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Many people think of hormones as chemicals that play a role in reproduction and sexual health, but they actually do a lot more than that. Hormones play key roles in many aspects of health, regulating your body temperature, mood, metabolism, growth, and more.
Like other aspects of your health and wellness, your hormone levels can change over time, particularly as you get older, resulting in hormonal imbalances that can cause a lot of unpleasant symptoms. Medical conditions like thyroid disease and lifestyle changes like puberty and menopause also affect your hormones.
At The Well for Health, our team manages hormonal imbalances with hormone replacement therapy (HRT), a custom treatment plan that uses bioidentical hormones to supplement the hormones your body normally makes. Here’s how to select the right type of HRT for your needs, goals, and lifestyle.
Our team uses state-of-the-art bioidentical HRT for optimal results and a lower risk of side effects. Bioidentical hormones are chemically identical to the hormones your body produces, which means your body “recognizes” them in the same way.
It also means your body is able to use these hormones in exactly the same manner as it uses natural hormones, for greater effect and fewer side effects. Bioidentical hormones are also eliminated in the same manner, preventing a buildup that could increase the risk of complications.
Like any type of medication, hormone products are dosed according to your symptoms, your health profile, your weight, and other personal factors. Throughout your treatment, you’ll have regular checkups to make sure your therapy is optimized for you and on track to meet your needs.
Just like birth control (another type of hormone therapy), HRT is available in different forms. Selecting the form that works for your needs makes it easier to stick with therapy and enjoy all its benefits.
Oral products include pills and sublingual products — tablets that dissolve when placed under your tongue or against your inner cheek. These products are typically taken once each day.
Patches are worn on your skin, like a nicotine patch for people trying to quit smoking. Applied once or twice a week, these patches release tiny doses of hormones over time. Because they bypass your digestive system, they’re less likely to cause stomach issues compared with pills.
Delivered to muscle tissue or under your skin, HRT injections deliver hormones to the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system. Injections are provided every few months in our office, or you may be able to use self-injectors to administer the hormones yourself.
Implants are tiny pellets that are placed under the skin’s surface layers. Once in place, they deliver a steady stream of hormones over time. Pellets must be replaced on a regular basis — the frequency depends on the hormone you’re receiving and other facts.
Topical creams, gels, or lotions are applied to the skin surface. They’re usually used for targeted delivery or hormones in specific areas, like the genitals, to relieve localized symptoms. Topical products follow a specific dosing regimen depending on your needs, usually more frequently at first, then tapering off to once a week or as needed.
Selecting the best HRT method for your needs depends on lots of factors, including your symptoms, your medical history, and even your personal preferences. To learn more about HRT and how it can help you lead a healthier life, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at The Well For Health in Mooresville, North Carolina, today.
