Hormone therapy involves restoring hormone levels that have become unbalanced due to aging, stress, poor diet, lack of exercise, or other factors. When hormones are out of balance, men and women can experience symptoms like fatigue, insomnia, weight gain, loss of libido, anxiety, and depression.
Hormone levels begin declining around age 30 and the most drastic drop occurs during perimenopause and menopause in women, and andropause in men. Replacing these lost hormones through bioidentical hormone therapy can help alleviate symptoms and restore optimal hormone balance.
Bioidentical hormones are structurally identical to the hormones naturally produced in the body. They are custom formulated in a compounding pharmacy using plant hormones that perfectly match human hormones on a molecular level. This gives them the same benefits without the unwanted side effects of synthetic hormone therapy.
At Vital Hormone Clinic in Lancaster, CA, we specialize in personalized bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, or BHRT, to target each patient's unique hormone imbalances and meet their individual needs. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of BHRT and what you can expect at our Lancaster hormone clinic.
The first step in hormone therapy is diagnosing any imbalances through comprehensive lab testing and assessment. This gives us a complete picture of your hormone levels so we can identify deficiencies and customize an effective treatment plan.
We check the following main hormones and related biomarkers:
Based on the results, our clinicians will determine if hormone therapy is indicated and create a customized treatment plan. We also take detailed health histories and evaluate risk factors to provide the safest, most effective care.
Balancing hormones with bioidentical hormone therapy provides extensive benefits for both men and women:
The benefits of bioidentical hormone therapy extend far beyond relieving symptoms. Properly balanced hormones are crucial to overall health and vitality. The earlier you detect and treat hormone deficiencies, the more effectively you can minimize symptoms and reduce future health risks.
Bioidentical hormone therapy is administered through creams, gels, pellets, patches, pills, or injections. The goal is to supplement deficient hormone levels just enough to reach optimal balance.
At Vital Hormone Clinic, our clinicians carefully determine which of these BHRT methods are best for each patient based on lab results, symptoms, lifestyle factors, and treatment goals.
Here is an overview of the different types of bioidentical hormone therapy we offer:
Bioidentical creams - Creams contain customizable doses of hormones that absorb through the skin when applied to areas like the arms, legs or stomach. Creams allow for convenient daily application and precise dosage adjustments.
Bioidentical gels - Gels also deliver hormones through transdermal absorption. They are easily applied and quickly absorbed for fast symptom relief.
Bioidentical pellets - Pellets are implanted under the skin through a quick, minimally invasive procedure. They offer continuous hormone release over 3-5 months.
Bioidentical patches - Patches provide hormone delivery when adhered to the skin, typically on the lower abdomen. Patch dosages are measured in micrograms released per day.
Bioidentical pills - Pills can be compounded in specific doses but have to be metabolized through the digestive system. We typically prescribe pills only for progesterone.
Bioidentical injections - Injectable hormones are deposited into the fat and muscle for direct absorption into the bloodstream. Benefits appear quickly but frequent injections are required.
Bioidentical hormone combinations - Most patients require a combination of different BHRT preparations to balance multiple hormones and fine-tune dosing.
Our clinicians also make recommendations on complementary lifestyle adjustments and natural supplements that work synergistically with bioidentical therapy.
The goal is to replace only the hormones that are deficient to reach optimal balance. This protects tissues sensitive to estrogen overstimulation and reduces risks. We closely monitor hormone levels and adjustment dosing accordingly to maximize health benefits and minimize side effects.
The basic process for starting hormone therapy with Vital Hormone Clinic is as follows:
Initial consultation - The first visit includes an extensive review of your health history, lab testing, and evaluation of symptoms. This data guides development of a customized treatment plan.
Prescription formulation - We send your bioidentical hormone prescription to an experienced compounding pharmacy we work closely with to prepare your treatment.
Treatment initiation - When your bioidentical hormones are ready, we provide thorough instructions on administering them properly. The initial dosing schedule is carefully determined and adjusted as needed over time.
Follow-up labs & monitoring - Follow-up blood tests are performed regularly to check hormone levels and monitor your progress on treatment. Dosages are adjusted accordingly.
Lifestyle adjustments - We offer guidance on complementary lifestyle and dietary changes to support balance and maximize the benefits of bioidentical hormones.
Annual evaluation - Hormone levels are assessed annually or semi-annually to determine if treatment adjustments are beneficial. Therapy can be continued as long as it provides benefits.
Ongoing monitoring and dosage titration are key to successful long-term hormone balance and symptomatic relief. As experts in bioidentical hormone therapy, we oversee the entire process to optimize your treatment from start to finish.
Detecting and treating hormone deficiencies sooner rather than later is critical to minimize symptoms and reduce future health risks.
The effects of hormone imbalance compound over time:
Additionally, the benefits of hormone therapy diminish over time:
We emphasize the importance of lab testing and evaluation starting in your 30s-40s so hormone deficiencies can be caught early. This allows hormone balance to be proactively restored before you feel significant effects.
Detecting subtle imbalances early provides much greater potential for treatment to:
At Vital Hormone Clinic, we are passionate about early diagnosis and timely treatment of hormone deficiencies. Restoring balance sooner improves quality of life now and helps safeguard long-term health.
You have many options for hormone replacement therapy, but choosing an experienced clinic you can trust is key. Here are the top reasons Lancaster patients choose Vital Hormone Clinic for their individualized bioidentical hormone therapy:
Our commitment to clinical excellence and compassionate care makes us the top choice for bioidentical hormone therapy in Lancaster and beyond. We look forward to helping you address your hormone imbalances and start feeling your best again soon.
