Bioidentical hormone therapy involves using hormones that are molecularly identical to those naturally produced in the human body to treat hormonal imbalances that lead to deficiency symptoms and related health issues. This type of hormone replacement provides an alternative to synthetic hormones with a more natural physiological effect.
At Equilibrium Hormone Institute in Port Huron, we specialize in customized bioidentical hormone therapy to help patients achieve hormonal balance, alleviate uncomfortable symptoms, and promote better overall health and wellbeing.
Bioidentical hormones are man-made in a lab, but they have the identical molecular structure to the hormones produced naturally in the human body such as estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and others. This allows them to bind to receptors and mimic the function of naturally occurring hormones more effectively than synthetic ones.
Some examples of bioidentical hormones include:
There are several key advantages to using bioidentical hormone replacement instead of synthetic versions:
Bioidentical hormones are formulated by compounding pharmacists using plant-derived hormones that undergo a chemical conversion process to create a molecule that is identical in structure to human hormones.
The base materials can derive from sources such as:
Through chemical alterations, the molecular structure transforms into a blueprint matching the hormones found naturally in the human body.
This allows the bioidentical hormones to interface physiologically just like the hormones produced within, providing seamless hormone optimization tailored to each patient’s needs.
Maintaining balanced hormones is essential for sustaining health and vitality as we age. When hormone levels decline or become imbalanced, it can lead to unpleasant symptoms that impact quality of life in numerous ways.
Some key reasons why proper hormonal balance matters include:
Balanced hormones are crucial for supporting energy levels, healthy weight, stable moods, restorative sleep, sexual health, and an optimistic sense of wellbeing.
Imbalanced hormones often manifest in fatigue, struggles with weight management, mood instability, insomnia, low libido, and a pervasive sense of frustration - all of which erode quality of life significantly.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can help counteract hormone decline to keep levels optimized for how you should be feeling daily.
Studies reveal that prolonged hormone imbalance is linked to heightened vulnerability for serious health conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, autoimmune disorders, and cancer.
Bioidentical hormones can play a preventative role by supporting the body with adequate hormone levels to stay physiologically sound, strengthen immunity, and reduce disease susceptibility long-term.
As hormone production lessens over time, the outward signs of aging become more rapid and pronounced. These may include symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, loss of muscle tone, increased belly fat, thinning hair, dry skin, and cognitive decline.
Bioidentical hormone therapy helps decelerate and minimize the effects of aging by buoying levels of key hormones back to more youthful ranges. This supports continuing vitality in both physical appearance and mental sharpness.
The first step in bioidentical hormone restoration is diagnosing current hormone levels through relevant tests.
Some telltale signs of possible hormone imbalance include:
To obtain an accurate diagnosis of any hormone deficiencies, we run appropriate lab tests to check individual hormone levels. These may include:
Sex hormones - Estrogen - Progesterone - Testosterone
Thyroid and adrenal hormones - T3 & T4 thyroid hormones - TSH thyroid stimulating hormone - DHEA produced by the adrenal gland
Vitamin levels - Vitamin D - B12
Understanding your current hormone values offers insight into which bioidentical hormones could help resolve troublesome symptoms and better support your short and long-term health.
From there, we can develop a customized treatment plan to pursue hormone balance through bioidentical hormone replenishment tailored to your individual biochemistry.
The main components involved in undergoing bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) include:
The starting point is an extensive consultation where we:
Lab tests help uncover current levels of key hormones along with biomarkers that reveal how your body is functioning overall. These diagnostic results allow us to pinpoint which bioidentical hormones to focus on replenishing.
After assessing your lab reports and medical background, we construct a tailored bioidentical hormone treatment plan aligned to your individual hormonal requirements and physiology.
Regular patient follow-ups and lab testing provide insight on how your customized bioidentical hormone therapy is progressing so we can make dosage adjustments as needed over time.
The goal is sustaining long-term hormone balance naturally with bioidentical hormone support matched to how your body functions best.
