Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is growing in popularity as a way to alleviate unpleasant menopause symptoms. BHRT can also help with other issues caused by hormone imbalances like thyroid disorders, adrenal fatigue, andropause, and more. This informative guide from New Beginnings HRT Clinic covers the basics of bioidentical hormones, who can benefit from pellet implants, what to expect, and more. We also provide details on our Geelong hormone clinic and various health and lifestyle recommendations to help you achieve optimal wellness during treatment.
Bioidentical hormones are identical in molecular structure to the hormones naturally produced in the human body. This allows them to bind properly with receptors and assimilate like native hormones.
The most common bioidentical hormones used in replacement therapy include:
Because bioidentical hormones are biochemically similar to what the endocrine system produces, they are ideal for hormonal balancing in both men and women.
At New Beginnings HRT Clinic, the bioidentical hormones are delivered via pellet implants. This method allows for steady hormonal release over 3-6 months to keep levels optimal.
The pellets themselves are made from naturally derived hormones that are compressed into very small rods. They are then inserted under the skin during an in-office procedure that only takes a few minutes.
Pellet implant therapy has many advantages over traditional hormone replacement methods:
There are several populations that can greatly benefit from bioidentical hormone therapy:
Most women are familiar with menopause marking the end of fertility. While egg supply diminishes, the ovaries still produce important hormones like estrogen and progesterone that regulate over 500 vital bodily processes.
Perimenopause is the 2-10 year transition phase leading up to menopause. Most women begin experiencing significant symptoms due to fluctuating and declining hormones including:
These changes can range from mildly annoying to greatly reducing one’s quality of life. And they won’t necessarily improve once estrogen production ceases at menopause.
Bioidentical estrogen and progesterone therapy can eliminate troublesome symptoms and help women feel like themselves again.
While not as well known as menopause, men also undergo hormonal aging called andropause. Most men begin experiencing declines in vital hormones like testosterone starting around age 30.
Symptoms include:
Boosting deficient testosterone levels through bioidentical replacement therapy can help men regain optimal health. Most men find symptoms like low energy, mental fogginess, sexual dysfunction, and emotional issues resolve with properly managed treatment.
The thyroid gland controls metabolism by releasing hormones T3 and T4. When levels fall too low, every system and function slows down.
Hypothyroidism is commonly caused by Hashimoto’s disease - an autoimmune condition causing inflammatory damage and impaired hormone production. The most common symptoms include:
Lab testing can identify inadequate thyroid hormones. Bioidentical T3/T4 pellet therapy helps resolve low thyroid symptoms that negatively impact health and vitality.
The adrenal glands produce over 50 vital hormones needed to respond to daily physical, mental and emotional stresses. Prolonged high stress depletes adrenal reserves leading to adrenal fatigue.
Symptoms primarily include some form of fatigue along with:
DHEA is one of the most common adrenal hormones to decline. Measuring DHEA levels can indicate if the adrenals need support.
Bioidentical DHEA pellet therapy helps resolve low adrenal function to protect long term health. Supporting the thyroid and sex hormones also takes pressure off compromised adrenals.
The process of beginning bioidentical hormone replacement therapy begins with a thorough initial assessment to determine if BHRT is suitable.
This involves:
The test results give us a snapshot of where any deficiencies or imbalances exist. We then devise a customized treatment plan designed specifically to restore optimal hormone balance.
Follow-up assessments are scheduled about a month later to evaluate progress and make any necessary adjustments before placing the pellets. Typically implantations happen 2-4 times per year. We monitor periodically to ensure treatment remains on track.
The placement procedure only takes about 10 minutes. A mild local anesthetic is administered to numb the area - typically the hips or buttocks. Using a small cannula, the hormone pellets are inserted just under the top layer of skin. Pressure is applied until the tiny insertion site seals.
Most patients don’t experience any significant discomfort. There may be some residual soreness around the implantation site that resolves within a day or two. Once the pellets dissolve, they aren’t visible under the surface of the skin.
Positive effects are gradual over the first few weeks. Estrogen and testosterone pellet implants take around 5-7 days to fully activate in the bloodstream. Thyroid hormones absorb more rapidly at 3-5 days. Improvements continue building momentum until about 4 weeks when maximum benefits are normally achieved.
