What is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Bioidentical Hormones For Women:
The symptoms and conditions related to Peri-Menopause and Menopause are well known, and no topic in women’s health care deserves more attention than Estrogen and Progesterone. Between the ages of 35 and 50 years, Progesterone and Estrogen levels slowly decline by about 25% in women. In Menopause, there is a rapid decline in Estrogen and Progesterone leaving women in hormonal imbalance. This leads to multiple unpleasant symptoms and makes the body vulnerable to development of various diseases ranging from heart disease, osteoporosis, depression, breast cancer, uterine cancer and others.
Many studies worldwide have proven that Estrogen in balance with Progesterone can protect a woman of any age against many of the diseases associated with aging. It has also been shown that Post -Menopausal women, whose hormones have been replaced and properly balanced with Bio-Identical hormones felt much better and remained healthier far longer, in comparison to those women who had not. We age because our hormones decline and not vice-a-versa. Unfortunately, many simply do not know this important fact and don’t fully recognize why our hormones are so beneficial to us until we start to lose them. Therefore, we should appropriately replace what’s missing with the same Bio-Identical hormones that we had in our bodies when we were younger. Only Bio-identical Estrogen and Progesterone protects against heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease and memory disorders. It protects against vaginal atrophy, urinary incontinence and urinary tract infections. It improves well being and symptoms of Per-Menopause, Menopause and Post-Menopause. It improves skin tone, sagging breasts and libido.
It is however very important not to ever replace hormones with chemically altered synthetic ones that are not recognized by our bodies and that are different from that what we naturally had before. Never equate synthetic hormones with Bio-Identical ones! A synthetic pharmaceutical branded hormone Premarin (which comes from pregnant mare’s [female horses] urine), often prescribed by Physicians to replace Estrogen, is chemically different from Bio-Identical Estrogen. Whereas, Estradiol, a Bio-identical hormone derived from plant sources, was shown to be protective and have no side effects. Provera, another synthetic pharmaceutical hormone brand recognized generically as Progestin, is used to replace Progesterone . It is often referred to as an “Anti- Progesterone” in the Anti-aging field of medicine, because of the harm that it can cause. Provera or Progestin is not the same as Progesterone because it has a completely different molecular structure and is physiologically different. Natural Progesterone has no harmful side effects, where as Progestin (Provera) has multiple side effects, such as dramatically increasing incidence of blood clots, heart attacks and strokes. It causes depression, bloating, breast tenderness, weight gain and affects the woman’s libido by decreasing sex drive and has been shown to be linked to many other negative and dangerous side effects.
Depending on lab results Dr Rand’s program will be custom created for you. It includes an analysis of all your hormone levels, replacement and balancing (where clinically indicated) through Bio-Identical products and close monitoring of your optimum levels, which ultimately leads to recapturing of energy level, vitality and vigor that you had in your earlier years as well as prevention of diseases.
At the Healthy Aging Medical Centers, we recognize that a customized plan to women’s particular health needs is the most effective approach towards achieving wellness, vitality that was possessed in her younger years. After a thorough consultation and an evaluation of all of the appropriate blood work, Dr. Rand will develop Individualized programs based on a woman’s particular needs and requirements, which may consist of Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy, a comprehensive nutrition and supplement program, and an appropriate, effective and sustainable fitness routine as well as other customized programs.
Bioidentical Hormones For Men:
Testosterone levels decline with age, creating health problems secondary to the loss of this very important hormone, subsequently placing the aging man into a condition called Andropause. Our BHRT program focuses on the needs of men suffering from the decline and loss of Testosterone.
A very little known -but important– fact is that as a man ages, not only does his testosterone production slows down, but a gradual increase in production of estrogen occurs at that same time. This state of hormonal imbalance is what leads to Andropause in men. It’s also important to understand that the drop in Testosterone in men occurs more gradually in comparison to the drop of estrogen in women. Therefore, the onset of symptoms leading up to and associated with Andropause appear over a longer period of time in men as compared to female menopause symptoms, even though the changes begin at around the same age.
Testosterone deficiency has also been linked to hypertension, obesity and increased risk of heart disease. Men who suffer heart attacks often have substantially lower levels of testosterone and higher levels of estrogen in compared to those who do not. Low free testosterone is a significant and independent risk factor for coronary artery disease in men.
Our specialized physician at Healthy Aging Medical Centers will carefully prescribe and examine the appropriate blood work and analyze the symptoms associated with this deficiency. An individualized plan focusing on providing a comprehensive approach in developing a daily program which may include, but is not limited to: physical exercise regimen, proper nutritional and supplementary support and a unique and specific bio-identical compounded hormone replacement therapy.
