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Our hormones play a crucial role in nearly every aspect of our health, influencing energy levels, metabolism, mood, and overall well-being. As we age, our hormone production naturally declines, which can bring in a range of symptoms and concerns—with fatigue, sleep issues, hair loss, weight changes, and low libido at the top of the list.
However, people of any age can develop the signs of a hormonal imbalance at any age. Exposure to chronic stress, environmental chemicals (like plastics), a processed diet, and sedentary lifestyle are a few of the common culprits that we seen in our clinic that can cause hormonal disruption.
Fortunately, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is an effective way to normalize your hormone levels and alleviate the symptoms of hormonal imbalance. Before we dig in to the details of BHRT, let’s review the common symptoms associated with hormonal imbalances.
Recognizing the Signs of a Hormonal Imbalance
Hormonal imbalances can occur at any stage of life, though they are most commonly associated with aging, menopause, and andropause (the natural, age-related decline of hormones in men). While each person’s experience is unique, some common symptoms indicate an underlying hormonal issue:
Fatigue and low energy levels: Persistent tiredness not alleviated by rest can signal imbalances in testosterone, thyroid hormone, and cortisol.
Mood swings, anxiety, or mood swings: Your "sex hormones" (estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone) play an essential role in maintaining a healthy mood, and imbalances can contribute to emotional instability, irritability, and low mood.
Unexplained weight gain/ difficulty losing weight: Altered levels of estrogen, testosterone, thyroid hormone, and cortisol can contribute to fat storage and low muscle mass. Hormonal imbalances can also make weight loss more challenging, even with a healthy diet and exercise on board.
Sleep disturbances: Imbalances in progesterone, thyroid hormone, and cortisol can all lead to insomnia and restless sleep. Low estrogen is often behind night sweats and hot flashes, which interfere with sleep quality.
Brain fog and difficulty concentrating: Testosterone, estrogen, thyroid hormone, and cortisol fluctuations can result in forgetfulness, mental fatigue, and feeling generally unmotivated and unproductive.
Low libido and sexual dysfunction: Estrogen and androgens like testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) play critical roles in sexual health in both men and women. Imbalances can lead to decreased sexual desire, performance issues, and vaginal dryness.
Thinning hair and changes in skin elasticity: Low estrogen, elevated cortisol, and thyroid imbalances can contribute to brittle hair, dry skin, and wrinkles.
If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, and they are starting to interfere with the quality of your life, it might be worth having your hormone levels assessed to see if an imbalance is the cause.
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is a natural approach to hormone replacement. It uses plant-derived hormones that are chemically identical to those the body produces—namely estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone—to restore your hormone levels. Unlike traditional, synthetic hormones, bioidentical hormones are designed to match the body's hormone structure, making them more compatible with your natural chemistry and often better tolerated.
Depending on your individual needs and lifestyle, bioidentical hormone can be used in different forms, including:
Troche (a lozenge taken orally)
Creams or gels
Patches
Capsules
Suppositories
Pellets
BHRT is highly personalized, with some individuals responding best to short-term replacement, while others benefit from long-term hormone optimization. It is often far more effective when combined with other therapies like a nutrient-dense, whole foods diet, regular exercise, minimizing exposure to environmental toxins, and pharmaceutical-grade supplements.
BHRT for Treating the Signs of a Hormonal Imbalance
Hormonal imbalances can manifest in many ways, often uniquely to each individual. However, we commonly observe a few key patterns that lead many of our patients to seek our hormone replacement therapy.
Estrogen Dominance/ Low Progesterone
Estrogen is essential for reproductive health, mood regulation, metabolism, and overall well-being. However, there is too much of a good things, and excess estrogen can lead to a host of health symptoms and concerns.
For menstruating women, higher estrogen levels relative to lower progesterone levels— otherwise known as estrogen dominance—can cause severe PMS, mood swings, and irregular, heavy, or painful periods. Estrogen dominance can contribute to conditions like endometriosis and fibroids, which result in abnormal tissue growth and pain, and can significantly impact quality of life.
When used under the guidance of an HRT provider, BHRT can be helpful for boosting progesterone levels and alleviating the signs of estrogen dominance.
