What is hormone replacement therapy?
Hormones are a very critical substance within the body, and they are responsible for hundreds of bodily functions, like initiating sleep, metabolizing food, and regulating blood sugar. But, as we age, our body stops producing some hormones, especially sex hormones (estrogen and testosterone), at the same rate, causing natural levels to drop.
This drop in hormone levels can bring some unpleasant side effects to both men and women, and for women, this can signal the beginning of menopause. Some symptoms of a hormone imbalance caused by a drop in estrogen or testosterone include:
- Mood swings
- Hot flashes (women)
- Low libido
- Insomnia
- Unexplained changes in weight
- Loss of bone or muscle density
- Erectile dysfunction (men)
- Hair loss or thinning (men)
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a treatment used to replenish your body’s natural estrogen hormone levels to their ideal state to manage already-present symptoms or other signs of aging. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is also a form of HRT, but – as the name implies – it is used to replenish testosterone in your body versus estrogen.
If you’ve heard of hormone replacement therapy, you’ve probably heard of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (or BHRT), too, which is kind of like traditional HRT’s fraternal twin. But what is BHRT and how does it differ from traditional HRT? Let’s dig into the key differences.
What is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy?
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) has the same objective and outcome as traditional HRT, but the form of hormones used is a different makeup.
Whereas traditional HRT is made of synthetic hormones, BHRT is made from plant-based substances that essentially mimic the hormones your body naturally produces. Both forms of HRT are just as effective, but BHRT is sometimes preferred because it’s perceived as the more natural option, and the hormones are chemically identical to what already exists in your system.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy also comes in the same forms as traditional HRT, including oral supplements, creams, gels, patches, and periodic injections.
Why hormone replacement therapy?
HRT has a lot of great benefits for folks as young as their early-to-mid 30s when some of the early signs of menopause and aging start to show. Whether or not you’re suffering from symptoms – like low libido, loss of muscle density, or weight gain, among others – both men and women can benefit from HRT.
Benefits of HRT for both sexes include improvements in:
- Energy
- Sleep
- Mood
- Memory retention
- Mental clarity
- Endurance
- Muscle recovery
- Muscle building
- Fat loss
- Libido
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Does 10X Health offer bioidentical hormone replacement therapy?
10X Health providers are experts in administering hormone replacement therapy – including bioidentical hormones! –, and the key to our clients’ success is precision dosing. By carefully testing hormone levels and calculating the optimal level your body needs to thrive, we can administer a very precise dose of hormones that will simply replenish and not overdeliver.
We also offer our clients access to their very own Patient Advisor, who acts as their advocate as they go through their HRT journey and ensure they feel supported and have all their questions answered.
If you’re interested in hormone replacement therapy and want to explore your options, the hormone experts at 10X Health are just the folks to get you started on your journey to 10X health. Contact us today.
