Bioidentical hormone therapy Dallas is an innovative approach to diagnosing and treating female and male hormonal imbalances. This approach utilizes plant-based hormones, which have a very similar molecular structure to those made in the human body. The body’s own hormone system, estrogen, and its own progesterone system, progesterone, play numerous roles in regulating a variety of bodily processes, including fertility, menopause, and many other aspects of health and well-being. Bioidentical hormones can be tailored to meet a patient’s specific needs by combining two or more of the four hormone systems.
Hormone therapy can range from being fairly simple, such as using oral contraceptives, to extremely complex, including hormone replacement plans involving taking synthetic hormones and administering them through injection. But despite the complexity, there are several steps a doctor can take to treat patients with either hormone imbalance.
The first step is understanding the function of each hormone. This begins by learning about how different hormones interact within the body and how those interactions affect the various processes. Next, steps are taken to understand the different stages of hormone production and maintenance, then steps are taken to evaluate the status of each hormone.
When evaluating hormonal levels, doctors will look at things like the age of the individual, the gender of the patient, the medical history of the patient, lifestyle factors (such as alcohol or smoking), and the symptoms the person is experiencing. In some cases, bioidentical hormone therapy will even include counseling to help a patient cope with stress and symptoms of hormone imbalances, as well as lifestyle changes (such as exercise and diet). Once the evaluation has been completed, doctors can begin implementing treatments to help correct the imbalances.
In most cases, bioidentical hormone therapy will begin with a thorough exam to determine the levels of the various hormones within the body. For example, the female hormone, estrogen, levels peak during menstruation and will gradually decrease throughout the month. Blood tests will also determine the blood levels of the male hormones, testosterone, during different stages of the day. These readings will give doctors an understanding of the hormone imbalances they’re facing. Treatment options will be determined based on the readings from the doctor’s exam and laboratory studies. Some patients will only need medication to alleviate symptoms; others may require more extensive treatment steps to correct their hormonal balances.
In some cases, bioidentical hormone therapy will also involve a regular dose of oral estriol. Estradiol is used to reduce menopausal symptoms and reduce breast cancer risk. Menopause is a common occurrence in women approaching mid-life, and estriol helps prevent osteoporosis by reducing bone mineral density. However, many doctors choose to use estriol along with bioidentical hormones in order to reduce hormone levels and help relieve menopause symptoms. Oral contraceptives are also often prescribed for women who experience hot flashes.
While hormone therapy can help to alleviate symptoms associated with a hormonal imbalance, it is important to note that it will not reverse hormonal imbalances on its own. Hormone deficiencies will continue to occur as long as a person has the power to produce the correct amount of hormones. For this reason, it is critical to identify and treat hormonal imbalances as soon as possible. Hormones are extremely powerful substances, and a person can easily become ill from their own lack of knowledge. The best way to prevent this from happening is to consult a qualified physician when symptoms begin to appear.