Bioidentical hormones are chemically identical to those made by the human body. Although marketed as more natural, studies show bioidenticals confer the same benefits and risks as conventional hormone therapy. More research is still needed to fully understand the long-term effects of both types of treatment.
There are a variety of delivery methods available for administering bioidentical hormone replacement matched to each patient's lifestyle preferences and physiological profile.
The main bioidentical hormone therapy options include:
Capsule supplements taken by mouth like progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, and others depending on what's required.
Specially prepared creams provide transdermal absorption delivering estrogen, testosterone, or other bioidentical hormones through the skin as required. This allows incremental dosage adjustments tailored to the individual.
Testosterone along with select other hormones can be administered via injections or sustained-release pellet implants placed under the hip skin lasting several months. This adheres to rigid controls on dose consistency.
Methods like localized vaginal rings, tablets and suppositories supply bioidentical estrogen directly to genital tissues for urogenital symptoms relief without total body exposure.
This range of bioidentical hormone therapy options makes it easy to find the preparation method best aligned for your circumstances and needs.
We guide patients in understanding the pros and cons of each approach to make the most appropriate choice.
If enduring symptoms suggest possible hormone imbalance, it’s important to seek diagnosis and timely treatment to resolve issues promptly.
Key reasons why timely hormone therapy makes sense include:
Our caring medical staff appreciates the debilitating effects hormone-related symptoms can burden patients with daily. We actively listen, provide answers, and guide patients collaboratively through the complexities of hormone testing and bioidentical therapy with sensitivity.
Bioidentical hormones offer the potential to minimize troublesome hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, weight gain, emotional episodes, sleep disruption, and additional symptoms restaurants quality of living. Patients report life-changing relief enabling them to feel like themselves again.
Hormone decline saps energy levels making it a chore to complete once simple everyday tasks. Bioidentical hormone resurgence helps rekindle youthful energy and stamina for pursuing meaningful activities more fully.
Imbalanced hormones can impose unwanted reliance on others for backing through daily responsibilities. Correcting deficits with bioidentical hormones aids in rebuilding confidence and independence to carry on capably alone.
Research confirms that prolonged hormone imbalance amplifies disease susceptibility substantially. Correcting deficiencies earlier safeguards future health, underscoring the importance of timely diagnosis and appropriate bioidentical therapy.
As we age, hormone production inevitably decelerates advancing the effects of aging rapidly. Receiving timely bioidentical hormone solutions helps attenuate the decline allowing for extended vibrancy in later years.
With so much to gain from timely diagnosis and treatment of hormone imbalance, we encourage taking proactive steps to investigate options as early as possible. Our hormone specialists help patients reclaim their wellbeing, independence and quality of life through individually tailored bioidentical hormone replacement plans.
Health, vitality and daily living are too precious to lose gradually through treatable hormone decline. We’re here to help you reclaim your best self!
To give you a better idea of the life-enhancing potential of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), here are examples of actual patients who transformed their lives by correcting hormone deficits unique to their bodies.
Janine, 52, struggled through 4 years of worsening menopausal symptoms leaving her sleep-deprived and irritable. She experienced energy drains by afternoon, abdominal weight gain and feeling chronically “not herself.”
Lab testing revealed Janine had plunged into menopause with near zero estrogen and progesterone with low-normal testosterone and DHEA as well. This hormonal rollercoaster dragged her into depression too.
Janine began compounded bioidentical estrogen, progesterone and testosterone cream matched to bring her hormones into more youthful balance. Additionally DHEA and micronutrients offered extra support.
Within a few weeks, Janine delighted in feeling ‘back to herself’ with lifted mood, mental clarity and energy renewal. Her sleep improved dramatically providing added bright-eyed stamina for summer hikes she’d missed. Janine’s transformation inspired her best friend struggling through early menopause to schedule testing too realizing she needn’t endure years more misery wishing away symptoms without hope or answers.
"I tell everyone about the amazing difference balancing my hormones has made in my life – I should have come in four years earlier!"