Low Estrogen
Estrogen deficiency becomes a primary concern for many women as they age, and it can become particularly problematic during perimenopause and menopause. Low estrogen levels can contribute to vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes and night sweats), thinning hair, loss of skin elasticity, vaginal dryness, and bone mineral loss.
Fortunately, BHRT can help support your body through the natural fluctuations and decline in hormonal production that come on during this phase of life. Hormone replacement can also help with other signs of menopause, like mood disturbances, cognitive concerns, and memory loss (1).
Low Testosterone
Though testosterone is most often associated with men, healthy levels are essential for both men and women. Stress, poor diet, lack of exercise, menopause/andropause, and the use of oral contraceptives are a few common factors seen with testosterone deficiency. Low testosterone frequently causes symptoms of:
Fatigue and lack of motivation
Loss of muscle mass and strength
Decreased libido and sexual dysfunction
Increased body fat/ difficulty gaining muscle
Mood swings and irritability
Cognitive decline and trouble focusing
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is an effective option for improving energy, muscle mass, libido, and metabolism (1-4) in both men and women—especially when used alongside lifestyle changes like increased protein intake and strength training.
Is BHRT Right for You?
If you are experiencing symptoms of a hormonal imbalance and are looking for a natural, effective way to regain vitality, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy may be a valuable option for you.
However, hormone replacement therapy is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Each person’s hormone levels and health history must be evaluated through comprehensive testing and consultation with a qualified healthcare provider before determining if BHRT is a good fit.
BHRT: Safety & Risks
While BHRT is considered to be more "natural" to conventional hormone replacement therapy, they both come with potential side effects and long-term risks that should be carefully considered before starting hormone therapy.
Some individuals experience short-term side effects like bloating, mood swings, or headaches as their bodies adjust to hormone therapy. Long-term risks with estrogen therapy may include an increased likelihood of blood clots, stroke, or certain cancers, and women with a history of these conditions may not be suited for BHRT. Additionally, women with an intact uterus must take progesterone alongside estrogen to protect against uterine cancer.
Testosterone replacement therapy can also carry risks like acne and increased red blood cell production, which may elevate the risk of cardiovascular issues in certain individuals.
However, when used appropriately, BHRT can be a highly effective and safe way to treat the signs of hormonal imbalance. It is necessary to work closely with a knowledgeable hormone provider to assess whether BHRT is right for you and help monitor your hormone levels and symptoms after starting hormone replacement.
What to Expect When Starting BHRT at Wild Horse Health
During your initial visit, we carefully review your symptoms, prior labs, and health history. If needed, we will order up-to-date bloodwork before prescribing hormone replacement therapy. Once we have evaluated your hormone levels and determined you are a good fit for BHRT, we will decide which hormones you specifically need and the best way to take them.
If you are not suited for BHRT, we will use other effective and evidence-backed therapeutics to help balance your hormones, like pharmaceutical-grade supplements containing endocrine-balancing botanicals, vitamins, and minerals.
BHRT and other hormonal therapies often work best when treating the underlying causes of hormonal imbalance. You will be holistically evaluated to determine what factors may be causing your imbalance, and your comprehensive treatment plan will also include tailored recommendations to improve your nutrition, physical activity, digestive health, sleep, and stress management.
After you start BHRT, we will follow up with you every 3-6 months to monitor your progress and adjust your therapy as needed.
Take the Next Step Toward Healing Your Hormonal Health
If you suspect a hormonal imbalance is affecting your quality of life and are interested in trying BHRT, you can schedule a complimentary 15-minute discovery call with one of our HRT specialists. You can also give us a call at (480) 442-0011, and we will help you get started!
Bibliography
Zhang GQ, et al. Menopausal hormone therapy and women’s health. PLoS Medicine. 2021 Aug 2;18(8)
Cruickshank M, et al. The effects and safety of testosterone replacement therapy for men with hypogonadism. 2024 Aug;28(43):1.
Lee TW, et al. Effects of Testosterone Replacement Therapy on Muscle Strength in Older Men with Low to Low-Normal Testosterone Levels. Gerontology. 2023 Oct 16;69(10):1157-66.
Mlynarz N, et al. Effects of Testosterone Replacement Therapy on Metabolic Syndrome in Male Patients. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2024 Nov 14;25(22):12221.
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