Hormonal Replacement Therapy, also known as Bio-identical Hormone Replacement or Natural Hormone Replacement, is the administration of biochemical hormones similar to the ones that our body produces.
From the time we are born, our body goes through a variety of changes that affects growth and maturity. These changes are regulated by a variety of substances called “hormones”. There are approximately 50 different types of hormones.
Hormones are molecules that are manufactured in the endocrine glands: thyroid, ovaries, adrenal and testes. These endocrine hormones are secreted into the blood and carry instructions to millions of cells in the body. Hormones control a variety of biological processes throughout body, such as growth and development, metabolism, sexual function, reproduction and mood.
Hormonal deficiency in both men and women can lead to signs and symptoms such as:
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Low mood and irritability
- Loss of sex drive
- Fatigue and lack of energy
- Insomnia
- Weight gain and decreased muscle mass
- Osteoporosis
- Sleep disorders
- Wrinkling and thinning of the skin
- Slow metabolism
- Cognitive decline
- Lowered immune system
Restoring and optimizing the levels of the deficient hormones have been shown to alleviate these age-related changes. Bio-identical Hormone Therapy has also been shown to help with hormonal imbalances that are not age-related such as PMS and menstrual irregularities. These hormones can be replaced by measuring these substances in the blood and prescribing the right dose of bio-identical hormones.
