Hormone balances are essential for overall health and wellbeing. However, many experience a natural decline in key hormones like estrogen, progesterone and testosterone as they age. This can lead to uncomfortable symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, low libido, hot flashes, and more. Detecting and treating hormonal imbalances through bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) provides lasting relief.
Bioidentical hormones are identical in molecular structure to the hormones produced naturally in the body. This allows them to bind properly with receptors and mimic the function of endogenous hormones. As experts in BHRT, Optimal Hormone Solutions in Missouri City specializes in customized treatment plans to restore optimal hormone levels. Read below to learn more about causes of deficiency, benefits of bioidentical hormones, and why timely evaluation and treatment are so important.
Hormone levels can become disrupted due to:
Left untreated, patients often struggle with frustrating symptoms that significantly impair quality of life. Have you noticed unexplained fatigue, sleep disturbances, low mood, joint pain or other issues? Hormonal causes may be to blame.
Attempting to ignore or “push through” nagging symptoms linked to hormonal decline only leads to more health complications over time. These include:
Restoring balance earlier helps stall disease progression. It also has mental/emotional benefits like improved mood, energy, sleep and self-confidence. Don’t wait to address hormone issues - seeking treatment now can add years to longevity and quality of life.
Unlike synthetic hormone medications with exaggerated effects, bioidentical hormones work harmoniously at the cellular level to truly normalize function.
Upregulating estrogen, progesterone and testosterone with bioidentical hormones provides:
Now let's explore the top reasons to choose bioidentical hormone replacement through a specialized clinic like Optimal Hormone Solutions.
With over 15 years serving Missouri City, the expert physicians at Optimal Hormone Solutions focus exclusively on hormone balance using natural BHRT. What sets our clinic apart includes:
We know no two patients or imbalances are alike. This is why our process always begins with advanced diagnostic testing measuring levels of:
Reviewing results as a whole helps identify the root causes and degree of dysfunction unique to each patient for precision treatment.
Optimal Hormone Solutions doctors take time listening to patients for clues about predominant deficiencies. We then develop individualized BHRT regimens using FDA-approved hormones identical to those produced in the body.
Working closely with specialty compounding pharmacies, prescriptions feature varied delivery methods:
This allows catering each protocol around patient symptoms, needs, preferences and convenience.
Our clinical team recognizes hormone therapy requires an ongoing partnership for success. We schedule follow-up blood draws and appointments every 6 weeks when starting treatment to:
Our goal is for each patient to feel and function their best long-term. We’ll continue working together until optimal wellbeing and hormone levels stabilize, typically within 6 months. Expect compassionate, patient-centered care at Optimal Hormone Solutions.
Below we’ll overview key topics related to understanding and managing hormone levels through replacement therapy.
Because hormones work synergistically and controlling a cascade of bodily processes, even a slight imbalance of estrogen, progesterone or testosterone can generate negative effects. Symptoms develop gradually, so they are often overlooked or mistaken as normal aspects of aging.
However, diagnosing hormonal dysfunction sooner than later is crucial for health. This requires specialized blood and saliva testing beyond standard labs ordered by general practitioners.
Consider if any apply:
Estrogen deficiency tends to cause:
Low progesterone manifests as:
Testosterone imbalance shows up as:
Bringing any symptoms up to your provider can prompt evaluation of hormone levels. Tracking other lifestyle factors like diet, medications and stress levels also helps determine causes of dysfunction.
Comparing blood serum or saliva measurements against optimal reference ranges tells where specific deficits exist. At Optimal Hormone Solutions, we recommend baseline testing of:
Reproductive Hormones - Estradiol - Progesterone - Total and free testosterone
Thyroid Hormones - TSH - Free T4 - Free T3 - Anti-thyroid antibodies
Adrenal Hormones - DHEA-S - Cortisol
Biomarkers - Fasting glucose & hemoglobin A1c - Lipid panel - hs-CRP - Micronutrient levels
Evaluating interplay between the thyroid, adrenals and sex hormones is key for true restoration. Deficiencies seldom occur in isolation, so looking at the big picture is important.
We also review pertinent medical history, lifestyle behaviors, BMI and family health backgrounds as part of the evaluation. This comprehensive approach allows identifying root causes of imbalance.
Once confirmed hormonally deficient through testing, we develop customized treatment plans using bioidentical hormones. As the term implies, bioidentical hormones share a identical molecular structure with endogenous human hormones down to the last atom.
The most common deficit hormones replaced are:
These are most often prescribed as:
Optimal Hormone Solutions doctors train extensively on bioidentical hormone dosing, delivery methods and managing side effects. We tailor regimens around each patient for optimal safety, efficacy and convenience.
