Bioidentical hormones are structurally identical to the hormones produced naturally by the human body. They are custom-compounded from plant sources to match each individual's hormone profile and deficiency symptoms. Bioidentical hormones include estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, and melatonin.
Some key benefits of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy:
Physicians specializing in hormone optimization may prescribe bioidentical hormones to restore hormonal balance and wellness from youth through old age. Keep reading to learn more about the functions, deficiency symptoms, and replenishment of key hormones.
Estrogen is crucial for physical and mental health in both women and men. Declining or unstable estrogen can lead to symptoms such as:
Estrogen replacement therapy with bioidentical hormones can provide immense relief from deficiency symptoms. Well-balanced estrogen levels regulate temperature, improve sleep, stabilize moods, increase energy and mental clarity, promote weight loss, prevent bone loss, and support heart health.
The three main types of estrogen are estradiol, estrone, and estriol. Estradiol is the strongest and most prevalent before menopause. Bioidentical estradiol tablets, patches, gels, inserts, and pellet implants can replenish estrogen back to youthful levels under a physician's care and with proper clinical monitoring.
Table 1: Major Functions of Estrogen Hormones
| Estradiol | Estrone | Estriol |
|---|---|---|
| Primary estrogen before menopause | Weaker estrogen from body fat after menopause | Weakest estrogen, high levels during pregnancy |
| Regulates menstruation and fertility | Protects vaginal tissue and urinary tract | Protects placenta and fetus |
| Influences skin thickness and collagen | Aids mental functions like memory | Potential protective effects against breast cancer |
| Promotes bone strength |
Progesterone is sometimes called the "feel good" hormone due to its mood-stabilizing properties. It works synergistically with estrogen to regulate the menstrual cycle. Declining progesterone leads to symptoms like:
Restoring progesterone levels through bioidentical hormone replacement can restore a sense of calm, improve sleep quality, regulate the menstrual cycle, treat PMS, support fertility, and prevent weight gain. Progesterone creams are often prescribed, but oral capsules and troches are also available.
Imbalances between estrogen and progesterone are at the root of many hormone-related health issues. It's essential to properly assess levels of both through blood testing and provide bioidentical supplementation as needed under medical supervision.
"I struggled through my 30s with terrible PMS, weight gain, and anxiety around my period. My OB/GYN prescribed bioidentical progesterone cream, and within 2 months, I felt SO much better! I wish I'd addressed my hormone imbalance years ago." - Sarah D., age 39
Testosterone is often considered the "male" hormone, but women also produce small amounts that affect energy levels, libido, strength, stamina, and cognition. Low testosterone affects both men and women in the following ways:
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) through gels, creams, pellets, patches, or injections can restore lagging energy levels, sex drive, vitality, and overall health. Clinical studies show benefits for men and women with low testosterone, including increased lean muscle mass, stamina, motivation, sharper cognition, and improved sexual function.
Regular blood testing helps physicians determine optimal dosing to bring testosterone into healthy physiologic ranges. Like all hormone therapies, TRT produces the best results when customized to the individual based on age, symptoms, lifestyle, and health status under careful medical monitoring.
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a precursor to estrogen and testosterone produced by the adrenal glands that peaks in the 20s and declines with age. Symptoms of low DHEA mirror sex hormone deficiency and include:
Restoring DHEA to youthful ranges with bioidentical capsules or cream may help improve energy, sexual interest, emotional health, and protect against age-related diseases. As both a hormone and neurosteroid that crosses the blood-brain barrier, DHEA supplementation shows promise for supporting cognition and protecting brain health.
Like all hormone therapy, DHEA replacement should be guided by testing and monitoring of DHEA-S levels to avoid over-supplementation. Custom-compounded DHEA provides the flexibility of dosage adjustments based on the unique needs of each individual.
Bioidentical hormones provide a safe and effective option for alleviating the sometimes debilitating symptoms that accompany hormone decline. They are life-changing for those with deficiencies that lifestyle measures cannot adequately correct.
But hormone therapy is complex - no two people are alike, and finding optimal levels is a delicate balance. Work with an experienced hormone specialist or endocrinologist to ensure the right testing, dosing, timing, and delivery methods tailored to your unique needs.
Do not attempt to self-prescribe hormones from compounding pharmacies promoting "one-size-fits-all" solutions. While bioidenticals themselves are safe when properly dosed, hormonal imbalances can worsen symptoms, accelerate aging, and negatively impact health.
Our endocrinology team at Vitality Hormone Center specializes in precision hormone replacement therapies to restore wellness, vitality, and quality of life at any age. We take the time to uncover the unique root causes and patterns behind your symptoms. Extensive lab testing, ongoing monitoring, and open communication guide each stage of our personalized process:
We provide all forms of bioidentical hormones, including pills, patches, gels, creams, inserts, implants, and injections. Each option has advantages – we will guide you through the choices to determine what's right for your needs and preferences.
Call us today to ask any questions and schedule your initial hormone consultation. Invest in yourself and take the first step toward balanced hormones and better health!
Attempting to restore hormones without accurately assessing deficiencies can worsen symptoms and negatively impact health. The foundation of any hormone therapy should be blood, saliva, and sometimes urine testing.
