- Mood swings
- Hot flashes
- Low libido
- Vaginal dryness
- Weight gain
- Night sweats
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Acne
- Fibrocystic breasts
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Impotence
- Erectile dysfunction
- Bone loss (osteoporosis)
What should I expect during a BHRT consultation?
If you think BHRT may be right for you, make sure to indicate this as a service that you are interested in on your intake forms. The consultation with Dr. Whelan will include an analysis of your symptoms, as well as your lifestyle factors. Dr. Whelan will request lab work to determine your body’s natural hormone levels and metabolism and create a personalized plan for treatment.
What types of results can I expect from bioidentical hormones?
Bioidentical hormones can provide relief for nearly all of the uncomfortable symptoms associated with andropause as well as more nebulous and non-specific symptoms that you may have contributed to “getting old”. Because BHRT is patient-specific, dosing will vary from person to person. Though results are not guaranteed, many people who undergo BHRT feel as though they have stumbled upon the ‘fountain of youth.
