Hormones? Bioidentical hormones? Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy? We know these terms can become confusing. In this blog post, we’ll discuss what hormones are and how they affect the body. We’ll also examine bioidentical hormones and how they’re used at KC Wellness Center. Maria Evans, our nurse practitioner, will even explain the makeup of the bioidentical hormones we implement in our treatment. Read on to discover more!
What Are Hormones?
Hormones are special chemical messengers created by glands in the body’s endocrine system. The body has many different hormones, but certain types play a bigger role in the body’s health and well-being. At KC Wellness Center, we mainly focus on the hormones estrogen, testosterone and progesterone, as these hormones most directly impact sexual health.
– Estrogen: For women, estrogen is the main sex hormone.
– Progesterone: Progesterone is similar to estrogen but is not considered the main sex hormone. Like estrogen, it assists with the menstrual cycle.
– Testosterone: Testosterone is the main sex hormone in men. Among other things, It increases bone density and causes muscle mass growth and strength.
As both men and women age, dropping hormone levels can create uncomfortable symptoms and conditions. For example, changing estrogen levels during menopause can cause hot flashes, vaginal dryness, moodiness and trouble sleeping. Dropping testosterone levels can lead to erectile dysfunction (ED) in men.
What Are Bioidentical Hormones?
To treat these symptoms and to help restore your natural hormone levels, we safely re-introduce bioidentical hormones into your body through a process known as Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT).
Bioidentical hormones are manufactured hormones that are chemically the same as those the body produces. Although they are made in a laboratory, bioidentical hormones mimic the hormones the human body produces naturally. Since they are natural and identical to what is already in your body, introducing them to your system has very few side effects. The hormones and BHRT treatment are FDA-approved, so you can rest assured that they have been rigorously tested and are safe.
According to Maria, “[At KC Wellness Center], we use bioidentical hormones that are plant-based, such as hormones from wild yams. Synthetics are typically made using hormones from pregnant mares.” Maria also explains that “while it may seem that the animal-hormone substitute would work better than a plant-based one, the hormones created from plant-based sources are actually more identical to a woman’s natural hormones on a molecular level.”
Our hormone replacement therapy program will help you regain your optimal hormone levels, which will help reverse symptoms relating to low estrogen in women and low testosterone in men. Call us today at (816) 214-5276 to schedule a free consultation or to find out if you are a candidate for BHRT!