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Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy for Women and Men
Hormone deficiencies and imbalances currently affect millions and millions of men and women in the US. With the average age to enter menopause and andropause decreasing in recent years, we are seeing people in their 30’s and 40’s suffering with symptoms that our parents experienced in their 50’s and 60’s. As the hormone production declines at an earlier age, it often brings with it unpleasant side-effects or symptoms that affect our quality of life.
Hormone replacement therapy can help restore hormone levels and decrease or remove symptoms all together.
Synthetic hormone replacement therapy consists of standard doses of commercially available hormones without considering the individual needs of each person’s hormonal profile or specific needs. The Women’s Health Initiative study has linked synthetic hormones to an increased risk of heart disease and breast cancer. While studies have shown that natural hormone therapy does not carry the same risks.
In fact, natural progesterone is a protective hormone for female breast tissue. Over time, we hope to see more providers abandon the “one-size-fits-all” approach to HRT based care.
Symptoms often seen in both men and women include: fatigue, low libido/low sex drive, brain fog, insomnia, depression, anxiety, mood swings, weight gain, muscle loss, headaches and migraines, heart palpitation, osteoporosis, hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal dryness in women resulting in painful sex.
Using an individualized or customized approach to hormone replacement therapy for menopause and andropause can pinpoint a person’s exact hormone levels and needs. Optimizing hormones is the goal with the lowest dose to alleviate the most symptoms. Studies have shown that bio-identical hormones, like the ones your body used to make, produce significantly fewer negative side effects than synthetic hormones thus increasing happiness and quality of life.
The difference between synthetic and bio-identical or natural hormones is seen in the chemical structure under a microscope. Synthetic hormones are often produced from animals such as pregnant horse urine, are not identical to those hormones made by the human body and do not act in the same way. Bio-identical or derived natural hormones that come from plants such as the Mexican Wild Yam are both chemically and functionally the same as those produced by the human body.
As with starting any new program, be sure to consult with an expert healthcare provider experienced in natural hormone replacement therapy.
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