At Vitality Hormone Center, we specialize in comprehensive lab panels measuring levels of key hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and DHEA, as well as the pituitary, thyroid, and adrenal glands that regulate them. Testing provides objective data revealing:
Tests should be performed at specific times – for example, progesterone is best measured in the luteal phase (second half) of the menstrual cycle when levels peak. An endocrine specialist knows optimal testing days.
Ongoing follow-up tests are needed to monitor progress and make dosage adjustments after initiating any hormone therapy. Treatment plans evolve over months and years for continual fine-tuning and sustainability.
Invest in proper diagnostics on the front-end of treatment to determine precisely which hormones need replenishment. This eliminates unnecessary therapies and provides accurate data to develop truly customized regimens.
The bioidentical hormones we prescribe originate from natural plant compounds that perfectly match human hormones at the molecular level. They are not synthetic or artificially constructed in a lab.
For example, many estrogens, progesterone, and testosterone used in bioidentical therapy are derived from diosgenin extracted from wild yams or soybeans. They are identical in structure, shape, and function to what your body produces.
Custom-compounding by a specialty pharmacy transforms these plant extracts into personalized doses and delivery methods – swapping out a methyl or hydroxyl group creates estradiol, estrone, or estriol. Suspending hormones in gels, creams, or oils allows transdermal absorption.
The "bioidentical" label ensures the product is biologically equivalent to human hormones, not synthetic analogues. This eliminates risks of side effects from incompatible foreign compounds.
Entrusting anyone except a highly qualified practitioner with prescribing hormone therapy comes with dangers. Look for the following credentials and experience:
Board-certified endocrinologist who specializes in hormones and precision testing
Member of compounding pharmacy advisory boards to ensure quality standards
Years of experience optimizing hormones for men and women
Ongoing advanced training in anti-aging medicine and age-management therapies
Scientific, evidence-based philosophy rooted in physiologic restoration
Collaborates with patient's existing doctors to ensure whole-person care
Finding an endocrinologist who meets these standards ensures an individualized approach focused on restoring wellness through cutting-edge hormone balancing therapies.
The science of hormone optimization continues advancing rapidly, with new innovations that allow superior precision and effectiveness:
Vitality Hormone Center provides the full spectrum of innovative hormone preparations to suit your lifestyle. We continually track cutting-edge delivery methods to incorporate into our customized programs.
For example, the ultra-convenient testosterone pellet implants for men sustain consistent levels for 4-6 months without daily application. Estrogen/progesterone inserts directly deliver hormones to vaginal tissue, providing superior local benefits.
There are advantages and disadvantages to various methods of delivering bioidentical hormones. Key factors include:
Table 2 summarizes the characteristics of major hormone preparations:
| Method | Onset | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral capsules | 1-3 hours | 4-6 hours | Convenient dosing, first pass through liver |
| Sublingual | 15-30 minutes | 4-6 hours | Rapid relief, avoid first pass metabolism |
| Transdermal gels | 1-2 hours | 12-24 hours | Steady relief, daily application |
| Patches | 1 week | 1-2 weeks | Long-acting, only need to replace 1-2x/week |
| Implants | Gradual | 3-5 months | Most convenient long-term option |
| Vaginal Inserts | Rapid | 1-3 days | Directly to tissues for irritation relief |
| Injections | Varies | 1 week- 1 month | Less frequent dosing, longer relief |
There is no "perfect" approach for all – Vitality Hormone Center will guide you through the variables based on your hormone deficiencies, lifestyle factors, and treatment goals. Combination delivery methods may provide the best relief.
For example, testosterone pellet implants every 4 months prevent worrying about daily gels. Adding a progesterone lozenge or sublingual estrogen spray at key times provides instant extra symptom relief as needed.
Bioidentical hormones serve as powerful tools for correcting deficiencies – but certain lifestyle measures magnify their effectiveness:
Vitality Hormone Center provides personalized guidance translating scientific findings on diet, supplements, stress reduction tools, and fitness into custom plans that support your hormone therapy results.
The synergistic relationship between estrogen and the "happy chemical" serotonin has profound effects on emotional health in both women and men. Estrogen facilitates serotonin production in the brain during a woman's reproductive years. Declining levels after perimenopause contribute to anxiety, irritability, depression, and emotional volatility.
Estrogen replacement therapy helps restore the estrogen-serotonin link. Unstable moods, poor stress tolerance, and low libido often dramatically improve within weeks. Sustained estrogen levels support ongoing resilience and contentment.
In men, there is growing evidence testosterone therapy amplifies serotonin to lift depression. And DHEA as a neurosteroid may support moods through conversion to other key brain chemicals. Hormone optimization in men appears beneficial for mental health, well-being, and quality of life.
At Vitality Hormone Center, supporting emotional regulation is a top priority through expert hormone therapies. We provide pharmacological options as needed in addition to bioidentical hormones, given the immense impact neurotransmitter balance has on daily happiness.
Testosterone is a key driver of men's sexual desire and performance. But optimal levels of estrogen, thyroid, and growth hormone support healthy erections, climax, and staying power. Imbalances in DHEA and cortisol also affect male sexual response.
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