Bioidentical Hormone Therapy is a form of hormone replacement therapy involving hormones that are identical in molecular structure to what is naturally produced by the body, including testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone. These hormones are sourced from Yams and produced by a compounded approved pharmacy. Since bioidentical hormones have the same molecular structure as hormones produced by our own body, they are better received and may carry fewer side effects with improved efficacy.
The advantage of bioidentical hormones is their ability to be specifically customized to the needs of the patients based on how they feel and what their hormone blood panel shows. Having a tailored approach to hormone therapy allows for optimizing treatment in replenishing someone’s hormones and making them feel and look better.
Benefits of Bioidentical Hormone Therapy
There are a number of advantages to taking Bioidentical Hormone Therapy (BHT). One is that BHT hormones are identical to the body’s hormones and will be better absorbed and have less side effects. Bioidentical hormones are customized based on your symptoms and blood work, therefore achieving fewer side effects by not over or underdosing a patient.
In our practice, bioidentical hormones are customized for the individual patient and can be given either via cream or pellets.
The fact that this allows for personalized treatment may result in better results and less unwanted side effects. Some individualsprefer bioidentical hormones due to the fact that they are sourced from a plant based yam or soy and produced in a compounded pharmacy.
How Bioidentical Hormones Work
These hormones are derived from plants such as soy and yams, which are altered to resemble human hormones, including estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Since they are identical in molecular structure to your own natural hormones, bioidentical hormones interact better with the body, resulting in more efficient absorption and fewer side effects compared to synthetic hormones, which have small variations in their chemical structure.
When applied—primarily as creams, gels, patches, pellets, or injections—bioidentical hormones enter the bloodstream and bind to specific sites in target tissues, such as the brain, bones, and sex organs. This binding allows for cells to perform tasks that restore hormonal balance, reducing or even eliminating symptoms such as fatigue, mood swings, hot flashes, or low libido, which can be brought on by hormone imbalances. By mimicking the body’s own hormones, BHT provides a highly personalized and potentially safer method of hormone replacement.
Candidates for Therapy
Good candidates for BHT are individuals who are experiencing symptoms from hormonal imbalances that are typically associated with aging, menopause, or other medical problems. In women, BHT is typically recommended during menopause or perimenopause when estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels decline.
These lower hormone levels may result in hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, mental fogginess, and decreased energy, as well as vaginal dryness and painful intercourse. In men, BHT may be an option in individuals with low testosterone, which results in fatigue, decreased sex drive, muscle loss, and erectile dysfunction.
As we age, our hormones decrease naturally. Those with conditions such as hypothyroidism, adrenal insufficiency, or pituitary dysfunction will also find BHT helpful and can customize their treatment to address overall hormone balance.
Treatment Process
A consultation is done with the patient to better understand how they currently feel as well as their goals. A comprehensive blood serum hormone panel is performed. By combining the patient’s medical history, symptoms, and the blood panel, a customized approach will be taken for each individual patient.
Call David Ghozland Today for Your BHT Appointment
Everyone’s journey is different – and we know that your needs are, too. Call the office of Dr. Ghozland today at 310-393-9359 and we can help walk you through the process of BHT, as well as figure out a customized plan that is aimed at treating your needs.
FAQs
1. What symptoms do bioidentical hormone therapies treat?
Bioidentical hormone therapy was designed to treat the symptoms of menopause in women and andropause in men. Here are a few of the symptoms associated with declining hormone levels in both men and women. Symptoms in menopause include hot flashes, night sweats, mental fogginess, decreased energy, poor sleep, anxiety, mood changes, loss of muscle mass and weight gain, as well as vaginal dryness and changes in the elasticity of the skin.
In men, some of the symptoms associated with andropause are decreased energy, loss of lean body mass, increase in abdominal fat, decreased mental focus, decreased libido, and issues with erectile dysfunction.
2. Is BHT Safe?
When used and prescribed under a doctor’s supervision, BHT is safe, though one must balance risk versus benefit on an individual basis.
3. How is BHT given?
In our medical practice, we focus on administering bioidentical hormones via creams or pellets.
4. What’s the Difference Between the Available Forms of BHT?
There are a variety of ways that Bioidentical Hormone Therapy (BHT) can be taken, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Cream and gels are easy to apply and can be part of a morning or evening routine.
They are not invasive and have dosing flexibility, but caution must be taken to avoid skin-to-skin contact with others, and absorption can be variable. Patches release a constant 24-hour dose, are easy to use, and maintain hormone levels by keeping a constant flow of hormones absorbing into the skin.
Pellets are very small time-release implants that are inserted under the skin every 3–6 months, delivering long-term constant levels of hormones with no daily upkeep. Each has their advantages and disadvantages, and the most suitable choice will depend on an individual basis, lifestyle, and physician’s recommendation. The optimal and safest option can be determined by a health practitioner.
5. How Is the Dosage of the Hormones Determined?
Individual doses are typically compounded and individualized to the individual’s level of hormones and symptoms based on extensive blood or saliva testing and the patient’s own medical symptomatology.
6. Are There Side Effects with BHT?
The most prevalent side effects include headache, breast tenderness, mood change, and bloating, but these are generally minimized by carefully controlled dosing. You should be under close supervision when taking BHT. Yes, there must be follow-up visits and checks on the hormonal level to provide safe and effective therapy and to change doses as and when required.
Most people see an improvement in symptoms within days.