Mike, 46 noticed increasing fatigue, weight gain and reliance on 3 cups of coffee to plod through his workdays as a CPA. Worst was feeling his competitive fire fizzle playing league tennis which he’d enjoyed since college.
Mike tested low-normal total and free testosterone plus low-normal DHEA typical of subsiding androgen activity in midlife males. We initiated testosterone pellet implant therapy to restore Mike’s testosterone balance combined with DHEA. Follow-up labs ensured his personal androgen makeover was fine-tuned not just number-wise but energy and performance-wise too. Five weeks later, Mike bounded out of bed refreshed before his 5 AM personal training sessions and stayed sharp crunching tax returns deep into the evening.
"Who knew having my mojo back would make this much difference in every part of my life?"
Restoring balance uniquely in Janine's female hormones and Mike's androgen levels showcases the personalized precision of properly administered bioidentical hormone therapy.
Alongside bioidentical hormone replacement, adopting certain lifestyle measures magnifies therapeutic benefits in sustaining hormone balance.
Vibrant health blossoms from wholesome nourishment. Limit processed foods focusing on organic wholefood sources. Excellent choices include colorful non-starchy vegetables, greens, berries, seeds, legumes, wild fish, and select fruits. Drink mainly filtered water. Minimize caffeine, sugar and alcohol which strain adrenals worsening imbalance.
Mastering stress and worry fortifies hormone health. Yoga, breath work, meditation, forest bathing, laughter and gratitude journaling are awesome stress-busting tools. Sufficient sleep, social connection and saying ‘No’ prevent burnout supporting inner calm.
Frequent low-to-moderate intensity exercise works wonders for hormone harmony and overall vitality. options like walking, gentle yoga, tai chi, leisure biking, swimming improve sleep, mood, blood-sugar regulation, neurochemical balance, anti-aging and more!
Reducing exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals, plastics and cosmetics/body care products containing xenoestrogens (parabens, BPA, phthalates) helps foster inner balance and wellbeing. Choose clean toxin-free personal care and household products whenever possible.
Adhering to these fundamental healthy lifestyle pillars while undergoing bioidentical hormone replenishment amplifies therapeutic benefits prompting transformative renewal helping patients reclaim their vitality. Our caring medical staff provides thoughtful guidance to help patients maximize positive outcomes through combined treatment modalities and lifestyle optimization.
The town of Port Huron offers helpful resources to engage body, mind and spirit in keeping hormones happy and optimized during therapy.
We’ve highlighted some favorite picks below for services, nature escapes, fitness, relaxation and healthy dining to restore inner and outer radiance throughout your hormone balancing journey.
Convenient lab testing helps ensure bioidentical hormone treatment progresses smoothly.
Being immersed in nature is deeply therapeutic, soothing and restorative. Favorite local nature spots include:
This scenic riverside 1.25 mile wooded trail overlooks Lake Huron with places to reflect surrounded by natural serenity.
Wander woodland trails encircling Sanborn lake plus discover playgrounds, picnic spots and seasonal events.
Bask in sunset vistas high over Lake Huron from the grounds of this historic lighthouse.
Paddle the pine-fringed shores dotting this quiet 760-acre riverside park with plentiful trails to roam.
Staying active helps hormone health immensely. Local gym choices offer pools, yoga classes, cardio training and strength-building options.
Gentle practices balancing strength, flexibility and breath awareness benefit body, mind and spirit.
Pamper yourself with therapeutic spa self-care for the ultimate in relaxation.
Hormone-supportive nutrition from clean-sourced eateries makes dining out effortlessly nutritious:
Acai bowls, smoothies, avo toast, house-made nut milks & vibrant dishes.
Fab pies plus grain bowls, soup, salad and muffins. Gluten/dairy/ soy/corn free bakery.
Organic greens, bowls and farm-to-table entrees. Non-GMO, many gluten free.
Broiled whitefish, wild salmon, sirloin burgers, garden sides.
Authentic Italian cuisine. Homemade pastas, pizza, classic entrees done right.
Fresh poke bowls, tropical chicken & shrimp plates with rice or zoodles.
We hope these tips help
