Everyone who goes through the process of getting older experiences hormonal changes. For some women, menopause can cause uncomfortable symptoms like hot flashes and headaches. Men also experience symptoms due to hormonal imbalance. Arturo Portales, DO, FAARFM, at OC Medical Tustin is a skilled physician who treats hormonal imbalance with bioidentical hormone therapy. Hormone therapy can replenish estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, and more so you feel like your younger self again. To learn about the regenerative power of hormone management, call the Tustin, California, office, or schedule a consultation online.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a type of regenerative medicine used to treat hormonal imbalance. Hormones like estrogen and testosterone are chemicals produced by the endocrine system that control the actions of certain cells and organ systems.
When hormones are balanced, you feel healthy, energized, with good mental clarity. But when hormone levels become imbalanced, you may not feel your best, and you can have symptoms like trouble sleeping, weight gain, or difficulty regulating body temperature.
Aging, in both women and men, causes hormone levels to change. This is known as menopause in women and andropause in men.
Some other conditions that can cause hormonal imbalance include:
Stress, injury, and some medications can also cause hormonal imbalance.
Symptoms often begin during perimenopause, the transition period before menopause that typically occurs when a woman is in her 40’s; this is when estrogen production starts to decrease.
Symptoms frequently worsen around menopause, which begins when a woman has not had a period for 12 consecutive months. Symptoms on average last around 5-10 years, but the duration and severity of symptoms varies greatly between different women.
Common menopause symptoms include:
Menopause occurs naturally as women age, but other factors, such as cancer treatment, gynecologic surgery, or trauma can also cause the body to enter menopause.
Aging causes the hormone levels of men to drop, just as it does in women. The symptoms of andropause aren’t always as severe as menopause, but they can have a significant impact on quality of life for many men. The primary factor in andropause is low testosterone levels.
Symptoms of andropause include:
Diabetes, injury, and excessive weight gain can also lower testosterone levels.
Dr. Portales uses bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) to rebalance hormone levels in the body. Unlike synthetic hormones, these medications are identical to the hormones that your body produces.
Dr. Portales frequently recommends BioTE®, a small pellet that is inserted beneath the skin that releases a sustained level of hormone throughout the day for 3-5 months. In some cases, he may recommend a topical cream or oral medication, depending on your individual needs.
By calibrating your dosage to your unique body chemistry, Dr. Portales can return your hormones to optimal levels, reducing symptoms and improving your overall energy and well-being.
To learn more about bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, call OC Medical Tustin or schedule a consultation online.
