What Are My Treatment Options for Hormone Balance?

When most of us hear the words estrogen and testosterone, we immediately think of sexual health and reproduction. While these hormones play critical roles in these functions, their reach is far wider, and their influence on our health and wellness is far more profound.

However, as we get older, our levels of estrogen and testosterone change dramatically, and those changes can have marked effects on our health. The good news Is That Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help by supplementing natural hormones and supporting optimal wellness.

Jacob Simhaee, MD, is a leading provider of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, utilizing products designed to be compatible with the human body. Learn more about the effects of hormone decline and the options available to help you enjoy optimal health at every stage of life.

Hormonal shifts: Causes and effects

As we get older, our bodies naturally decrease their production of estrogen and testosterone. For women, those declines lead to perimenopause and menopause, a time when periods end and a woman can no longer become pregnant. 

Hot flashes and night sweats are among the most common menopause-related symptoms, but for both women and men, hormonal declines typically lead to a host of other symptoms, too, like:

• Problems sleeping
• Weight gain
• Decrease in energy levels
• Decline in sexual desire
• Fatigue
• Moodiness and irritability
• Reduced muscle mass
• Cognitive issues, sometimes called “brain fog”

Lifestyle changes, such as adopting a healthier diet and increasing physical activity, may help mitigate some of these symptoms, but for most people, these benefits are limited.

That’s where bioidentical HRT can help. Bioidentical hormones are chemically identical to the hormones your body produces naturally, meaning they’re "processed," used, and eliminated in the same way for better tolerance, increased bioavailability, and fewer side effects.

Know your HRT treatment options

Bioidentical HRT is “dosed” depending on your needs, which means we can fine-tune your treatment for the best possible results. Better still, HRT can be administered using various delivery methods, tailored to your specific needs and preferences.

For instance, women with symptoms like vaginal dryness may benefit from a topically applied cream or gel to increase estrogen inside the vaginal canal, especially when they don’t have systemic symptoms, too. For more widespread symptoms, pills, shots, and patches offer an alternative, but they do require regular dosing to remain effective.

For many people, HRT pellets offer the most convenient solution. About the size of a single grain of rice, pellets are inserted just under our skin, releasing a steady supply of hormones over 3-6 months, mimicking your body’s supply of hormones without the “peaks and valleys” associated with pills or hormone shots.

Pellets are inserted in a quick in-office procedure using a special applicator device. Inserted in your buttocks, you can’t feel or see the pellet once it’s in place. When the pellet is depleted, it’s removed and replaced right in our office.

Pellets help maintain stable, predictable hormone levels, allowing your body to stay in balance. And because effects last for months, pellets are much more convenient than creams, pills, shots, and patches, which require far more frequent application.

Find out if HRT is right for you

While hormone imbalances are common as we get older, age is just one possible factor that can influence our hormone levels. Before prescribing HRT or any other therapy, Dr. Simhaee performs a comprehensive examination with laboratory testing to ensure your treatment is tailored to your unique needs.

To learn more about hormone imbalances and how HRT can help you, request an appointment online or over the phone with Dr. Simhaee and his team at their practices in Manhasset and Forest Hills, New York, today.