Feeling constantly tired, struggling with weight gain, dealing with mood swings, or noticing a drop in your sex drive? You may blame it on aging, but in many cases, these can be signs of a hormone imbalance.
Hormones are chemical messengers that regulate almost every function in your body, from metabolism and sleep to mood, energy levels, and reproductive health.
As we age, hormone levels naturally begin to decline. For women, this occurs during perimenopause and menopause, when estrogen and progesterone decrease. For men, testosterone levels usually begin to drop after the age of 30.
These hormonal changes can lead to several unwanted symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, fatigue, brain fog, low libido, weight gain, mood changes, and erectile dysfunction, which can affect your quality of life.
That’s where bioidentical hormone therapy can help, by restoring hormones to normal levels using compounds that are chemically identical to those your body naturally produces.
At NP2GO, we provide personalized bioidentical hormone therapy programs designed to address the root cause of hormonal imbalance, not just the symptoms.
This guide will explain what bioidentical hormone therapy is, who it’s for, how it works, and what you can expect when starting treatment in Oklahoma.
What Is Bioidentical Hormone Therapy (BHRT)?
Bioidentical hormone therapy is a medical treatment that uses hormones that are chemically identical to the ones your body naturally produces. These hormones are derived from plant extracts and are formulated to match the exact molecular structure of human hormones.
BHRT is designed to restore hormone levels that have declined due to age, stress, medical conditions, or life stages such as menopause, perimenopause, and andropause.
The hormones that are commonly replaced are testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone.
BHRT is available in several forms, including creams, gels, pellets, injections, and oral capsules. Your provider will recommend the best option based on your needs, lifestyle, and health history.
Signs You Might Need Hormone Therapy
As we age, certain hormone levels naturally begin to decline. Men start experiencing a gradual decline in testosterone hormone at a rate of 1% yearly starting at the age of 30. Older men may even lose more, leading to significantly low testosterone.
Women experience progesterone and estrogen decline during the perimenopause to menopause. If you are experiencing several of the following symptoms, you may consider discussing hormone therapy with your healthcare provider:
- Reduced muscle mass
- Weight gain
- Chronic fatigue or low energy levels
- Vaginal dryness
- Frequent Hot flashes
- Poor concentration
- Mood swings
- Memory loss
- Confusion
- Low libido
- Missed or irregular periods
- Sweating at night
- Sleeping problems
- Low libido or painful intercourse
What Conditions Can Bioidentical Hormones Treat?
Bioidentical hormone therapy can treat various conditions caused by imbalanced hormones. These conditions include.
1. Perimenopause and menopause
As mentioned before, women tend to experience a decline in progesterone and estrogen in their late 30s to late 40s. During this time, they experience persistent fatigue, vaginal dryness, hot flashes and night sweats, and changes in mood, among others.
Bioidentical hormone therapy in Oklahoma can help alleviate these symptoms and restore balance to your life. NP2GO offers hormone replacement therapy for menopause tailored around your unique hormone levels, symptoms, and wellness goals.
2. Andropause
Just like women, men also experience a decline in hormones, especially testosterone, as they age. As a result, they experience muscle loss, low libido, and fatigue.
Testosterone replacement therapy is a medically supervised treatment that can help increase testosterone levels, restoring your body’s natural balance.
TRT can help sustain energy, sharpen mental focus, and improve mood. Many men also experience better endurance, faster recovery after workouts, and improved body composition with reduced stubborn fat.
3. Insomnia
Menopause can make sleep difficult due to symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats. Balanced hormone levels can help you feel relaxed and sleep better.
The hormones help regulate your body’s natural rhythms, stabilize mood, and promote deeper, healthier sleep. When these hormones are properly optimized, you experience improved relaxation, reduced night sweats, fewer mood swings, and a greater sense of well-being.
4. Depression
Depression is a natural mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, low energy, and loss of interest in daily activities. Hormonal imbalances can contribute to or worsen depressive symptoms, especially during periods of hormonal change such as perimenopause, menopause, or andropause.
Approximately 10% to 16% of adult women experience depression in the U.S.
While bioidentical hormone therapy is not a stand-alone treatment for depression, restoring hormone balance may help improve mood in people whose symptoms are linked to hormonal changes.
5. Erectile dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is a man’s inability to maintain an erection long enough to have sex. It is caused by many factors, including low testosterone hormone.
BHT works like the body-produced testosterone to help you maintain an erection during sexual intercourse.
6. Weight gain
Besides poor diet and unhealthy lifestyle, a hormonal imbalance can be a major factor in weight gain. This is true, especially if you gain an unexplained amount of weight within a short time.