Follow up blood work helps us gauge progress at the cellular level as symptoms subside. We also discuss how you are feeling - any changes noted mentally, emotionally and physically. This gives us insight about making small adjustments if needed.
"Bioidentical hormones derived from plants can provide similar benefits to conventional hormone therapy for menopausal women, while potentially avoiding certain risks. However, more research is still needed to fully understand their long-term safety and efficacy compared to standard treatments."
The skilled practitioners at New Beginnings HRT Clinic Rockingham have specialized training and vast experience using bioidentical hormone therapy to treat various hormonal conditions.
We closely track the latest research and utilize testing only from top clinical labs. Our complementary consults allow you to see if BHRT is the right choice before committing.
New Beginnings HRT Clinic proudly serves Rockingham County with two conveniently located offices:
Rockingham Branch 123 Address St.
Bennet Branch 456 Address Rd.
We accept most major insurance plans if hormones are deemed medically necessary. Cash plans are available for elective treatments not covered.
Let us help you look and feel your absolute best!
Following hormone balancing therapy, we highly recommend adopting a Mediterranean style way of eating to help sustain positive effects long term. Benefits include:
Emphasize plant-based whole foods - lots of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, and olive oil.
Eat oily, cold-water fish like salmon twice per week. Yogurt and smaller amounts of eggs, poultry, cheese can also be included. Limit red meat to a few times monthly.
This anti-inflammatory diet provides plentiful prebiotics to feed healthy gut flora and enhance nutrient absorption. It also gives the liver support for improved hormone metabolism.
Chronic stress and poor sleep disrupt hormonal cycles. Using stress management techniques helps stabilize levels. Like diet, better sleep hygiene sustains hormone therapy gains.
Relaxation response eliciting activities like yoga, meditation, deep breathing, massage, saunas, and nature immersion curb production of inflammatory stress hormones like cortisol. This protects mood, motivation and cognitive performance.
Aim for 7-9 hours nightly ensuring at least 3 are before midnight. Ideal sleep facilitates tissue growth and repair, memory consolidation plus metabolic and brain detox. Tips for improved sleep quality include:
Raised energy with treatment means restarting stalled fitness regimens or ramping up current efforts. Combining consistent activity with balanced nutrition normalizes metabolic hormones like insulin further accelerating improvements.
Aerobic exercise is best for burning stored fat, building stamina and spiking feel-good endorphins. Include at least 30 minutes daily - walking, swimming, cycling and dancing all apply.
For building lean mass and strength especially helpful when raising testosterone, mix in 2-3 days a week of light resistance training. This also keeps aging bones strong.
Yoga classes help improve flexibility and balance reducing injury risk. Added benefits include mindfulness practice plus social interaction.
We recommend these local fitness centers in Rockingham county:
Their trainers can help establish reasonable exercise programs if you need guidance getting started.
Cultivating community relationships and experiencing personal purpose are vital for sustaining mental health and life satisfaction. Like exercise, meaningful social interactions stimulate feel-good neurotransmitters and hormones elevating mood naturally.
Ways to expand local connections include:
Also make time for personal passions that spark creativity and joy - gardening, reading, crafts, music, and home projects all apply. These activities all support the positive momentum created by balanced hormones.
Like maintaining a healthy garden, our hormones require nurturing attention and care for optimal well-being. Stress, poor lifestyle habits, illness or aging can all trigger imbalances leading to unpleasant symptoms.
The right bioidentical hormone therapy fine-tuned over time restores healthy hormonal cycles improving every aspect of health. As experts in the field, New Beginnings HRT Clinic Rockingham offers cutting edge testing, treatments and guidance tailored to your unique needs.
We also provide ongoing education and support to help you integrate positive lifestyle changes. Balanced nutrition, stress resilience, restorative sleep, staying active and community connections all work synergistically with treatment.
Are you ready to stop tolerating exhaustion, emotional shifts, loss of joy or purpose, sexual issues, cognitive decline or excess weight that won’t budge despite your best efforts?
Take steps now to discover if customized bioidentical hormone pellet therapy is your next best step towards reclaiming optimal wellness.
Contact New Beginnings HRT Clinic Rockingham today to book your comprehensive hormone consult. Discover why balancing your biochemistry for better living is worth it!
