Testosterone and Hormones
Recent revolutionary medical and scientific information about Testosterone and Hormones – Hormone levels has increased awareness and knowledge about the way we view wellness, prevention and the entire aging process including menopause. As a result of these studies and information regarding healthy hormone levels, We no longer need to accept our appearance, function and health deteriorating with the passage of time.
Hormone Replenishment for Women
Testosterone Replenishment for Men
Testosterone treatment is a hormone with a powerful effect on a number of body organs, including your vascular system, muscles, brain, and bones. It’s best known as a sex hormone that plays a major role in physical development, determining whether you develop male or female features prenatally and whether you develop male characteristics at puberty. Testosterone Treatment also affects sexual functioning. It should be seen as a total body hormone, affecting every cell in the body. The changes seen in aging, such as the loss of lean body mass, the decline in energy, strength, and stamina, unexplained depression, and decrease in sexual sensation and performance, are all directly related to Testosterone Treatment deficiency. Degenerative diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, and hypertension are all directly or indirectly linked to Testosterone treatment decline. Men release a large amount of Testosterone Treatment from their testicles, while women produce a smaller amount in their ovaries. Both sexes produce a small amount in the adrenal glands. The pituitary gland controls Testosterone Treatment levels in both sexes by releasing a hormone known as luteinizing hormone, or LH.
Understanding Estrogen
Estrogens are a group of sex hormones produces in both male and females. Estrogen is a predominately female steroid sex hormone produced mainly by your ovaries. A small portion of estrogen is made by the liver, adrenal glands, kidneys, testicles and your body fat. Your body needs estrogen. It is required in the development of reproductive organs, such as the ovaries and uterus; it is necessary for reproduction. Estrogen regulates literally hundreds of automatic functions in your body: from controlling your body temperature to managing your mood, from increasing your HDL (good cholesterol) to decreasing wrinkles. During perimenopause, your ovaries stop producing eggs and slow the production of female hormones, including estrogen. This fluctuation in hormone levels causes uncomfortable menopausal symptoms.
Progesterone
Progesterone is another hormone produced mainly in the ovaries. Progesterone is responsible for preparing the body for pregnancy each month until the ovaries stop producing eggs. Levels of progesterone can fluctuate throughout life, not just during menopause. Progesterone helps build bone, protects against osteoporosis and heart disease, decreases the growth of breast cancer cells, and promotes an enhanced sense of emotional well being and psychological self-sufficiency. Many peri- or post-menopausal women with clinical signs of hypothyroidism, such as fatigue, lack of energy, intolerance to cold are actually suffering from unrecognized estrogen dominance and will benefit from supplementation with progesterone replenishment.
Balancing your system
When you are young, your body produces the correct levels of hormones to keep you healthy and in balance. As individuals age, an imbalance in any one area of hormones, diet or lifestyle, can cause your metabolism to be thrown out of balance resulting in an assortment of symptoms. Like a well-balanced, well-designed mobile, the weight of each piece affects the balance of other pieces. The goal of hormone replenishment therapy (HRT) is to routinely measure your hormone levels, make adjustments as necessary, and keep your system in balance.
There are two main choices for hormone replenishment therapy: synthetic hormone replenishment and bio-identical hormone replenishment. In the past, synthetic hormone replenishment was the primary treatment for menopausal women; however, bio-identical hormone therapy has come to the forefront due to its decreased risks and increased benefits over synthetic hormone replenishment therapy.
As bio-identical hormones mimic the hormones that our body produces naturally, the side-effects often associated with synthetic hormones are virtually eliminated. The doses of bio-identical hormones are also individualized based on the deficiencies found via blood testing, whereas synthetic hormones tend to be a “one size fits all” dose.
Our Program
Before starting our hormone replenishment program we will utilize extensive laboratory testing along with a detailed health history to assess what hormones to recommend. Our methods of replenishment are creams, pellets, injections and capsules. After reviewing your labs with the nurse practitioner you will discuss which method is best for you. At JoyRich Health Care Centers, we are proud to be specializing in therapy for Medical Assisted Testosterone Therapy & hormones!
Creams: Are compounded specifically for each patient. They are usually applied twice daily and absorbed into the skin. This method of delivery is a slower process and your results may vary due to absorption rate and compliance with applying the creams.
Pellets: Pellets are made up of either estradiol or medical assisted Testosterone therapy. The hormones are pressed or fused into very small solid cylinders. These pellets are larger than a grain of rice and smaller than a ‘Tick Tac’. In the United States, the majority of pellets are made by compounding pharmacists and delivered in sterile glass vials. There is a ‘FDA approved’ 75 mg medical assisted Testosterone therapy pellet. Pellets have been used in both men and women since the late 1930’s. The insertion of pellets is a simple, relatively painless procedure done under local anesthesia. The pellets are usually inserted in the upper buttocks through a small incision, which is then taped. After the insertion of the implants, vigorous physical activity is avoided for 48 hours in women and up to 5 to 7 days in men. Early physical activity is a cause of “extrusion”, which is a pellet working its way out. Complications from the insertion of pellets can include; minor bleeding or bruising, discoloration of the skin, infection, and the possible extrusion of the pellet. Other than slight bruising, or discoloration of the skin, these complications are very rare.
Medical assisted Testosterone therapy stimulates the bone marrow and increases the production of red blood cells. A low Medical assisted Testosterone therapy level in older men can be associated with anemia. Medical assisted Testosterone therapy, delivered by implants or other methods, can cause an elevation in the red blood cells. If the hemoglobin and hematocrit (blood count) get too high, a unit of blood may be donated. Medical assisted Testosterone therapy may cause a slight increase in facial hair, deeper voices, and acne in some women.
Injections: Intramuscular medical assisted Testosterone therapy has been used for years due to its effectiveness and low cost. Medical assisted Testosterone therapy suspended in grape seed oil is injected directly into the muscle usually once a week or every two weeks. Your body slowly absorbs the medical assisted Testosterone therapy into the bloodstream. Intramuscular medical assisted Testosterone therapy injections are deep and may produce pain, site reactions, or severe itching.
Capsules: Progesterone Capsules are available in multiple strengths to afford dosage flexibility for optimum management. Progesterone Capsules contain 50 mg, 100 mg or 200 mg micronized progesterone and are usually taken one to two hours before bedtime.
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