Hormone therapy is an important and beneficial treatment for many residents of Buffalo Grove. As we age or go through major life changes, our hormone levels can fluctuate, leading to symptoms that affect our quality of life. Rebalancing hormones through medication and lifestyle changes can provide relief from troublesome symptoms and help people feel their best. This guide will explore everything Buffalo Grove residents need to know about hormone therapy.
What is Hormone Therapy?
Hormone therapy refers to the use of medications containing hormones to supplement low hormone levels in the body. It can be used to treat symptoms of menopause in women, andropause in men, thyroid disorders, and other hormone imbalances. The goal of hormone therapy is to get hormone levels back into optimal ranges in order to alleviate symptoms.
There are two main types of hormone therapy:
- Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) - Uses hormones that are molecularly identical to those naturally produced in the body. These hormones are typically derived from plant sources.
- Non-bioidentical hormone replacement therapy - Uses synthetic hormones that are not an exact match for human hormones. These may come from animal sources.
Many healthcare providers believe bioidentical hormones are preferable because they replicate the body's natural hormones more closely. However, non-bioidentical hormones may be appropriate for some patients as well.
Who is a Candidate for Hormone Therapy?
Hormone therapy can benefit men and women experiencing hormone imbalance symptoms. Common signs that hormone therapy may help include:
For women: - Hot flashes, night sweats - Vaginal dryness - Mood changes, irritability - Sleep problems - Loss of muscle mass - Weight gain - Fatigue - Reduced libido
For men: - Loss of muscle mass and strength - Weight gain, increased body fat - Difficulty sleeping - Depression, irritability - Loss of body and facial hair - Reduced libido - Erectile dysfunction
Your healthcare provider can check your hormone levels through blood, saliva or urine tests to help determine if hormone therapy is recommended.
Benefits of Hormone Therapy
When hormones are restored to healthy levels, patients can enjoy many benefits:
- Reduced menopause symptoms - Hot flashes, sleep problems and mood changes may be dramatically improved.
- Increased energy - Correcting hormone deficiencies can eliminate fatigue.
- Improved mental health - Balanced hormones are associated with better mood and cognitive function.
- Healthier weight - Proper hormone levels help regulate metabolism and control weight.
- Stronger muscles and bones - Optimized hormones preserve lean muscle mass and bone density.
- Better libido and sexual function - Corrected hormone imbalances can improve sex drive and performance.
- Overall wellbeing - Balanced hormones contribute to an improved sense of wellness.
What to Expect From Hormone Therapy
The first step is to get lab testing done to evaluate your hormone levels. Your provider will check levels of hormones like estrogen, testosterone, thyroid hormone, DHEA, and others as needed.
Once hormone deficiencies or imbalances are identified, your provider will create a customized treatment plan. Hormone therapy is available in several forms:
- Oral medications - Hormone pills, capsules or sublingual tablets.
- Topical preparations - Hormone creams, gels or sprays applied to skin.
- Injections - Hormones administered by injection into fat under the skin or into muscle tissue.
- Vaginal treatments - Estrogen tablets, creams or rings inserted into the vagina to treat vaginal dryness and atrophy.
- Pellet therapy - Tiny hormone pellets inserted under the skin that release hormones slowly over months.
Your hormone doctor will discuss the options and recommend the best delivery methods for your needs. You'll start treatment with low doses that are gradually adjusted based on follow up lab work and symptom response. When optimal hormone levels are reached, you only need maintenance follow up every few months.
Lifestyle Recommendations for Hormone Health
While hormone therapy is very effective, making supportive lifestyle changes can also help overcome hormone issues:
- Exercise regularly - Physical activity boosts hormone levels and combats symptoms. Get at least 30 minutes per day.
- Follow a nutritious diet - Eat whole foods and get required nutrients to support hormone synthesis.
- Reduce stress - High stress diminishes hormone function. Practice relaxation techniques regularly.
- Get enough sleep - Sleep is vital for balanced hormone production. Aim for 7-9 hours per night.
- Achieve a healthy weight - Excess fat leads to imbalanced hormones. Maintain a BMI under 25.
- Limit toxins - Avoid external and internal toxins that disrupt endocrine function.
Your hormone therapy provider can offer personalized diet, exercise and lifestyle guidance to complement your treatment plan.
