You may have heard about hormone replacement therapy before and may be wondering if it is suitable for the physical or emotional issues you are dealing with. If you are reluctant to try hormone replacement therapy because you have heard about serious risk factors that may include a higher rate of breast cancer or cardiovascular disease, a Long Island bioidentical hormones doctor could help you separate the facts from rumors.
There is a big difference between standard hormone replacement therapy—which does increase the risk of breast cancer and cardiovascular disease—and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), which does not pose these risk factors and may protect you from developing other diseases related to aging. Speak to a knowledgeable medical professional about the benefits of BHRT in further detail and design a hormone replacement therapy regimen specifically for your needs.
As people age, their hormone levels decline. This may lead to all kinds of symptoms affecting a person’s quality of life.
Both men and women could find their interest in sex ebbing and their ability to function sexually. Menopausal women may find themselves suffering from hot flashes, night sweats, and brain fog while men may lose muscle mass. Both genders may experience depression, insomnia, lack of energy, fatigue, anxiety and mood swings because of low hormone levels.
Bioidentical hormone treatment from a Long Island physician could help alleviate all these symptoms. Treatment may also protect against osteoporosis, diabetes and macular degeneration.
Bioidentical hormones are the same on the molecular level as the hormones produced naturally by the body. The most common types of bioidentical hormones typically include estrogen and progesterone for females, testosterone for males, and thyroid hormones for either sex.
Bioidentical hormones for menopausal women are derived from plant extracts, notably with wild yam and with soy. Contrary to synthetic estrogen, which is made from conjugated equine estrogens sourced from pregnant mare’s urine, bioidentical hormones are not off-the-shelf products. While synthetic estrogens are mass-produced for their market, bioidentical hormones are created for each person’s specific needs by a state-of-the-art compounding pharmacy.
Depending on the type of hormone and the patient’s preference, bioidentical hormones are available in gel, patch, tablet, injectable, and intradermal pellet forms. Each patient could work together with their Long Island physician to decide on the best type of hormone for their current needs, and patients may decide to change the way they receive bioidentical hormones over time.
No matter the type of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy used, regular testing and monitoring are typically required. After performing a thorough physical examination, a doctor could determine a patient’s hormone levels via blood, urine, or saliva testing. A patient is recommended to return regularly for checkups and possible dosage adjustments.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is a holistic approach to health and not simply receiving a cream or injection without taking individual needs into consideration. In conjunction with bioidentical hormone replacement therapy in Long Island, each patient could receive an individualized diet and exercise plan to enhance wellness. Some patients may receive natural supplement recommendations.
Patients may experience results within a few weeks of starting treatment based on the type of bioidentical hormone therapy. They are recommended to continue to improve as therapy progresses.
If you would like to know more about bioidentical hormones and how they could help your condition, arrange an appointment with Dr. Edward Jacobson at his Greenwich, Connecticut home office. Dr. Jacobson could answer any questions you have so that you can make an informed decision about your health. Call an experienced Long Island bioidentical hormones doctor today.