BioTE Hormone Replacement Therapy Specialist

How do hormones affect my health?

Your hormones — such as estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone — are chemicals that act as messengers for your body. Hormones regulate just about every bodily function, from simple everyday responses like hunger to more complex processes like sexual development. Because of their vital role throughout your body, when your hormones are out of balance, a wide range of symptoms can follow.

When men and women reach middle age, their hormone levels begin to drop, resulting in imbalances. You may associate this process with menopause when a woman’s menstrual cycle ends, and many people who undergo hormone replacement therapy do so to ease the symptoms of menopause. However, hormonal imbalances have many causes and can affect men as well.

What are the symptoms of hormone imbalances?

Symptoms of hormone imbalances common to both men and women include:

• Lack of energy
• Difficulty sleeping
• Unexplained weight gain
• Decreased muscle mass
• Decreased sex drive and performance
• Trouble thinking clearly
• Depression and anxiety
  
  

Women who are undergoing menopause and experiencing changes in their levels of estrogen and progesterone also experience symptoms including hot flashes and vaginal dryness.

Hormone imbalances can have a wide range of effects, so Dr. Kwofie may recommend a blood or saliva test to determine if your symptoms are a result of a hormone imbalance. If you have a hormone imbalance, the next step may be bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.

What is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy?

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy uses synthetic hormones that are identical on a molecular level to the chemicals your body naturally produces. This therapy balances your hormone levels, in turn relieving many symptoms of hormonal imbalances, including the side effects of menopause.

At New Haven Medical Services, the team administers bioidentical hormone replacement therapy through BioTE pellets, which deliver consistent hormone levels, avoiding the fluctuations common to other forms of hormone therapy. To deliver the bioidentical hormones, a member of the practice staff anesthetizes part of your hip area, makes a small incision, and inserts the BioTE pellets through the incision. The procedure is nearly painless, and each pellet lasts between three to six months before your body fully absorbs it.

To learn more about how bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can help you feel your best, call or schedule an appointment online at New Haven Medical Services today.