Natural Hormone Replacement
Hormones are the powerful chemical messengers within the endocrine system. They circulate through the body via the blood stream and target specific cells, coordinating different processes like growth, metabolism, fertility, immune system and behavior. A small alteration to the levels can be enough to cause changes, often major changes, in the body. Hormones can impact every major system to affect physical, emotional and organ systems in the body. The effects of aging can cause hormone levels to increase or decrease. The targets within the body become less sensitive to production, control and metabolism. Hormone replacement therapy is also known as natural hormone therapy, testosterone replacement or bioidentical hormone replacement.
An example of changes to hormones due to the aging process is menopause. Menopause marks the end of reproductive life and the end of cycling of the female hormones. Menopause is caused when the hormonal levels of estrogen and progesterone decrease. This decrease can cause body temperature fluctuations, changes in mood, weight fluctuations, hair loss, bone loss, and insomnia. A similar reaction occurs in the testosterone levels in men. Testosterone is important for maintaining muscle bulk, bone growth, red blood cell levels, male well being and sexual function. For reasons such as these, hormone replacement therapy is used to control the reactions associated with fluctuating levels.
Natural Hormone replacement therapy is used to treat the symptoms of the phases of menopause. Sometimes called Bioidentical Hormones, they are created in a lab designed to function exactly like hormones normally produced by the body. Unique mixtures of these hormones can be created on an individual basis for specific deficiencies, known as custom compounded hormone products. Pharmacists that specialize in this type of combination therapy are able to mix the products for individual needs.
Only your physician can explain more about hormone replacement, how it works with your body and whether it is right for you. |
