What is bioidentical hormone therapy?

Bioidentical hormone therapy is the use of synthetic hormones designed to match human hormones almost exactly. At Innovative Wellness Center, bio-identical hormone selection and dosing used for therapy is designed specifically for you, in order to allow your body to tolerate it better than mass-produced hormone therapy.

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Bioidentical hormone therapy includes:

• Estriol

• Estrone

• Estradiol

• Testosterone

• Progesterone

• Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)

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Bioidentical hormone therapy is administered through pellets that are placed just under the skin near your hip. This placement allows for a slow direct release of the medicine into your bloodstream 24 hours a day.

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History of Bio-Identical Hormone Pellet Therapy

Even though Estradiol and Testosterone pellets have been in use in the United States since 1939, most physicians have not been exposed to them and do not know much about them. A great deal of research has been done in England and the rest of Europe where pellets are used routinely in hormone therapy. The long-term benefits have proven to be outstanding.

There is one major reason why hormone pellets have not been adopted by mainstream medicine -- that is because pellets are "compounded" substances. This means that individual pharmacies make the pellets (and they must be certified to do so). The medicine in the pellet is an FDA-approved pure pharmaceutical product. The compounding pharmacy places this medicine into each pellet creating the perfect size and dose for insertion under the skin.

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How does bioidentical hormone therapy help women?

Bioidentical hormone therapy can help with low sex drive, low energy, severe PMS, and symptoms of perimenopause and menopause such as hot flashes, night sweats and mood swings.

During perimenopause, the amount of estrogen and progesterone in your body will decrease, increase or fluctuate. Menopause means your hormone levels are close to zero and your periods stop altogether.

Symptoms of perimenopause and menopause include:

• Hot flashes, sweating (night sweats)

• Vaginal dryness and painful sex

• Mood swings

• Sleep problems

• Decreased libido

• Fatigue and low energy

Bio-identical hormones are usually made from plant-based products. While you are on bio-identical hormone therapy.

To maximize the benefits of your hormone treatment, we also advise you to refrain from smoking, eat a healthy diet, maintain a healthy weight, and exercise regularly. This is just as important as getting the right dose of hormones, all to help you feel your very best!

Optimum results take about three weeks and reinsertion is usually about every three to four months. 

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How does bioidentical hormone therapy help men?

Pellet Therapy is a prescribed bio-identical hormone therapy to assist with the side effects associated with low testosterone. Men produce testosterone in their testes. With age, the amount of this hormone naturally decreases.

However, medication side effects, obstructive sleep apnea, thyroid problems, diabetes, and other disorders can compound the problem, causing testosterone levels to decrease even further.

Low T can result in:

• Reduced sex drive

• Erectile dysfunction

• Low sperm count

• Loss of body hair, muscle mass, and strength

• Low energy, increased fatigue

• Increased body fat

• Enlarged breasts

Pellet therapy takes between two to four weeks to be effective and needs to be repeated about every four to six months to maintain the blood levels. 

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Not everyone is a candidate for pellets, and this is an important determination that the provider here will make. Many of our patients receive hormonal treatment as oral troches; hormones patches, gels or creams; vaginal hormones; and oral. We will do everything we can to provide each patient the best possible customized hormonal solution based on their problems and needs.

If you are experiencing health problems related to a hormonal imbalance or deficiency, we encourage you to call or make an appointment online today.

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