How Quickly Does BHRT Work?

Your hormones play an important role in your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. When you don’t have enough of your essential hormones, your body suffers. At Optimal Health and Wellness in Pasadena, CA, we realize the importance of balanced hormone levels and offer bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, also known as BHRT.

Getting started on this process can be exciting since you’ll soon begin to feel energized and revitalized. Within one to two days following your first treatment, you may notice improvements in your symptoms. It is best if the improvement is gradual, however. With each passing week, you will notice positive changes in your symptoms as you experience all of BHRT’s benefits.

It is not uncommon for patients to notice a significant change in how they feel within two weeks, however, the most drastic changes and positive improvements typically appear three months after treatment. During your initial consultation, we will determine if you are a candidate for this therapy, design a unique treatment plan, and determine which hormone supplementation method is right for you. We can give you some idea of the results you can expect and when they will be available at this point.

After a person’s hormones are balanced, maintaining their results is as simple as making appointments every 3 to 5 months. Our goal is to get each patient on a customized treatment plan that delivers the exact hormone dosage they need to look and feel great.

The goal of BHRT is to alleviate and remedy the symptoms of hormonal imbalance that can disrupt daily life. It is a therapy that uses bioidentical hormones to restore a balance to the bodies of both men and women who suffer from hormonal imbalances.

Biologically identical to those produced by the body, these hormones have a similar effect to natural hormones. They are derived from natural, plant-based sources rather than synthetic ones. From their molecular structure to the way they are absorbed by the body, everything about them is the same as natural hormones.

In contrast to synthetic hormones which pose serious risks and adverse side effects, these hormones are identical to what the body produces naturally. Hormones synthesized from mares’ urine can be drawn together with progesterone to make synthetic hormones. In the human body, synthetic hormones are not an ideal source, which is why bioidentical hormones are especially beneficial to those who have used synthetic hormones in the past.

Bioidentical hormones are the only hormones that are biocompatible, so synthetic hormones can cause some issues in the body and even put patients at risk for developing health problems. Because bioidentical hormones promote health and balance, they are the safest option, and they leave the body protected against aging-related diseases such as osteoporosis, heart disease, and other diseases caused by unhealthy aging.

With BHRT pellets, both men and women can experience a wide range of symptom relief during midlife changes. Symptoms associated with menopause in women and andropause in men include both physical and emotional problems. The following symptoms have been reported as significantly improved through hormone balance:

It is the aging process that most often motivates men and women to seek bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, but it is not the only reason. In addition to genetics, an injury to the testes, cancer treatment, medical conditions and diseases, medications, illnesses, and lifestyle factors such as obesity and excessive alcohol consumption can also lead to hormone deficiencies.

Initial consultations begin with bloodwork and a thorough review of the person’s symptoms and medical history. By analyzing what hormones a patient is lacking, and by how much, we can create an individual dose of bioidentical hormones, compounded into pellets. Despite their tiny size, these pellets can deliver powerful symptom relief within just a few days.

Following your initial consultation, your customized pellets will be ready for insertion at your first appointment. During the procedure, a local anesthetic is used to ensure painless insertion of the pellet. They tend to be inserted under fatty tissue around the buttocks, upper thigh, or lower abdomen. Pellets can be placed anywhere the patient chooses, but whatever location is chosen, they will not be visible under the skin.

Pellets must be inserted through a very small incision, but no stitches are required. This incision should heal completely within a few days with just a small dab of surgical glue or tape. There is no downtime required and patients can immediately return to work after this appointment, although intense physical activity should be avoided for 2 to 3 days after this appointment.

A hormone specialist will be able to ensure that you receive the optimal amount of bioidentical hormones for you to feel your best. Periodically, we will need to reevaluate your dose to achieve this goal. Several weeks after your first treatment, you will undergo lab work to determine whether you have achieved optimal hormone levels.

As soon as we find your correct dose, we can scale back testing, although patients should be retested at any sign of symptom recurrence. It is important to self-monitor while on a hormone replacement program so that your dose can be adjusted as needed.

As opposed to conventional hormone replacement therapy, BHRT uses hormones that are safer and more effective than synthetic hormones. Our internal biological systems are much more compatible with these natural hormones, which are molecule-for-molecule identical to those found in our bodies. Due to this, the human body is more likely to successfully synthesize them.

Furthermore, hormones derived from natural plant sources tend to produce fewer unwanted side effects than synthetic hormones, such as those found in birth control pills and many prescription HRT medicines. During this treatment, patients rarely report negative side effects. If you have any concerns whatsoever, it is always a good idea to contact your healthcare provider.

For people over 35 who are experiencing early warning signs of hormone depletion, BHRT is a safe and effective treatment. As long as it is performed under medical supervision, this treatment can be performed indefinitely into one’s advanced years. The treatment is still being used by patients over age 65 with good results.

No matter how old you are, you will be asked a series of health questions at your initial consultation to ensure that this is the right course of treatment for you. The results of your bloodwork will also allow us to determine whether hormone replacement is needed in your case. We will closely monitor your hormone levels and overall health throughout the treatment to ensure that you stay on the right track.

Many studies have shown that using bioidentical hormones long-term can reduce the severity and frequency of debilitating symptoms that can emerge as early as a person’s 30s. It is still very important to seek treatment from a reputable provider who will work closely with you to monitor symptoms and blood hormone levels, even though BHRT is perfectly safe for most people, even if used over a long period of time.

During the course of this treatment, you can expect to benefit from the use of high-quality bioidentical hormones that have been properly formulated by a trained hormone specialist. You are not required to stop taking hormone therapy just because you’ve reached a certain age, although you should inform your hormone specialist of any changes to your health.