Hormones play an important role in our body and regulate everything from our emotions to our breathing. Hormone imbalances can unexpectedly occur in life, and both men and women can be vulnerable to the dangerous symptoms they cause. Here at Knox Wellness Experience in Knoxville, TN, we offer therapy that uses bioidentical hormones to correct these types of issues, and we’ve had excellent results in helping our patients get relief for a wide range of symptoms.
What Are Bioidentical Hormones Used For?
Bioidentical hormones are used to alleviate the symptoms of hormone imbalances. It can correct these imbalances in both men and women by delivering various hormones, such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, into the body through the bloodstream. These hormones are called “bioidentical” because they are chemically identical to the hormones normally produced by your body, making this therapy a much safer option than many other types of treatments.
What Causes Hormone Imbalances?
Throughout life, many things can affect our hormone levels, such as puberty and chronic stress, as well as the aging process. For women, menopause and the stages just before and after it, perimenopause and postmenopause, can all deregulate the hormones estrogen and progesterone.
In men, a somewhat similar condition, andropause, can do the same, though this condition is normally the result of declining testosterone levels. Some of these issues in both men and women can sometimes naturally correct themselves over time. However, in other cases, treatment may be needed, as a hormonal imbalance can cause debilitating symptoms when left untreated.
How Does the Treatment Process Work?
Consultation
Before starting this therapy, there’s a consultation that helps us ensure that this is the right treatment for you. We’ll want to know about the symptoms you’ve been having, your general medical history, and what medications you’re currently taking.
Treatment
After the consultation, the therapy can then be administered in the following ways, depending on your needs:
Pellets
Hormone pellets are placed beneath the skin near your buttocks and have the advantage of being a bit more convenient than other options. Because we insert the pellets through a small incision, you won’t have to do anything else afterward, as they slowly dissolve and disappear on their own over time.
Creams
For those who prefer to administer this treatment themselves without any incisions, there are formulated creams available. With this option, we’ll provide you with instructions so you can regularly apply the cream yourself to the skin in different areas of the body.
Gels
Similar to creams, gels can also be applied to the skin, where they’re readily absorbed into the body and the bloodstream. Because this is commonly used to treat testosterone imbalances and can work more quickly than creams, it can be more appropriate for some patients.
Troches
As an oral delivery route, troches are hormone-based lozenges that dissolve inside the mouth. While they need to be regularly taken, they can be easily administered by simply placing them in the upper areas of your mouth between your gum and cheek.
Is There Any Downtime or Recovery Period?
There’s no downtime with this treatment, though we’ll recommend that you avoid bathing, swimming, and strenuous activities for the first few days after treatment if you’re treated with our pellet therapy. This is only because we’ll apply a bandage after treatment, which should stay in place for a few days, and these activities can cause it to fall off. You can otherwise carry out normal activities immediately, regardless of which form of therapy you’re receiving.
When Will I See Results With This Therapy?
How quickly the bioidentical hormones start working in your body depends on many factors, including which hormone delivery option you’re treated with. Hormone pellets, for example, may start working within a few days, but it can often take many weeks before improvements are noticed.
Creams, gels, and troches must be administered regularly, so while some effects might be noticed within days, more significant results should be seen within a few weeks as long as they’re taken as directed. Regardless of which option you’re treated with, it can take many months for the full effects to take place in some cases, as some patients have slower metabolisms or more severe imbalances than others.
Common Symptoms of Hormone Imbalances
The following are some common symptoms that you may be experiencing:
Hot Flashes
Hot flashes are one of the most common symptoms experienced by those with hormonal issues, and while they can affect just about anyone, they’re particularly common in women. Although they’re known for causing a sudden sensation of heat in the upper body, they often coincide with feelings of coldness, as well.
Mood Swings
We all go through different changes in mood throughout the day, but when these changes are severe and are occurring regularly, they’re known as mood swings. A hormone imbalance can cause this symptom, and your feelings can change quickly from any emotion to another, whether it’s happiness, sadness, anger, or something else.
Sexual Issues
Hormones play a vital role in the regulation of our sexual reproductive systems. Hormonal issues can cause vaginal dryness in women and erectile dysfunction in men, while both men and women can experience libido issues, such as a loss of sexual desire.
Depression
If you’ve been experiencing depression for long periods of time, this can be a symptom of hormonal dysfunction. Similar to how these types of issues can cause mood swings, they can also keep a person in a constant state of sadness or depression.
Brain Fog
When you have excessively high or low amounts of certain hormones, brain fog can also occur. This is a cognitive issue that can make it hard for you to concentrate, remember things, or stay alert while carrying out activities.
Sleep Issues
If your hormones are not in sync, you may also experience issues when trying to sleep. This can include insomnia, night sweats, and either nightmares or vivid dreams. You may also find yourself waking up at different points throughout the night, and this interrupted sleep can then cause grogginess during the day.
Skin Changes
The effect that hormones have on the skin is well-known because of their link to certain types of acne, but this isn’t the only skin issue that can arise when there are hormonal problems. The skin can also become dry, oily, sensitive, or itchy, and enlarged pores can develop and become visible.
Weight Gain
Sudden weight gain is often the result of hormonal problems, though this can occur both directly and indirectly. Abnormal hormone levels, whether they’re too high or too low, can directly cause you to gain weight, but they can also cause depression, which can lead to binge eating and unhealthy diets.
Chronic Fatigue
Feeling a bit tired every now and then can be normal but feeling exhausted every day is not. When your hormones become dysregulated, it can make you feel fatigued all the time, even when waking up after a long night’s rest.
Muscle Weakness
One of the key hormones that play a role in muscle strength is testosterone, and when someone’s body is lacking in this hormone, muscle weakness can occur. This is more common in men, and in addition to weakening strength, you may also notice an effect on your overall body mass as well.
Other Symptoms
While the symptoms above are some of the more commonly experienced ones, a hormone imbalance can cause many different issues. Regardless of what symptoms you’re having, we’ll be able to assess this during your initial consultation to determine how effective this therapy might be for you.
What Are the Benefits of This Therapy?
In addition to providing symptom relief for existing issues, this therapy can help to prevent many serious health issues from occurring later when started as soon as possible. It can also be performed on an outpatient basis or even at home, making it both quick and convenient.
Unlike some medications, there are no sedating effects while you’re on this treatment, so you’ll be able to function and stay alert while working. Also, because bioidentical hormones are structurally similar to those that your body produces, there’s no risk of your body rejecting them as a foreign substance.
Schedule Your Consultation With Us Today
If you suspect that you might be experiencing symptoms of a hormonal imbalance or if you’ve already been diagnosed with one and would like to have it treated, we’re here to help. To get started with bioidentical hormones, contact us today at Knox Wellness Experience in Knoxville, TN to schedule your initial consultation and let us help you get your life back.
