Bioidentical hormones are identical in molecular structure to the hormones naturally produced in the human body. As we age, hormone levels often decline, leading to unpleasant symptoms. Replacing these hormones can provide relief. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) uses hormones chemically identical to those your body produces to supplement declining levels. This promotes better health and can relieve menopausal symptoms in women and andropausal symptoms in men.
At The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic in Galesburg, our goal is to help patients achieve hormone balance naturally with bioidentical hormones. We create customized treatment plans to meet each patient's unique needs. Read on to learn more about bioidentical hormones and their benefits.
Imbalances in key hormones like estrogen, progesterone and testosterone can cause wide-ranging symptoms. Common signs of hormone deficiency include:
- Hot flashes - Night sweats - Vaginal dryness - Anxiety or depression - Difficulty sleeping - Loss of interest in intimacy
- Loss of muscle mass - Increased body fat - Difficulty sleeping - Depression - Low libido - Erectile dysfunction
These symptoms can greatly impact quality of life. They also increase long-term risk for conditions like osteoporosis and heart disease.
Bioidentical hormone therapy offers many benefits for both women and men with low hormone levels:
Replacing deficient hormones relieves troublesome symptoms of menopause and andropause. Patients report improved sleep, energy, libido and overall wellbeing.
Optimal hormone levels support long-term health. Estrogen protects bone health in women. Testosterone promotes lean muscle mass in men. Balanced hormones reduce risk for obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
With treatment, most patients feel like themselves again, with more energy to enjoy life. Interest and intimacy often improve. Overall satisfaction and engagement increase.
Balanced hormone levels keep patients looking and feeling younger. Bioidentical hormones enhance collagen production for youthful skin. Higher testosterone promotes muscle tone in men. Estrogen preserves bone density and skin thickness in women.
There are two key components in successful bioidentical hormone replacement:
We first need to pinpoint which hormones are deficient and determine optimal replacement doses. This involves blood and/or saliva tests which we analyze to develop a customized treatment plan.
We create personalized bioidentical hormone preparations tailored to each patient’s needs. Most preparations are creams containing estrogen, testosterone or progesterone which patients apply to their skin daily. We also offer testosterone pellets.
Follow-up testing ensures hormones stabilize at ideal levels to eliminate deficiency symptoms without overtreatment. Patients feel dramatically better within weeks in most cases.
Bioidentical hormones are not necessarily safer or more effective than synthetic hormones for menopausal symptoms. Some compounds marketed as bioidentical are not FDA-approved and lack safety and efficacy data from rigorous clinical trials comparing them to FDA-approved treatments.
When considering hormone replacement, it is essential to work with highly-qualified practitioners. The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic sets the standard for safety, effectiveness and patient experience. Benefits of our clinic include:
We specialize in truly custom bioidentical hormone therapy, with preparations made specifically for you. No “one-size-fits-all” approaches. This ensures optimal results.
Our clinic focuses specifically on age-related hormone loss and replacement. We stay current on the latest medical research in anti-aging medicine and apply it to patient care.
While we focus on hormone balance, we also provide guidance on nutrition, fitness and lifestyle for overall wellness. Balanced hormones and a healthy lifestyle work synergistically.
Our staff strives to serve as knowledgeable guides through this process. We understand it can feel overwhelming. We ease anxieties through education and empathetic listening.
The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic provides individualized care from start to finish - testing, prescribing, preparing hormones, ongoing monitoring and support. Contact us today to learn more or schedule a consultation.
The first step is determining if hormone decline is causing your symptoms. This requires specific blood tests which may include:
- Estradiol - the strongest estrogen - FSH - signals menopause - Progesterone - regulates menstrual cycle
- Testosterone - promotes male characteristics - Estradiol - the “female” hormone also in men - DHEA, cortisol and other hormones
At The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic, we help patients understand their hormone tests during an initial consultation. We explain what each result means and whether hormone therapy is recommended.
Do not hesitate to get tested if you are experiencing any symptoms of hormone decline. There are no downsides to testing. Catching imbalances early provides more treatment options. Delaying testing allows more severe deficiency symptoms and health impacts.
The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic partners with top area labs to make testing affordable even for those without insurance. We also provide paperwork for insurance claim submissions. Let us know if you need help covering costs.
Call today to ask about our current test specials!
Women produce estrogen and progesterone primarily in their ovaries. When ovarian function declines around menopause, these hormones plunge. Supplementing them relieves menopausal symptoms like hot flashes. Bioidentical estrogen and progesterone also guard against long-term health impacts of menopause like osteoporosis and heart disease.
There are three main types of estrogen:
Estradiol is the strongest, most predominant “youthful” estrogen. It peaks in our 20s and 30s then slowly declines. Estradiol deficiency causes hot flashes, vaginal dryness, anxiety and difficulty concentrating.
Estrone is a weaker estrogen from body fat. Its production remains steadier as women age but is less potent than estradiol.
Estriol is considered the “pregnancy estrogen” as levels rise dramatically during gestation. Some providers prescribe estriol alone but it may not fully eliminate menopausal symptoms.
We typically recommend estradiol with some estriol as the optimal estrogen mix for symptom relief. We can also add estrone or progesterone depending on blood test results and symptoms.
Contact us to learn more about bioidentical estrogen therapy.
Testosterone is essential for male health. It:
Testosterone declines about 1% per year from age 30 on. This accelerates significantly for some men around age 50, causing “andropause” effects like low energy, sexual dysfunction and loss of physical fitness.
Bioidentical testosterone therapy effectively relieves these symptoms when used properly under a doctor’s care. Benefits include:
If you feel your vitality declining, get your testosterone level checked. Treatment options differ based on your age, symptoms and test results.
The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic offers cutting-edge testosterone therapies tailored to your needs. Contact us today to learn more!
Bioidentical hormones provide tremendous benefits on their own. You can enhance results by adopting hormone-optimizing lifestyle habits including:
Follow an anti-inflammatory diet high in produce, omega-3s and antioxidants. Limit sugar, excess carbs and alcohol as these provoke inflammation and hormone imbalance.
Exercise boosts “youth” hormones like testosterone and HGH. Aim for 30 minutes daily - walking, weights, yoga or other activities you enjoy. This also helps manage weight for optimal hormonal function.
Chronic stress elevates cortisol, which can suppress testosterone and reproductive hormones. Make time to decompress - meditation, massage, enjoyable hobbies. Get good sleep nightly.
Nutriceuticals enhance hormone therapy results. We recommend supplements based on individual needs. Good general options include fish oil, vitamin D, zinc and adaptogens like ashwagandha.
We provide comprehensive lifestyle guidance to help you maximize treatment benefits. Contact us today to get started!
The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic partners with outstanding local healthcare providers to ensure our patients receive comprehensive support services. We recommend the following Galesburg businesses to help you achieve full vitality during hormone replacement:
Miller Medical Labs Top-quality local lab for hormone and wellness testing services. Offers affordable self-pay options.
Renew Health Club Lovely gym and spa to support fitness goals. Features pools, steam rooms, yoga and Pilates.
Healthy Habits Nutrition Expert nutritionists provide personalized eating plans to manage symptoms and reach health goals.
Serenity Mind-Body Studio Charming studio offering meditation, massage and holistic therapies to reduce stress.
Lake Storey Walking Path Scenic 3 mile paved loop around Lake Storey perfect for daily walking and fresh air.
We will gladly provide specific recommendations catered to your needs and interests. Our goal is helping you feel your best while discovering all this wonderful community has to offer!
