Hormonal balance plays a vital role in your physical, mental, and emotional health. Unfortunately, several factors can result in hormonal imbalances, including aging. Today, our hormone experts at Optimal Health and Wellness in Pasadena, CA are looking at the optimal treatment for imbalanced hormones, bioidentical hormone therapy, including how quickly the results become apparent and what concerns it can address.
How Long Does Bioidentical Hormone Therapy Take?
It usually takes around three weeks to start feeling better after starting bioidentical hormone replacement therapy and three months to feel the full effects of bioidentical hormone therapy. However, it is essential to bear in mind that there are several factors affecting how quickly the results of treatment become apparent. Since everyone has a unique response to treatment, you may experience relief sooner or later than most others.
What Types of Bioidentical Hormones May Be Right for Me?
The optimal bioidentical hormone delivery system depends on several factors, including your personal preferences and which hormone levels are low. If you are experiencing vaginal dryness and pain during sex due to low estrogen levels, a cream or gel may be appropriate for you.
Dermal patches may be a good fit for you if you don’t have children or pets that may accidentally come into contact with the prescription. If you feel confident that you can take your hormone replacement therapy at the same time every day, pills may be a good option for you. If you would rather not take your hormones that frequently, shots or implanted pellets may be the best fit for you.
Am I a Good Candidate for This Treatment?
If your hormone levels are imbalanced and you want relief, there is a very good chance that bioidentical hormones are appropriate for you. To verify that you are a good candidate for this treatment, we may measure your hormone levels to confirm that they are imbalanced and identify which hormones need to be replaced at what levels.
However, you should keep in mind that we usually only measure hormone levels to identify the optimal dose of low hormones in men. Women’s hormone levels tend to fluctuate so significantly from one day to the next that they are not the best guide for dosing. Particularly, it is not effective to use hormone levels in women’s saliva to determine how to identify the best bioidentical hormone replacement therapy dose.
Who Isn’t a Good Candidate for This Treatment?
While bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is appropriate for most people with hormone imbalances, it is not appropriate for everyone. We will discuss your medical history thoroughly before determining the best treatment for you, and we may find you a poor fit for bioidentical hormone replacement if you have suffered from or are at a high risk of developing:
- Breast cancer
- Stroke
- Cardiovascular disease
- Blood clotting disorders
What Concerns Can This Treatment Address?
Mental Health Concerns
Bioidentical hormone replacement can address a wide range of concerns, including mental health concerns. For example, it can help you focus better and think more clearly. This type of treatment can benefit your brain in other ways, too. For instance, research results show that bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, or BHRT, increases antioxidant levels in the brain. This mitigates the risk of free radical damage.
Additionally, if you get BHRT, your circulation may improve. Therefore, more nutrients and oxygen will be delivered to your brain. Furthermore, BHRT has been shown to improve neurotransmitters’ functionality. In other words, your nerve cells will more effectively communicate with each other.
Physical Health Concerns
There is also a wide range of physical health concerns that can be addressed with bioidentical hormone therapy. Women experiencing symptoms caused by menopause or perimenopause can experience relief from hot flashes and night sweats. Additionally, perimenopausal or menopausal women may find that their rate of weight gain decreases, or they stop gaining weight altogether.
BHRT can also mitigate your risk of developing certain medical conditions, like Type 2 diabetes, cataracts, and tooth loss. Moreover, there is anecdotal evidence that suggests BHRT can improve the health of your skin. Within a few months of starting treatment, you may notice that your skin is thicker, more hydrated, and more elastic. You also may notice fewer wrinkles.
Improvement of Sexual Health Symptoms
Research also shows that BHRT can reduce symptoms of poor sexual health in both men and women. Men who increase their testosterone levels will have an easier time achieving a full erection and maintaining it.
Women who increase their levels of estrogen, progesterone, or both may notice improved lubrication. This treatment of vaginal dryness will result in more pleasurable sex. Furthermore, vaginal elasticity can improve several weeks after starting bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Both sexes can benefit from increased libido if they restore balance to their sex hormone levels.
Emotional Health Concerns
Bioidentical hormones can also improve your emotional health if your hormone levels are imbalanced. Specifically, research shows that testosterone replacement can reduce the symptoms of major depressive disorder in both sexes alike. Some of the most common symptoms of depression include disordered sleep, agitation, and difficulty thinking. Other common symptoms include:
- Sadness
- Lethargy
- Angry outbursts
- Feeling worthless
- Changes in appetite
- Back pain
- Suicidal ideations
Furthermore, restoring balance to your hormone levels may reduce the severity and frequency of anxiety symptoms. For instance, several weeks after you start treatment, you may notice that you have fewer heart palpitations. You also may notice that you feel nauseous less often, and you feel less tense and restless. Moreover, this treatment is particularly beneficial for women because it can significantly reduce mood swings caused by menopause.
Schedule Your Initial Consultation Today
Bioidentical hormone therapy can usually improve your mental, emotional, and physical health in roughly three months. If you suspect your hormone levels are imbalanced, hormone replacement therapy may be ideal for you. To find out if you are a good candidate for this type of treatment, contact us today at Optimal Health and Wellness in Pasadena, CA to schedule an initial evaluation.