Both men and women can suffer from hormone imbalances at some point in their lives. As an individual ages, the amount of hormones in their body can decrease. This can cause different symptoms in men and women. Although aging is typically thought of as being the main factor in needing bioidentical hormone therapy, it isn’t the only one. Other things, such as chronic illnesses and certain medications, can also interfere with hormone levels.
Symptoms of Hormone Imbalance in Women
In women, symptoms of hormone imbalance include:
- Frequent urination (primarily at night)
- Sagging skin
- Brittle, thinning hair
- Depression
- Vaginal dryness
- Pain during sex
- Insomnia
- Changes in weight
- Loss of bone density
- Emotional changes
- Anxiety and nervousness
- Lack of libido
Symptoms of Hormone Imbalance in Men
In men, symptoms of hormone imbalance include:
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Breast development
- Issues performing sexually, including problems getting and maintaining erections
- Nervousness
- Irritability
- Lack of motivation
- Anxiety
- Loss of muscle mass
- Changes in weight
What Are Bioidentical Hormones?
Hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone, are naturally occuring in the body. However, there may be a time when you notice these levels dropping, often signaled by certain symptoms that prompt a visit to your doctor. That’s where bioidentical hormone therapy comes in. Bioidentical hormones are hormones that are given either by injection or through the use of pellet therapy. These hormones are identical to biological hormones, making them a safe and effective replacement when the body doesn’t produce enough of these hormones on its own. By incorperating bioidentical hormone, your body will recognize these hormones as being a naturally occurring hormone in the body, so it will accept it and use it as though it were made by the body naturally.
Bioidentical Hormone Pellets and Injections
Bioidentical hormones are available in two formats: injections and pellets. Injections are composed of a hormone selection tailored just for your needs, and can self-administered with no downtime. However, there isn’t control as to how the body uses these hormones or when they are released, which can cause side effects and an imbalance.
Pellets, on the other hand, are implanted under the skin during a quick office visit. These are implanted in an area such as the hip or abdomen, and contain a combination of hormones that are tailored to your needs. These hormones are released with your heart rate, so you can be sure that your body will get the right amount of hormones as it needs them.