The human endocrine system is an amazingly sensitive regulatory messaging platform. Organs like the thyroid, pituitary gland, ovaries in women, and testes in men produce hormones that control many of the body’s systems, including metabolism, mood, growth, and reproduction.
As they get older, both men and women start to produce reduced levels of hormones. For women, these changes typically accompany menopause, and as men get older, their bodies make less testosterone. There are a host of symptoms that point to hormonal disequilibrium in both genders.
Dr. Jacob Holdren, Dr. Steven Foley, and the entire caring team at the Regenerative Health & Wellness Medical Center offer a solution for patients suffering the effects of dysregulated hormones, and it’s safe, easy to tolerate, and effective.
We offer a wide range of services from chiropractic care and medically supervised weight loss to regenerative treatments that harness your body’s own healing powers to address issues like sexual dysfunction.
No matter what treatment you seek at Regenerative Health & Wellness Medical Center, you get the highest level of attention, professionalism, and warmth from everyone who cares for you.
What is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy?
Bioidentical hormones are plant-derived hormones that are chemically identical to the estrogen and testosterone that humans produce. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) offers a solution to the host of varied symptoms that people struggle with as they get older.
What symptoms can hormone replacement therapy address?
Women with hormonal difficulties often experience:
- Night sweats and hot flashes
- Trouble sleeping
- Lack of energy
- Weight gain
- Low libido
- Depression, anxiety, or irritability
- Skin changes/problems
- Cold hands and feet
Men typically notice:
- Fatigue
- Erectile dysfunction or low libido
- More body fat, especially around the waist
- Problems focusing
- Reduced bone and muscle mass
- Mood shifts
- Depression
And contrary to popular belief, men with hormonal imbalance can also experience hot flashes and night sweats, just like menopausal women.
All in all, these symptoms make for considerable discomfort, and we believe you shouldn’t suffer by trying to “go it alone.”
What’s important for me to know before I start hormone replacement therapy?
First, we discuss several things with you before we begin treatment to ensure you’re a good candidate for BHRT and are well acquainted and feel comfortable with the treatment preparation and process.
1. What to expect with treatment
We go over everything you need to know before getting BHRT treatment. You’re definitely a candidate if you’re generally healthy but experiencing the unpleasant symptoms we listed above. However, there are some questions we ask you to rule out potential problems that could arise from getting BHRT treatment.
When you visit us, we draw a blood sample that we have fully analyzed in a lab so we can definitively determine your hormone levels. Your results return in about a week, at which time we create a BHRT treatment plan that’s completely tailored to your needs.
We deliver the treatment through a pellet we place carefully under the skin of your hip or buttocks after applying a numbing agent. This ensures your treatment is painless. Getting your hormone pellet is quick, too — usually 30 minutes or less — so you can return to your busy life the minute you leave our office.
2. When you should expect to feel results from treatment
You notice improvement with your symptoms quickly — usually within 3-10 days, depending on which hormone you receive. Your pellet keeps working, releasing the bioidentical hormones you need gradually, over the course of several months.
We see you again at a follow-up appointment at the six week mark after the start of your treatment. We may make tweaks to your dosage during your initial year of treatment, as well.
3. Understand the risk factors with BHRT treatment
We need to consider factors like your age, your personal and family health history, and your risk for health conditions like blood clots and osteoporosis before we determine if BHRT is the right treatment for you.
We talk with you in depth about these issues before we determine the appropriateness of hormone replacement therapy.
The many uncomfortable symptoms that hormonal imbalance can cause aren’t just distracting — they impact your quality of life, and there’s no reason to endure them if you don’t have to.
Call our Colorado Springs or Holly, Colorado, office to schedule an appointment to see if BHRT is right for you, or reach out to us through our website.