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Compounded and Bio Identical Hormones
Hormonal imbalances can affect many aspects of our lives, including sleep, libido, weight, energy, mood, and metabolism. The good news is that compounded and bioidentical hormones can prevent or slow the progression of these issues but also allow you to have a more graceful aging.
At Integra Concierge Medicine, Dr. Paul A. Busse, a board-certified family medicine physician who is fluent in English and Spanish, uses compounded and bioidentical hormones to address imbalances and help patients feel their best. He offers concierge medical services to men and women in and around the Jacksonville area.
Signs of Hormone Imbalance
Hormonal imbalances can cause various physical, emotional, and mental symptoms.
In women, common signs include:
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Weight gain
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Mood swings
- Hot flashes
- Low libido
- Hair thinning
- Acne
- Sleep disturbances
- Vaginal dryness
- Frequent Urinary tract infections
These symptoms are often linked to estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid hormone fluctuations.
In men, indications of hormonal imbalance include:
- Low libido
- Erectile dysfunction
- Fatigue
- Mood changes
- Muscle loss
- Weight gain
- Hair loss
- Sleep problems
- Memory issues
- Gynecomastia (breast tissue development)
These issues are often related to low testosterone, thyroid problems, or cortisol imbalances.
Causes of Hormone Imbalance
Some of the most common causes of hormone imbalance in men and women include:
- Aging, particularly during menopause and andropause
- Chronic stress
- Poor diet
- Lack of exercise
- Sleep disturbances
- Thyroid disorders
- Medical conditions such as diabetes, adrenal gland disorders, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
How Does Compounded Hormone Therapy Differ From Standard Hormone Therapy?
Compounded hormone therapy differs from standard hormone therapy in its customization and formulation.
Standard Hormone Therapy
Standard hormone therapy involves commercially available medications that contain fixed doses of hormones, such as estrogen or testosterone. They are typically available in standardized forms like pills, patches, or gels.
These medications are designed to meet the needs of a broad population and cannot be individually tailored.
Compounded Hormone Therapy
Compounded hormone therapy is custom-made by a pharmacist based on a healthcare provider’s prescription. It allows for personalized doses, hormone combinations, and delivery methods (such as creams, lozenges, or injections). All of these are tailored to an individual’s unique hormonal needs.
This flexibility makes compounded therapy ideal for patients who may not respond well to standard treatments or need specific hormone formulations.
What are Bioidentical Hormones?
Regenerative medicine practitioners most often utilize bioidentical hormones in their treatment protocols, as differentiated from other synthetic hormones. The differences come down to how they are made, what they are made with and their molecular structure. Bioidentical hormones are manufactured in a lab to be identical to naturally occurring hormones, which is why they are favored by regenerative medicine practitioners. They are most often sourced from plants.
What do Bioidentical Hormones do?
Your doctor may recommend hormone replacement therapy as a way to alleviate:
- Lack of energy
- Poor sleep
- Decreased libido
- Lack of interest in sex
- Lack of interest in your favorite activities
- Weight gain or weight fluctuations
- Loss of muscle mass
- Difficulty concentrating
- Vaginal dryness
- Hot flashes
- High cholesterol
- High risk of heart disease
- Loss of bone density
- Thinning hair
- Once your baseline has been established through blood testing, we will be able to determine whether you can benefit from hormonal replenishment.
Hormones may be administered in pill form, as a gel or cream, or as an implanted pellet. The dose is based on the symptoms you are seeking to alleviate, as well as your age and health history. Follow-up discussions are very important to monitor how the dose is working or not working for you.
Will I Have to Stop Hormone Replacement Therapy at a Certain Age?
Not necessarily. There is not a predetermined age at which it is no longer safe. Instead, your health will need to be carefully evaluated to make sure you are still a good candidate. As a person ages, they may be more likely to have the risk factors that increase the side effects possible with HRT.
Are Bioidentical Hormones Only for Women?
Absolutely not. Men and women alike can benefit from HRT because both men and women experience hormonal imbalance and hormone decline. Oftentimes bioidentical hormones are offered as a remedy for certain changes caused by menopause, but post-menopausal women are only one group of many that can benefit.
Get Started on the HRT Process
In some situations, stem cell therapy can be combined with bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. But it also often makes sense to perform HRT as a standalone treatment. Schedule a consultation to find out what’s right for you.
Schedule a Consultation in Jacksonville, FL
Compounded and bioidentical hormones can be effective solutions for various symptoms related to hormonal imbalance.
For more information about hormone replacement therapy in Jacksonville, FL, reach out to Integra Concierge Medicine today. Call us at 904-619-3609 or fill out our online form.
