For many years, the most commonly prescribed drug in the nation was a synthetic estrogen made from horses urine (Premarin). Premarin in pill form is offered in five different dosages. In recent years, studies have linked negative outcomes to conventional hormone replacement therapy, such as increased risk of cancer and heart disease. Today, conventional hormone therapy is approached more cautiously.

Recent years have seen the emergence of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, which takes a more individualized, natural approach to hormone replacement. In bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), hormones are biologically identical to human hormones on a molecular level, which is believed to help the body accept the hormone more effectively and avoid side effects commonly experienced with synthetic hormones. Additionally, bioidentical hormones are prescribed on a case-by-case basis based on the specific dosage needs of each patient. Instead of just five dosage options, none of which may be right for you, your Amen Clinics doctor can determine any dose that you specifically need and it will get made for you. This individualized approach makes far better sense than a one size fits all approach no two people are exactly the same, so why would their hormone levels be? And since our bodies are so sensitive to hormone levels, precision dosages are ideal.

At Amen Clinics, we offer individualized dosages and combinations of the following hormones, which we carefully administer based on your unique hormone profile determined in yourbiomedical evaluation.

Estrogen is the major female sex hormone (though men have it, too). When a woman doesnt have enough of it, it impacts her libido, her immune system, her mental health and her heart health, to name a few. Menopause is the time in a womans life when estrogen production naturally falls off, leading to such common side effects as hot flashes, forgetfulness, mood swings, vaginal dryness and depression. This is why menopause is the time in life when most women think about hormone replacement therapy. Estrogen replacement has been shown in studies to improve cognition in post-menopausal women. It can also normalize the ups and downs of menopause and help women regain and maintain a feeling of normalcy and wellbeing.

Much more than a female sex hormone, progesterone can support GABA, the brains relaxation neurotransmitter (progesterone receptors are highly concentrated in the brain). We like to think of progesterone as the feel-good hormone. When progesterone is low, women can experience anxiety and depression, sleep difficulty and bone loss. Many women can become what is known as estrogen dominant and can suffer a litany of problems due to this relative lack of progesterone (think PMS). Progesterone replacement can be incredibly helpful for women who have problems that get worse with their menstrual cycle.

The primary male sex hormone, testosterone in men is responsible for sex drive, muscle mass, bone density and an overall sense of wellbeing. Andropause is the gradual decrease of testosterone production in older men, a little bit like menopause is to women. With its anti-inflammatory properties, testosterone has been connected to chronic pain. In women, testosterone helps protect the nervous system and ward off depression and Alzheimers disease.

The thyroid gland drives the production of many neurotransmitters that run the brain. If your thyroid is low, you feel sluggish, mentally foggy and depressed; if its high, you feel anxious, jittery and irritable. Experts conservatively estimate that one-third of all depressions are directly related to thyroid imbalance. Low thyroid function remains one of the most under-diagnosed medical conditions in the country and proper evaluation and treatment of this condition is vital to both mental and physical health.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a precursor hormone to the sex hormones, meaning testosterone, estrogen and progesterone are all converted from DHEA. Stress can take a toll on DHEA levels, which when low have been linked to weight gain, depression and chronic pain. Conversely, studies show that higher levels of DHEA as you age are associated with longevity.

In some severe cases of fatigue and excessive stress over a long period of time, the adrenal glands may become fatigued or unable to cope with the bodys demand for adrenal hormones. There are natural ways to support the adrenal gland, but in some cases replacing adrenal hormones with prescription medications like cortisol can have a dramatic effect on improving quality of life. Adrenal hormones should be evaluated and replaced by an expert in hormone replacement therapy.

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Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy - Amen Clinics

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