Hormones are of a great importance to your overall health as they are responsible for many body processes. For example, hormones control your immune system function, sex drive, mood, growth, digestion, and more. Therefore, when your hormone levels are imbalanced, your health may face a broad spectrum of issues with adverse side effects.
Fortunately, correcting these imbalances is possible with the various bioidentical hormone treatment options we offer in our Cleveland office. This therapy involves a personalized treatment plan to supplement low hormones and reduce adverse health impacts. If you show symptoms of hormonal imbalance, schedule a bioidentical hormone replacement therapy consultation with our caring OBGYN in our Lyndhurst and Westlake offices.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy uses manufactured hormones that are chemically identical to those found naturally within the body. Typically, the manufactured hormones come from plant estrogens that mimic estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Though hormonal imbalances can occur in men and women at any age for various reasons, a common motivation for this form of therapy is managing menopause symptoms.
For men, this form of therapy helps relieve the symptoms of typical hormonal imbalances that occur with age or due to other medical conditions. As such, our gynecologist in Cleveland, could offer bioidentical hormone treatment options that may help correct hormonal imbalances due to cancer treatments. Additional benefits may include improvements in skin thickness, elasticity, and hydration. Further, this treatment may reduce the appearance of mild to moderate wrinkles and fine lines.
The treatment options for bioidentical hormone replacement in Cleveland come in various forms and pose different pros and cons depending on the patient. Our caring medical team could help a patient determine which treatment option is right for them based on the reason for their hormonal imbalance.
Pellet therapy involves implanting a tablet about the size of a grain of rice underneath the skin, typically in the buttocks. A benefit of this method is the consistent supply of the hormone to the bloodstream for three to six months until the pellet dissolves completely. It is important to note that the pellet insertion does pose a small risk of infection and requires a minor outpatient procedure every few months for reinsertion of new pellets.
Creams and gels for bioidentical hormone replacement therapy are easy to apply and absorbs directly into the bloodstream, reducing risks to internal organs. However, the topical treatments may come off easily, pose a high risk of over-application and skin irritation, and transfer to others through physical contact. In addition, if a patient applies an excessive amount of an HRT gel or cream, it may result in adverse side effects.
Patches containing a predetermined amount of bioidentical hormones are another treatment option. The patches stick to the skin for a specified amount of time and are continuously replaced. Though this is a straightforward approach to this form of therapy, there is a small risk of the patch falling off and causing skin irritation. Some individuals may also avoid this option because the patch is visible.
Hormone injections are another treatment option and offer a substantial degree of treatment flexibility. Unlike other options, such as the pellets, injections allow for treatment alterations when attempting to find the best balance of hormones for a patient.
A daily hormone pill is an easy-to-use and well-researched treatment option. However, not every hormone is suitable for the pill method, and oral ingestion can pose health risks to the body and internal organs. Another variable to consider is the body’s absorption rate, as it differs for each patient and may affect the treatment’s effectiveness.
Struggling with hormonal imbalances leads to various health impacts that affect almost all the body’s processes. Luckily, our office offers several bioidentical hormone treatment options in Cleveland that are non-invasive and effective.
Since each application method has benefits and drawbacks, your unique needs and medical history influence which approach may be best for you. To learn more, schedule a bioidentical hormone replacement therapy consultation with Dr. Gitiforooz in our Lyndhurst or Westlake office today.