What is hormone replacement Therapy (BHRT)?
At Optima Medical Spa, our board-certified physician, Dr. Abraham (Avi) Ishaaya, can diagnose and treat hormonal imbalances for men and women. When you are in the diagnostic phase for this type of treatment, you will have a comprehensive physical exam with a blood test and urinalysis. With the blood draw, we will be evaluating:
- A comprehensive metabolic panel
- Hormone levels
- Lipids
- An inflammatory panel
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Blood glucose and diabetes screening
- A pregnancy test (if appropriate)
Dr. Ishaaya can order the appropriate tests or imaging to screen you for and/or rule out other medical conditions that have similar symptoms. He will also ask about current medications, your lifestyle, and other factors to make a decision on whether or not hormone replacement therapy is the right course of action. Most of our patients at Optima Medical Spa in Los Angeles, CA tolerate our bioidentical hormone therapy in pellet form. If you would like to have a comprehensive consultation for hormone replacement therapy, contact us today. We will review your test results with you and help you make a decision on the next steps for hormone replacement therapy.
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What Are the Benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy?
While the benefits of hormone replacement therapy are different for men and women, all genders can find great advantages from this form of treatment. Typically, our patients use it to alleviate unwanted symptoms of hormone imbalance, such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, vaginal dryness, erectile dysfunction, and a reduced sex drive. However, there are a wide number of benefits associated with the treatment. During your consultation, our staff will walk you through exactly what you can expect from your completely customized plan.
Who is a candidate for hormone replacement therapy?
Anyone who is experiencing symptoms related to hormone imbalance can be a candidate for hormone replacement therapy at Optima Medical Spa. This includes both men and women, although the benefits may differ depending on your age and gender. Our trained team will work with you to create a plan that is tailored specifically to your needs and health. We offer comprehensive care, so you can feel confident that you are getting the best possible treatment.
Why do women need BHRT?
Women who are in their 40s may be experiencing hormonal imbalances and can have one or multiple symptoms, such as:
- Body temperature changes (hot flashes/night sweats)
- Brain fog and poor concentration
- Muscle loss
- More fatigued than usual
- Vaginal itching
- Sexual dysfunction (pain, vaginal dryness, low libido)
- Menstrual period irregularities or changes
- Osteoporosis
- Weight gain or loss
- Depressive mood
- Hair loss
- High-risk for heart disease
- And more
We can try to ease these symptoms with bioidentical hormone therapies to give you some relief. Menopause may also be a factor in your changing body. We can discuss all of these indicators in a private consultation.
Why do men need BHRT?
Men have some of the same symptoms of a hormonal imbalance as women. However, men may experience the symptoms at an earlier age if testosterone levels are low. Testosterone levels decline when men are in their 20s. By age 40, the decrease in testosterone can be very noticeable:
- Bone loss
- Decreased energy levels and exercise endurance
- Depressive mood
- Erectile dysfunction
- Hair loss
- Impaired concentration and poor memory
- Mood swings
- Night sweats
- No sex drive
- Poor sleep quality or insomnia
- Weak muscle or loss of muscle tone
- Weight gain or loss
How does Pellet Placement work?
When you come to your appointment at Optima Medical Spa, Dr. Ishaaya will provide you with a comprehensive medical exam and other diagnostic tests. These tests will help him determine if hormone replacement therapy is the right course of action. Also, we need to measure your exact hormone levels so that you get the appropriate dose. This is not a one-size-fits-all type of treatment.
He will ask about your diet, current medications, health history, symptoms, and family medical history. Once we have your blood test results, Dr. Ishaaya can start your treatment. We offer pellet therapy to our patients. We can insert the pellet therapy under your skin right here in our office with a local anesthetic. The pellets will metabolize in your body in a period of months. You will need to come back to our office for recurrent blood draws to make sure you have a therapeutic level of the medication. Dr. Ishaaya can make adjustments at your next insertion appointment as needed.
How can I maintain my Pellet Therapy?
We hope that you have a positive experience with our hormone replacement therapies, yet we are realistic that you may have some side effects. Communicate with Dr. Ishaaya if you feel the medication is too high or not doing anything at all. He will help you make adjustments. What you can do is to make sure that you are coming back for consistent hormone checks and visits with Dr. Ishaaya to go over your symptoms. He may make other recommendations, like changing your diet, level of exercise intensity, a regular sleep schedule, counseling, and more. The good news is that hormone replacement therapy can be a solution to your medical condition with proper care.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is bioidentical hormone pellet therapy different from pills, creams, and patches?
The bioidentical hormone pellets are not synthetic pharmaceuticals, artificial stimulants, or animal derivatives. Each pellet is identical to the hormone naturally produced by the body. Unlike pills, creams, and patches that require you to consistently and continuously self administer them, bioidentical hormones work together with your body by responding to your body’s specific needs. Another major difference is the delivery method: the pellets deliver the hormones directly into the bloodstream through the capillaries to deliver them to your tissues and organs. When you take hormones orally, about 90 percent goes directly to the liver, which can cause inflammation or clotting. Additionally, bioidentical hormone pellet therapy has been safely used and studied for over six decades. Further, bioidentical hormones support the cardiovascular system and do not increase breast cancer risks.
Is bioidentical hormone pellet therapy for me?
If you suffer from PMS, perimenopause, menopause, andropause, or can answer yes to the following questions, you are most likely suffering from a hormone deficiency and will benefit from bioidentical hormone pellet therapy:
Why are hormones so important?
There are three important sex hormones that play a crucial role in the physical and emotional well-being of both men and women. Thus, if you are deficient in any of them, you most likely will feel off balance and will exhibit symptoms that will affect your well-being. Here are some of the reasons why we should have our hormones in check:
- Cardiovascular protection
- Improves mood, memory, and sleep
- Better energy level
- Prevents bone loss
- Decreases insulin resistance
- Reduces the likelihood of macular degeneration
Progesterone:
- Balances estrogen
- Protects nerve cells and brain function
- Increases neurotransmitters that calm us
- Protects the uterus and breasts
- Aids in weight loss
- Lowers cholesterol
- Can eliminate fluid retention and bloating
- Increases libido and sexual drive
- Cardiovascular protection
- Reduces cholesterol and triglycerides
- Protects the brain
- Improves sleep, mood, and memory
- Builds bone and muscle
- Increases energy levels
- Reduces risk of diabetes
- Lessens migraine or menstrual headaches
- Reduces aches, pains, and stiffness
- Improves skin quality
Finding Your Balance
Men and women, like you, who are seeking relief from hormonal issues can call Optima Medical Spa for a comprehensive exam and lab tests to find answers. Dr. Ishaaya will make recommendations based on what is needed and nothing more. He will review your test results and explain what they mean. We can help you make an informed decision to start hormone replacement therapy and feel more like yourself again. Call today for an appointment in our Los Angeles, CA office.
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