Consider Bioidentical Hormone Treatment to Improve the Health of Your Aging Skin
Bioidentical hormone therapy is a core component of Dr. Diane Brzezinski’s practice. Dr. B has used hormone pellet therapy to treat hundreds of Naples, Florida-area patients who have experienced symptoms relating to low testosterone and menopause. Whether to boost levels of testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, or some combination thereof, patients typically report numerous benefits, including:
- Reduction in depression, anxiety, irritability, and mood swings
- Restoration of sleep patterns
- Bone density maintenance
- Prevent hair loss
- Muscle strength gains
- Increased energy
- Enhanced libido
- And more
Hormone imbalances are known to compromise overall health and many studies suggest that optimal hormone levels may boost the body’s natural ability to prevent specific diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and others. Hormone specialists also believe that optimal hormone levels help stave off the impacts of aging and recent research suggests that bioidentical hormone therapy can improve the health of aging skin and ease age-related dry skin and itchiness symptoms
Dry Itchy Skin a Symptom of Menopause—Estrogen the Cure?
Reductions in estrogen related to menopause are believed to accelerate collagen breakdown, decrease elastin, impair skin repair, and reduce the skin’s water retention capabilities, all of which lead to dry, itchy skin. This also inhibits the skin’s ability to recoil from stretching, makes it more fragile, and more susceptible to wrinkling.
Researchers have found that women receiving long-term hormone replacement therapy have more elastic skin and less severe wrinkling than those who have never had such therapy. Additionally, researchers have found that estrogen treatment of 12-months duration or longer can increase skin thickness, increase water retention, and speed up skin healing functions.
Progesterone levels also decrease with menopause. Because progesterone is a key stimulator of collagen production and helps reduce skin inflammation, including progesterone as part of hormone therapy should help further enhance the overall health of aging skin.
Other Hormones Also Have Proven Skin Benefits
Other hormones utilized with hormone therapy have also been shown to have skin benefits. The endogenous steroid hormone DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) has shown promising results in both topical and oral formulations to help thicken and tighten the skin. One recent study found that DHEA helped prevent tears in the fragile skin of elderly patients.
Low testosterone levels are known to cause dry skin conditions and to exacerbate chronic skin-related ailments, such as psoriasis. Researchers believe that boosting testosterone levels can improve skin tightening and elasticity, while its enhancement of underlying muscle development can further tighten and improve the look of the overlying skin.
Consult with Dr. B in Naples to See if Hormone Pellet Therapy is Right for You
Your age-related skin concerns might be related in part to low hormone levels. Dr. B can assess your hormone levels to determine whether they might be affecting your skin and/or impacting your health in other ways. Dr. B relies on bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) as part of a holistic approach to ease all age-related issues. Also referred to as hormone pellet therapy, BHRT utilizes plant-based hormones that are chemically identical to our natural hormones. Dr. B customizes each therapy to fit the specific hormonal deficiencies as determined by blood test results. In pellet form inserted gently into the skin, BHRT is delivered into the blood at a consistent rate to provide patients with steady levels of estrogen. This helps limit fluctuations in patient mood and energy levels that tend to occur with standard oral and transdermal delivery of hormone replacement.
To learn more about hormone pellet therapy and Dr. B’s holistic approach to addressing skin care and other aging concerns, contact Dr. B’s Naples-based Internal Medicine practice today through our easy online form, or by calling (239) 261-9990.