Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

Achieving Balance at BodyLogicMD of Northern Virginia

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is a healthy option for achieving natural, normal hormone balance, while reducing unpleasant hormonal imbalance symptoms. Hormone therapy has been a treatment option for both men and women for decades, including the use of bioidentical hormones—dating back to the 1930’s. BHRT has proven to help patients that suffer from low testosterone, progesterone deficiencies, adrenal fatigue, thyroid disorders, and unbalanced estrogen levels. These issues commonly present themselves throughout the lifecycle, while creating a more severe impact during perimenopause, menopause, and andropause.

Drs. Bruce Thomas and Heidi Archer are physicians within the BodyLogicMD network, and expert hormone doctors specializing in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). At Capitol Health and Wellness MD, every treatment plan that incorporates bioidentical hormone replacement therapy begins with advanced diagnostic testing and a one-on-one consultation to review your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle. Men and women suffering from various forms of hormone imbalance, including thyroid disorder, insomnia, mood swings and hair loss, benefit from a comprehensive treatment plan developed by a physician specially trained in hormone balance and BHRT practices.

Bioidentical Hormone Therapy (BHRT) vs. Conventional Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

BHRT offers some unique advantages that distinguish it from conventional hormone replacement therapy. HRT utilizes synthetic, human-made hormones to balance the body, and these hormones are (more often than not) patented, resulting in patients receiving treatment all under the same umbrella.

Meanwhile, Bioidentical hormones are derived from natural sources, such as soy or yams, and designed to be structurally identical to the natural hormones produced by the human body. This exact match structure improves the quality and outcomes of the treatment while also reducing or eliminating the risk of side effects.

What Causes Hormonal Imbalance?

Symptoms of hormonal imbalance can develop at any point in life. The human body has nearly a trillion cells that depend on the delicate balance of hormones to execute a variety of functions. Think of hormones as chemical messengers. These hormones send signals throughout the body to conduct business as usual. When any component of that system fails, the body can no longer function as it should. Subsequently, these signs of hormonal imbalance are due to blockades on the cellular level.

Men experience declining levels of testosterone beginning in their 20s and reach peak levels of decline by their 40s or 50s. As testosterone levels plummet, men may begin to experience depression, irritability, hair loss, weight gain, low libido, muscle loss and a host of other symptoms that deteriorate quality of life and wellbeing. BHRT—testosterone therapy in particular—has been shown to address symptoms of low testosterone, as well reduce the risk of disease. In recent studies, men using testosterone therapy reduced comorbidities associated with obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

Women experience a variety of hormonal fluctuations throughout the lifecycle, from puberty and PMS to pregnancy and childbirth to perimenopause, premenopause and menopause—change is almost constant. These variations can cause symptoms at any age, such as struggles with healthy weight management, mood swings, anxiety, trouble sleeping, low sex drive and fatigue. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can help women restore hormone balance and alleviate symptoms, as well as the risk of disease. Isolated conditions of hormone imbalance that commonly affect women, such as HSDD (hypoactive sexual desire disorder) or thyroid dysfunction, may also be remedied with combination therapies that include BHRT.

Benefits of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

As the popularity of BHRT has grown, the benefits experienced by men and women have expanded dramatically, with many patients reporting substantial improvements to health and quality of life factors. BHRT has been shown to address predetermined conditions of aging, such as menopause and andropause, and the accompanying symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain and fatigue. The benefits of bioidentical replacement therapy also extend to include:

• Improved energy levels*
• Decreased moodiness*
• Improved metabolism*
• Enhanced libido*
• Improved sexual function*
• Better sleep*
• Reduced risk of disease*
• And much more. . .

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy at BodyLogicMD of Northern Virginia

Drs. Bruce Thomas and Heidi Archer are hormone specialists and begins every treatment plan with the latest diagnostic hormone testing designed to optimally assess hormone levels and other relevant biomarkers in the body. Your results, medical history, symptoms, and lifestyle are then carefully reviewed and discussed during a one-on-one consultation to ensure the root cause of your health concerns is addressed through a tailored treatment plan created to match your lifestyle and health goals ideally. Plans often consist of a combination of healthy lifestyle changes and innovative therapies, such as bioidentical hormone therapy.

Contact the expert physicians of BodyLogicMD of Northern Virginia today and start your journey to feeling your very best right now.