Finding a Hormone Therapy Provider in Buffalo Grove
It's important to work with a qualified hormone therapy practitioner to ensure optimal treatment outcomes. Look for a provider with specialized training and experience in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.
In the Buffalo Grove area, Hormone Harmony offers cutting edge BHRT programs personalized for each patient based on lab testing and symptoms. Their holistic approach focuses on restoring hormonal balance and vitality using bioidentical hormones.
Some other tips for finding a great hormone therapy provider include:
- Search online directories for specialized hormone health and anti-aging practices.
- Ask your primary doctor for a referral to hormone therapy specialists.
- Look for practitioners trained in functional and integrative medicine.
- Confirm the provider spends extensive time explaining diagnosis, treatments and addressing your concerns.
- Read reviews from other patients to learn about their experiences.
Hormone Testing in Buffalo Grove
Comprehensive lab testing is crucial for accurately assessing your hormone levels before starting therapy. There are several options for getting tested in and around Buffalo Grove:
- Hormone Harmony offers in-house blood draw services for full endocrine panels along with genetic testing related to hormone health.
- Any Lab Test Now has a Schaumburg location providing a range of hormone tests without a doctor's order.
- HealthLabs.com allows you to order lab tests online and get blood drawn at local Quest Diagnostics.
- Northwest Community Hospital has outpatient lab services in Arlington Heights for hormone testing.
- Northwestern Medicine Diagnostic Laboratories perform complete hormone testing with 70 locations including Buffalo Grove.
Hormone Harmony collaborates with top reference labs to provide their patients with comprehensive hormone assessments and regular follow up testing to monitor treatment. Getting accurate baseline levels is the critical first step toward restoring hormone balance with proper therapy.
Ideal Times of Year for Hormone Therapy in Buffalo Grove
The changing seasons in Buffalo Grove can influence hormone levels and therapy effectiveness. Here is an overview of the best times to pursue hormone testing and treatment:
- Spring - The rebirth of spring is a great time to establish your hormone baseline with testing. Tree pollen can exacerbate symptoms during spring.
- Summer - Warm summer months are ideal for starting hormone therapy since outdoor exercise is easier.
- Fall - As temperatures cool, providers can tweak treatment plans if needed to combat seasonal symptoms.
- Winter - Short cold days can disrupt hormones like serotonin. Light therapy lamps can supplement treatment.
While hormone therapy is beneficial year-round, taking advantage of warmer weather to establish outdoor exercise habits can enhance results. During cold months, adding nutritional or light therapies may provide extra support. Hormone Harmony customizes treatment plans for the seasons.
Hormone Therapy and Mental Health
Hormone balance and mental health are deeply intertwined. When hormones fall out of optimal ranges, mental health issues like depression and anxiety often follow. Restoring hormones to healthy levels has mood-boosting benefits:
- Estrogen calms the nervous system and promotes feelings of wellbeing. Declining estrogen during menopause is linked to depression and irritability.
- Low testosterone reduces assertiveness and motivation. Testosterone therapy can combat seasonal affective disorder in men.
- Thyroid hormones support sustained mental energy. Imbalanced thyroid function is associated with mood disorders.
- DHEA provides resilience against stress. Supplementing DHEA improves mood and cognitive performance.
In addition to hormone therapy, practices like meditation, yoga and regular exercise can support mental health. Anti-depressant medications may be incorporated as needed under a doctor's supervision. Hormone Harmony takes an integrated approach to mental health, using bioidentical hormones, lifestyle changes and psychological care to help patients feel their best mentally and physically.
Conclusion
Hormone imbalances can significantly impair quality of life as we age. However, the good news is that hormone therapy provides an opportunity to regain wellness through individually tailored treatment plans. Lifestyle modifications further complement medical therapy. Buffalo Grove residents experiencing symptoms of hormone decline can find specialized help from providers like Hormone Harmony. Restoring hormonal balance leads to reduced symptoms, improved mental health, increased strength and energy, healthier weight, enhanced libido and an overall greater sense of wellbeing.
Hormone therapy works best when combined with a healthy active lifestyle. Take advantage of the diverse wellness resources Buffalo Grove offers local residents seeking to restore hormonal balance.
