NATURAL HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY FOR MEN AND WOMEN

      Several years ago Suzanne Somers made the general public aware of bioidentical hormones. Oprah then brought the practice onto center stage in an effort to educate the public more about this therapy.

Years ago women were prescribed Premarin and Prempro for menopausal symptoms. The rationale for taking synthetic hormones was not only to stop menopausal symptoms but to protect women against heart disease, build stronger bones, maintain youthful skin and support healthy brain function. But then the data came in ---- are they as safe as medical science had once assumed?

Sadly, the media and many practitioners paint all HRT with the same broad stroke ---- that women are so often advised that the risks apply REGARDLESS OF THE TYPE OF HORMONES they are taking. The reality is that the re-analysis shows associated risks only for conjugated equine estrogens and synthetic progestins --- NOT bioidentical hormones. We do not know at this time if there are any long term risks associated with bioidentical hormones as no long term extensive studies have been performed

Bioidentical hormones are manufactured in a lab to have the same molecular structure as the hormones made by your body. Synthetic hormones, in contrast, are intentionally different. Drug companies can’t patent a bioidentical structure so they invent synthetic hormones that are patentable (Premarin, Prempro and Provera are the most widely used examples). The great appeal of bioidentical hormones is that they are natural. Our bodies can metabolize them as it was designed to do, which minimizes side effects.

Bioidentical hormones have been around for years but most practitioners are unfamiliar with them. In my practice I have had the most success with an individualized approach. To begin, a laboratory test is administered (known as a hormone panel). If necessary a precise dosage of bioidentical hormones is provided. We attempt to get symptom relief at the lowest possible dosage. When beginning therapy you need to plan on doing a hormone panel every three months until you are balanced, then one panel a year is adequate.

What is Male Menopause? Do they suffer andropause symptoms?

Male menopause is called andropause. Andropause affects all men. No one escapes it!!! We have begun to see a significant increasein younger men, beginning at the age of 25. The cause is actually a decline in hormones, primarily testosterone, thyroid, growth hormone and DHEA. It is only recently that anddropause has received attention and recognition. Men believe they do not need help in being a man and men usually don’t talk about it among themselves!!!

Testosterone is the life source to the male body. It travels through the body via the bloodstream and binds to receptors on target tissue. There are testosterone receptors all over the body. As might be expected there are numerous ones in the genital area, but the next largest accumulation is located in the brain. These are the sites that create sexual desire and trigger the release of nitric oxide to facilitate an erection.

Some symptoms of Andropause are:

• Decreased mental alertness and quickness
• Decreased energy, strength and endurance
• Less desire for activity and exercise
• Decreased muscle with an increase in body fat ratio
• Some depression
• Irritability
• Decreased sex drive
• Decreased ssexual function and sensitivity.

These symptoms can be safely and easily treated. To begin a hormone panel is performed to see exactly what your individual hormone situation is. A treatment plan is then designed specifically for your problems. This may include pituitary supplementation, thyroid supplementation, DHEA and self administered testosterone creams twice a week.

It is estimated that one in every three men over the age of 35 has andropause symptoms. If you suffer from any of these symptoms you have a choice ….. You can fix it.