How Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy Improves Quality of Life for Men
Many people tend to categorize hormone imbalances as a female health issue and believe hormone replacement therapy is a female-centric treatment. However, hormone imbalances affect men, too, and you might be surprised to learn that an estimated two million men undergo hormone replacement therapy yearly.
This comes as no surprise to Internal medicine specialist Dr. Diane Brzezinski, D.O., who offers hormone replacement therapy for men at her Naples, Florida practice. Male hormone imbalances primarily involve decreases in testosterone levels that naturally occur due to aging. However, imbalances can also be caused by metabolic syndrome, thyroid issues, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Whatever the cause, Dr. B knows first-hand that hormone replacement therapy can successfully address several different symptoms and improve the quality of life in men with hormone deficiencies. The first hurdle, though, is getting men to recognize that hormone imbalances may be the source of undiagnosed symptoms that include:
- Decrease in libido and sexual performance
- Muscle mass loss
- Weight gain
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Acne
- Elevated blood sugars
- Low blood pressure
Correct Your Hormone Imbalance with Bio-Identical Pellet Therapy
Dr. B treats hormone imbalances in men and women with bioidentical hormone replacement pellet therapy (BHRT). This allows her to customize treatment for each patient’s specific hormonal needs. BHRT uses all-natural, plant-based “bio-identical” hormones that replicate the molecular structure of our naturally produced hormones. This allows our bodies to absorb and utilize the hormones more effectively than those produced synthetically. As a pellet-based therapy in which pellets inserted under the skin provide an as-needed steady and consistent absorption of the hormones, BHRT overcomes problems with energy levels and mood fluctuations caused by traditional oral and transdermal hormone delivery.
Most of Dr. B’s patients report improvements in hormone imbalance-related symptoms within one to two months of pellet insertion. Occasionally the patients will feel the full effect of this therapy in their second round of pellets. In addition to helping resolve specific symptoms, many patients also report a boost to their quality of life based on:
- Feeling healthier overall
- Improved mental focus
- Significant increases in energy
- Higher quality of sleep
- Enhanced sex life
Restore Sexual Performance with Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy
While a direct consequence of aging, low testosterone levels can affect men at any age with a marked reduction in sexual desire and a related decline in sexual performance. Dr. B can check your testosterone levels to determine whether you could benefit from bio-identical hormone pellet therapy. The molecularly identical testosterone in the pellets can help men restore testosterone levels, which in turn helps boost the libido and improve sexual performance.
Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy Can Help Address Thyroid Problems
As a metabolic processor and one of men’s primary hormone producers, the thyroid often causes hormone imbalances. Several thyroid disorders can disrupt a man’s metabolism and affect hormone production. Whether acute or chronic, when the thyroid’s natural functioning gets disrupted, it generally has difficulty resuming normal production of hormone levels. Not only does BHRT help alleviate the symptoms associated with these thyroid disorders, but it can also help jumpstart the thyroid’s ability to resume hormonal production and balance.
Researchers Studying Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy’s Effectiveness at Easing PTSD Symptoms
Because researchers believe that PTSD can cause hormone imbalances, some medical professionals offer hormone therapy as an adjunct to psychotherapy and other medications. By alleviating symptoms characterized by both PTSD and hormone imbalance, bio-identical hormone pellet therapy may make it easier for patients to gain relief from other PTSD symptoms. Studies are currently underway to evaluate BHRT’s effectiveness in helping alleviate PTSD symptoms in military service members.
Learn more about Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy at Dr. B’s Naples, Florida Internal Medicine Practice
If you would like to learn more about how bio-identical hormone therapy might be able to help you alleviate symptoms related to hormone imbalances, Dr. B would be glad to consult with you. As a certified provider, Dr. B can test your hormone levels and strategize a BHRT plan designed to restore your hormone levels. To learn more, contact Dr. B’s Naples-based Internal Medicine practice today by calling (239) 261-9990.