Hormone Therapy (BHRT)

Aging is a multi-factorial, complex process that consists of various factors that change and take their toll on our bodies. One such change is decreasing hormonal levels.

Hormones are messengers that affect body processes and a network of glands and organs responsible for producing and secreting hormones. As we age, a natural decline in hormones causes visible effects on the body and skin.

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For years, anti-aging hormone therapies have been practiced as a way for women and men to reclaim their sense of self and counteract many age-related hormonal changes.

For example, when menopause occurs in women, estrogen level dips have a natural digression that results in moodiness, hot flashes, sleeplessness, vaginal dryness and atrophy, and bone and skin, and hair health change. Many of these changes emotionally impact women who don’t feel as youthful as they once were. As a result, many experts consider hormone therapy the fountain of youth since it allows patients to regain a lost sense of self while counteracting the effects of aging.

Why Hormones Change With Age

In women, there is a natural aging phenomenon known as perimenopause, followed by menopause.

Perimenopause occurs in the mid 40’s and is the first part of the menopausal cycle. It occurs when estrogen and progesterone levels, two of the female sex hormones, decrease production, causing the first signs of hormonal changes. As a result, the skin can become dry, and breakouts may occur, among many other side effects.

Perimenopause occurs several years before the body shifts into menopause, which happens after a woman’s final period. During menopause, estrogen levels reduce, causing troublesome issues like hot flashes, dry skin, vaginal dryness, irritability, headaches, and thinning hair. In addition, some surgeries, like hysterectomies, which remove the ovaries, can cause estrogen levels to change drastically and quickly.

With dipping estrogen levels, changes are seen and felt throughout the body. Common symptoms of menopause and low estrogen include hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and vaginal dryness, as well as dry, thinning skin and hair loss.

Women aren’t the only ones to experience hormonal changes with age. Men can have decreased levels of testosterone, too, affecting their weight, sex drive, energy levels and even muscle tone and sleep patterns.

What is Hormone Therapy?

Hormone therapy is a commonly utilized medical treatment to alleviate the symptoms of menopause or not experiencing menopause, like those with thyroid stimulating hormone issues.

Hormone therapy reintroduces estrogen and other hormones (as deemed necessary) into the body to counteract the effects of decreased estrogen.

The main types of hormone therapy include:

Estrogen-only therapy relies only on estrogen to offset the symptoms of menopause. This method is often prescribed for women who have undergone a hysterectomy.
Estrogen plus progestogen therapy, which relies on estrogen and progestogen
Hormone utliziation therapy, the rebalacing of depleted hormones and decreasing testosterone levels.

Hormone therapy can be administered in various ways depending on what suits you and your practitioner’s specialization.

One of the newer and more popular ways to combat hormone fluctuations is hormone pellet therapy, which requires inserting tiny pellets into fatty tissue within the body (under the skin) without requiring daily or weekly treatments. The pellets provide steady levels of hormones so that there are minimal side effects.

Most hormone therapy uses bioidentical hormones, which are closest to the body’s production. Bioidentical hormones can impact bodily processes like sex, the brain, food digestion, and growth, which are also controlled by naturally occurring hormones. Bioidentical hormones help balance progesterone, estrogen, or testosterone when an imbalance exists. These hormones can also be custom compounded to have a similar structure to what the body produces while providing a benefit to you.

Besides providing relief from the symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness and discomfort, hormone therapy can also help prevent bone loss. However, hormone therapy should always be tailored to your needs and health levels.

Who Is The Ideal Candidate for Hormone Therapy?

Many women can benefit from hormone therapy, but it’s important to make sure that you have a proper consultation first to determine if you are a fit for hormone therapy.

Those who benefit most from hormone therapy are healthy but experiencing:

Moderate to severe hot flashes
Extreme night sweats
Vaginal dryness, itching, burning, and discomfort
Painful sexual intercourse
Dry, itchy skin
Early symptoms of menopause
Estrogen deficiencies
Thyroid issues
Male hormonal changes
Abnormal hormone levels

Some conditions prevent women from hormone replacement, including:

A history of blood clots
Cancer
Heart, gallbladder, or liver disease
Heart attacks
Pregnancy
Stroke
Vaginal bleeding
Smokers

What Are The Benefits?

The benefits of hormone therapy are endless. Some women and men find it helps with dry skin, while others see improved mood and less irritability.

Each person finds their solace in hormone therapy, but the main benefits of balanced hormones through the treatment include:

In addition to these benefits, hormone therapy can help prevent bone loss and reduce osteoporosis in many women. With treatment, there’s an overall improvement in quality of life and a happier outlook, too.

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How is Hormone Therapy Performed

Since there are several methods of delivering estrogen and other hormones to the body, the option you choose dictates how the therapy is performed.

Many delivery vehicles, including creams, pills, and oral medication, are taken at home daily. Others, like pellet therapy, are performed as a procedure.

Pellet hormone therapy is a quick and easy procedure that takes about 20 minutes without downtime or recovery. The area where the pellets will be inserted is first numbed during the treatment. Then, the skin is cleansed and sterilized. Next, small pellets are inserted under the skin in the fatty tissue of the butt or hips. Then, a special insertion tool is used to place the pellets, which contain a predetermined dose of hormones that will last for a few months and slowly release the hormones.

After the pellets are inserted, a bandage is placed over the site to protect the skin. It also helps to keep the pellets in place until the skin naturally heals and adheres. Then, you can resume your routine as usual with no restrictions. Over the coming months, the pellets will naturally dissolve, allowing for a slow yet steady release of hormones, similar to how the body produces hormones. Every few months, new pellets must be inserted (often into a different area) to keep hormone levels at a healthy balance.

How Much Does Hormone Therapy Cost?

The cost of hormone therapy treatments varies for each patient, depending on their needs.

What hormone therapy balancing may cost for one person will likely be different for someone else. Therefore, a detailed consultation is best to determine a more accurate treatment price.

The Results

The results of hormone therapy vary from person to person, depending on what affects them the most.

But, generally speaking, most patients see an overall improvement in skin and hair health and feel better about themselves while on the therapy.

The most notable results include the following:

Symptoms menopause relief
A reduction in hot flashes and night sweats
Increased vaginal lubrication
Improved quality of life
Stronger, denser bones
Skin hydration
Improved hair health and thickness
Reduced risk of some cancers and osteoporosis
Improved mood with less irritability and anxiety

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the risks of hormone therapy?

Like all elective treatments, hormone therapy has potential risks, although rare. If you are at a higher risk of these conditions you should always be evaluated to determine if hormone therapy is right for you. Some of the more serious risks to be aware of include:

Heart disease
Stroke
Blood clots
Breast cancer

How old do I need to be to get hormone therapy?

Most women don’t opt for hormone therapy until they are experiencing the symptoms of menopause which can start in their early 60s but varies from person to person. But anyone over the age of 30 is eligible for hormone therapy if they do not display any counteractive pre-existing conditions.

How often will I need to get the pellets replaced?

Most pellets work to stabilize hormone levels for a few months before a new set of pellets needs to be inserted. The pellets are designed to release a steady dose of hormones slowly and then naturally dissolve on their own. Pellet placement routes around the body, usually in the hips and buttocks, so the same incision area is not used every time.

Are you Ready to Experience the AFL Beauty Bar Difference?

If you’re ready to get back to ‘you’ and have an easier time with menopause, there’s no better time to book a consultation with AFL Beauty Bar. A one-on-one consultation with our experienced, certified team of skin experts will determine the best hormone therapy treatment for you. We can customize a unique package specific to your needs to achieve the best results possible. Click the button below to schedule a consultation or book your hormone therapy appointment today!