When initiating hormone therapy, it is smart to start low and go slow. We often begin estradiol, progesterone and/or testosterone at conservative doses, then gradually increase until symptoms resolve and lab levels normalize. This helps avoid overshooting and side effects.
Follow up blood tests are done about 6 weeks later to confirm levels are now within ideal ranges and that patients “feel back to themselves”. The majority find outstanding relief within 3-6 months.
Although improvement happens at different paces for everyone, most report:
In most cases, the right bioidentical hormone regimen leads to transformative gains in wellbeing, function and vitality. Treatment gets to the root of imbalance versus just covering up symptoms. Expect more youthful hormonal levels for the long run by partnering with our clinic.
Below are further specifics on types of BHRT used at Optimal Hormone Solutions.
Bioidentical hormones are not necessarily safer or more effective than synthetic hormones for menopausal symptoms. However, some women report preferring them because they more closely mimic the body's natural hormones.
Of the three main estrogens, estradiol is the most active and abundant before menopause emerges. Plummeting levels around perimenopause and beyond generate most hormonal deficiency symptoms like hot flashes, urogenital atrophy, fatigue and accelerated aging.
Bioidentical estradiol comes in various forms: pills, sublingual drops, gels, creams and vaginal suppositories. Transdermal preparations bypass first pass liver metabolism for steadier absorption.
We also closely monitor the impact estradiol has on the uterus via serial ultrasounds, often pairing it with progesterone that counterbalances risks. Dosing is always individualized and conservative for utmost safety.
Below outlines key considerations of this foundational part of HRT.
Balanced estradiol levels translate to thriving woman’s health as cores causes of morbidity become well controlled.
Oral estradiol is convenient but less ideal as higher levels of estrone get created. We reserve this form only if needing to suppress testosterone in certain cases.
Transdermal gels or creams bypass first pass metabolism and mimic natural diurnal secretion, our preferred methods for perimenopausal patients. Those at risk of hyperplasia may use progestin releasing IUDs instead.
Vaginal preparations treat urogenital atrophy locally without elevating systemic levels much. These pair well with transdermal or pellet testosterone for added libido and arousal benefits.
Estradiol pellets are extremely convenient, delivering steady state hormone with less rollercoastering. These gradual release implants placed under the skin every 3-6 months make dosing, timing or absorption a non-issue.
Optimal Hormone Solutions doctors determine optimal formulations based on each woman’s needs and preferences. We also monitor for potential thrombotic risks and only utilize bioidentical progesterone to counteract unwanted estrogenic growth effects on the uterus.
Contact us to see if hormone balancing could help you tap into new wells of energy and wellbeing!
Progesterone works hand in hand with estrogen throughout a woman’s reproductive years. Often called “the feel good hormone”, optimal levels prevent estrogen dominance which can significantly impair mental health.
This vital hormone orchestrates female reproduction and offers widespread benefits:
Progesterone also offsets risks of sustained estrogen exposure on reproductive tissues. Declining production beginning in the late 30s through menopause causes a long list of repercussions.
Without adequate progesterone balance, estrogen binds more avidly to receptors causing systemic issues:
A nourishing progesterone level is integral for thriving female physiology and protection from many chronic illnesses.
We use bioidentical progesterone in varied formulations catering to needs:
When paired with bioidentical estrogen, progesterone cream absorbs efficiently through skin pores in a steady manner most closely emulating natural rhythms. This leads to outstanding symptom relief in most.
Monitoring labs and follow up every 4-6 weeks allows tailoring dosage until hormones stabilize appropriately. If you are struggling with sleep, weight, PMS or general vitality at any age, progesterone testing may reveal very actionable deficits!
Testosterone is mistakenly considered a “male” hormone. But promoting lean mass, strong bones, mental sharpness and healthy libido in women requires balanced testosterone too. Low levels generate fatigue, weight gain, low mood and reduce stamina substantially.
Supporting testosterone through bioidentical hormone replacement under medical supervision provides widespread benefits:
Optimal Hormone Solutionsians recognize and treat low testosterone in women using methdos like small dose testosterone creams or pellet implants. Partner with us to see if balancing this key hormone could help you thrive!
We hope this overview has illuminated some of the key benefits of accurately diagnosing and addressing hormone deficits using bioidentical therapy. No two people present exactly the same way, which is why cookie cutter approaches fail.
Here at Optimal Hormone Solutions of Missouri City, restoring your optimal hormonal balance by considering the big picture is our specialty. We would be honored to partner alongside you, listening compassionately and leveraging cutting edge testing to uncover underlying causes of dysfunction.
From there, our clinicians develop highly personalized treatment plans using bioidentical hormones to suit your unique needs and preferences. Follow up testing continues until all symptoms resolve and your lab levels reach optimal zones.
Our entire clinical team looks forward to helping you thrive through expert hormone replacement therapy!
