What is bioidentical hormone therapy?
Bioidentical hormone therapy is a treatment to replenish and restore your hormone levels to optimize your health and eliminate disruptive hormone-related symptoms. Bioidentical hormones are plant-derived molecules that are identical to those produced in your body.
At Ananda Integrative Medicine, Reshma administers bioidentical estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone in their natural form. She carefully tests your hormone levels and delivers the correct physiological and biomimetic doses.
Ananda Integrative Medicine only uses hormones that are compounded with natural, FDA-approved, plant-derived molecules that are identical to the ones your body produces. Bioidentical hormones are a more natural alternative to lab-engineered synthetic hormone molecules. Synthetic hormones are similar, yet not naturally occurring in our anatomy, which introduces the potential risk of adverse effects. Conversely, your body can recognize and respond to bioidentical hormones with a reduced risk of adverse effects.
Why would I need bioidentical hormone therapy?
Bioidentical hormone therapy may help alleviate the symptoms of conditions, including:
- Menopause
- Endometriosis
- Osteoporosis
- Heart disease
- Metabolic syndrome
- Andropause
- Degenerative diseases
If you have a hormonal imbalance, you may experience a wide range of disruptive symptoms. For example, some of the common signs of a hormonal health issue include:
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Mood changes
- Depression and anxiety
- Vaginal atrophy and dryness
- Erectile dysfunction
- Painful sex
- Pelvic pain
- Hair loss
- Weight gain
- Muscle mass loss
If you have any of these symptoms, make an appointment with Reshma. She performs comprehensive testing to identify the root cause of your symptoms and then provides personalized natural therapies, including bioidentical hormone therapy, to restore your hormonal balance and health.
What should I expect during bioidentical hormone therapy?
Depending on your needs, Reshma offers transdermal bioidentical hormone therapy based using the Wiley Protocol® to follow the natural rhythms of your biology. In addition to being bioidentical, the Wiley Protocol is biomimetic, which means that it imitates the natural ebb and flow of hormone production. The goal is to restore your natural hormonal balance and overall wellness, not create an unnatural and ultimately unsustainable state.
What do you need to know about thyroid hormones?
Your thyroid gland produces several hormones, including calcitonin, which helps regulate blood levels of calcium. When thyroid problems arise, however, it’s usually due to an imbalance in the thyroid hormones that regulate your metabolism.
Thyroid hormones influence every part of your body, including:
- Breathing and heart rate
- Muscle strength
- Body weight
- Body temperature
- Nervous system
- Protein production
- Cholesterol levels
- Menstrual cycles
Which thyroid problems are most common?
The two most common thyroid problems develop when the gland produces too little or too much thyroid hormone:
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism exists when your thyroid gland is underactive and produces too little thyroid hormone. You may experience symptoms like weight gain, fatigue, muscle aches, and dry skin.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism arises from an overactive thyroid gland that produces too much thyroid hormone. You may experience symptoms like muscle weakness, anxiety, hand tremors, difficulty sleeping, an enlarged thyroid gland, and thinning skin.
How are thyroid problems treated?
Reshma always develops an individualized plan that treats your hormone imbalance and underlying health problems.
Treatment for hypothyroidism typically includes thyroid hormone replacement. Hyperthyroidism is treatable with several types of medications that directly affect the thyroid gland to decrease hormone production.
Call Ananda Integrative Medicine or make an appointment online today to learn more about bioidentical hormone therapy and how it can enhance your health and well-being.
