Hormone Replacement Therapy in Fort Collins, CO

Is HRT Right For You?

What Is Hormone Replacement Therapy?

HRT is a medical treatment used to restore optimal hormone levels in people with hormone imbalances or deficiencies. It works by replacing naturally occurring hormones with synthetic or bioidentical hormones. Both synthetic hormones and bioidentical hormones are made in a lab. They are designed to mimic the structure and function of hormones produced in the body. The primary difference is that synthetic hormones are made from chemical compounds, while bio-identical hormones are made from plant sources.

HRT can be delivered in various ways, such as pills, patches, creams, or gels. It can also be delivered through injections or implants placed under the skin. The frequency of HRT depends on the individual’s needs and which type of hormone replacement therapy is used. Oral or topical forms of HRT may require more frequent dosing, sometimes even on a daily basis.

Health Issues We Can Help You With

There are a lot of things that can cause hormonal imbalances, including age, stress, diet, and lifestyle. Certain medical conditions can lead to hormone imbalances, such as autoimmune disorders, endocrine gland injuries, and tumors. However, HRT is most commonly used to treat health issues that are caused by age-related changes in hormone levels, such as the following:

Moderate To Severe Perimenopause Symptoms

Perimenopause is the natural transition period that occurs before menopause and usually starts in a woman’s late thirties or early forties. It typically lasts for 4 to 8 years before menopause officially sets in. During this time, a woman’s body begins to produce less estrogen and progesterone, which are the two primary female hormones. This decrease in hormone levels can lead to various symptoms, such as irregular periods, moderate or severe hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, mood changes, and loss of libido.

Early Menopause Or Estrogen Deficiency

Early menopause is when a woman enters menopause before age 40. Various factors, including genetics, autoimmunity, and certain medications or treatments can cause it. It can also result as a side effect of some surgeries, such as a hysterectomy or chemotherapy. Early menopause can lead to numerous symptoms, such as weight gain, slowed metabolism, chills, hot flashes, night sweats, and insomnia due to severe estrogen deficiency.

Early Onset Of Andropause In Men

Andropause is a natural decline in testosterone levels that usually occurs as men age that can cause a variety of symptoms. Generally speaking, andropause occurs in a man’s 40s or 50s. However, early onset of andropause can occur in men as early as their 30s due to various factors, including medications, medical conditions, and lifestyle choices.

Symptoms of andropause include mood swings and irritability, loss of muscle mass, reduced ability to exercise (because of fatigue), fat redistribution (which means more fat around the waist and less muscle), decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction, difficulty focusing or concentrating, and depression.

How Is Hormone Replacement Therapy Administered

HRT works by replacing lost hormones with synthetic or bio-identical hormones, which can help restore the hormone balance by replacing hormones the body is no longer producing. HRT is usually administered in one of three ways:

Hormone Pellets

Hormone pellets are tiny discs of hormones, usually testosterone or estrogen, that are implanted just beneath the skin. This procedure is done under local anesthesia in a doctor’s office using a very small incision in the fat tissue near the hip. The pellets slowly dissolve into the bloodstream over time, releasing hormones into the body and providing consistent doses of hormones for up to 4 months for women and up to 7 months for men.

Pills

Pills are the most common form of HRT, containing hormones in tablet or capsule form. These pills can be taken orally at home for a specified period– usually once or twice a day. HRT pills typically come in one of two forms:

• Estrogen pills: These pills contain synthetic or bio-identical estrogen, which helps relieve perimenopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats. However, estrogen, by itself, can stimulate the growth of the lining of the uterus. As a result, it can increase the risk of endometrial cancer. As such, doctors will generally only prescribe estrogen pills to women who have had their uterus removed.
• Estrogen/ progestin combination pills: These pills contain synthetic or bio-identical estrogen and progestin (a synthetic version of progesterone). The presence of progestin helps offset the risk of endometrial cancer that can come with taking estrogen alone.

Skin Patches

Hormone patches are small, adhesive patches that are applied to the skin. These patches slowly release hormones into the bloodstream through the skin. This method of HRT provides a steady, consistent dose of hormones over an extended period of time. The patch must be worn for several days and then replaced with a fresh patch. This method is usually used to treat menopausal symptoms but can also treat low testosterone levels in men with andropause.

• Estrogen skin patch: Like the estrogen pill, the estrogen skin patch comes with the same risk of cancer unless you’ve had your uterus removed.
• Estrogen/ progestin skin patch: The estrogen/progestin skin patch works the same way but helps offset the risk of endometrial cancer by including progestin in the patch.

At-Home Administered Injections

At-home administered injections for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) provide individuals with a flexible and convenient option for managing hormone imbalances. Administered every 1-2 weeks, these injections empower patients to self-administer their prescribed hormones in the comfort of their homes, reducing the need for frequent clinic visits. With user-friendly kits and comprehensive training, patients can maintain a consistent dosage, improve treatment adherence, and benefit from remote monitoring and support from healthcare providers. This modern approach to HRT not only enhances convenience but also aligns with evolving healthcare practices, offering a patient-centric solution to hormone management.

Our Personalized Approach To Your Treatment

We understand that every patient’s situation is unique and requires a personalized approach. That’s why we take the time to get to know each of our patients and their individual needs to develop a customized treatment plan. We will correctly diagnose hormone imbalances using blood tests and perform various other medical assessments to pinpoint the underlying cause and ensure that the right treatment is prescribed.

When it comes to HRT, we use EvexiPEL hormone pellets as part of our HRT treatment solution. EvexiPEL is designed by Evexias Health Solutions, a leading provider of hormone imbalance solutions for both men and women. The implantation procedure takes as little as 15 minutes.

What You Can Expect After The Procedure

Using EvexiPEL hormone pellets means you don’t have to take a daily pill. Instead, once implanted, you’ll only have to replace them two to four times a year. EvexiPEL hormone pellets are absorbed through cardiac output, which means that they mimic the body’s natural pathway for delivery. Additionally, the EvexiPEL hormone pellet is custom-compounded and contains bioidentical hormones that are structurally identical to your body’s natural hormones. Because they are bioidentical, results will be faster and more effective than non-bioidentical hormone therapies.

We take a holistic approach to providing care. This means that not only do we offer the right treatment for your specific needs, but we also provide ongoing care to ensure that your health is maintained. We will monitor the progress of our patients after their hormone therapy and make adjustments accordingly. If, at any point symptoms recur, we will recommend additional testing, such as lab tests, to assess hormone levels and further pinpoint the cause of the hormone imbalance. We will also provide recommendations and lifestyle advice to help maintain results.

Restore Hormone Balance In Your Body

At Square One Health, we understand that hormone imbalances can have a significant impact on your overall health and quality of life. As such, we design personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s needs. We will work with you to diagnose and treat any hormone imbalances you may be experiencing, so you can feel your best. With our help, you can achieve balance and better health for a happier life.

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