At menopause, women are likely to experience a decline in estrogen, which may lead to weight gain. Men may also experience fluctuation in testosterone hormone, irrespective of their healthy lifestyle and healthy diet, leading to weight gain.
Bioidentical hormones can help you lose the extra body fat while maintaining lean muscle mass. It introduces the testosterone and estrogen hormones, which function similarly to naturally produced hormones.
How Do You Administer BHRT?
BHRT comes in various forms and can be administered weekly, daily, or long-term, depending on your hormonal prescriptions. The available ways to administer BHRT include:
- Oral pills
- Creams and gels
- Sprays and patches
- Vaginal tablets or cream
- Pellets
- Injections
Can Men Use Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Yes. Men can use bioidentical hormone replacement therapy to address symptoms arising from hypogonadism and andropause, such as chronic fatigue, low libido, mood changes, and erectile dysfunction.
Bioidentical hormones for men may be administered in several forms, including creams, gels, oral capsules, injections, and pellets. The best delivery method depends on your hormone levels, symptoms, lifestyle, and medical history, and will be determined by your healthcare provider.
Benefits of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy has several benefits, which include:
- Improved energy levels and alleviated chronic fatigue
- Relieved depression associated with hormonal imbalance
- Reduced perimenopause, menopause, and andropause symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, low libido, and mood swings
- Improved sleep quality
- Help maintain weight and improve lean muscle mass
- Improved mental clarity and focus by eliminating brain fog and confusion
Bioidentical Hormones vs. Synthetic
Both bioidentical and synthetic hormones are used in hormone replacement therapy, but they are not the same. Bioidentical hormones are derived from plant extracts such as yams. They include testosterone, estradiol, and estrone, which replace or balance depleted hormones in the body. They have a chemical structure similar to that produced by the body.
Synthetic hormones, on the other hand, are used in traditional hormone replacement therapy. They are created in laboratories and are not structurally identical to human hormones.
When compared, BH is more effective than synthetic hormones and has fewer side effects. This is because BH replicates the body’s hormones, making no difference to the body’s systems and functions.
Synthetic hormones have a different chemical structure. When administered, the body senses an intruder and reacts differently. This leads to several side effects and reduces its effectiveness.
The right choice depends on your health history, symptoms, and treatment goals. A qualified healthcare provider can help determine which type of hormone therapy is safest and most effective for you.
How long do bioidentical hormones take to work?
Like any other hormone therapy, it can take up to 3 months to see the results of bioidentical hormones. However, the time can vary from person to person. For some, it may take a few weeks or several months to see results.
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy in Oklahoma: Potential Side Effects
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is generally well-tolerated when properly prescribed and monitored. However, like any medical treatment, it may cause side effects, especially when hormone levels are too high, too low, or not properly balanced.
Most side effects are mild and temporary as your body adjusts to treatment. Your provider will closely monitor your hormone levels and symptoms to reduce risks and ensure safe, effective care.
Possible side effects in women include:
- Headache
- Blotting
- Breast tenderness
- Cramps
- Mood swings
- Fatigue
- Spotting
- Weight gain
- Acne and increased facial hair
Possible side effects in men include:
- Acne
- Fluid retention
- Mood changes
- Increased red blood cell count
- Breast tenderness
- Changes in prostate-related lab values
Research also suggests that bioidentical hormones can increase the risk of blood clots, gallbladder diseases, stroke, and cardiovascular diseases in those who already have these conditions. You also risk getting breast cancer if you are an older person and using hormone therapy for an extended period.
At NP2GO, treatment plans are personalized and based on lab testing, symptoms, and medical history. Ongoing follow-ups and dose adjustments help minimize side effects and keep your therapy safe.
Are Bioidenticals Right for You?
Yes. Bioidentical hormones are right for most people, but consult your healthcare provider before taking them. With their help, you’ll be able to make the right decisions.
Avoid bioidentical hormones if you have any of the following conditions, as they may worsen your condition.
- Blood clot
- Breast cancer
- Heart diseases
- Stroke
- Gallbladder disease
FAQs About Bioidentical Hormone Therapy in Oklahoma
Below are the most frequently asked questions by our clients
Is BHRT safe?
Yes, bioidentical hormones are safe. But like any other hormone therapy, they have side effects too. Consult your healthcare provider to weigh the cons and pros of each before taking.
Who should not use bioidentical hormones?
You should not use bioidentical hormones if you have a stroke, a blood clot, heart disease, gallbladder disease, or breast cancer.
What hormones are typically replaced?
Bioidentical hormone therapy replaces testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone hormones.
Is hormone therapy painful?
Hormone therapy itself is usually not painful, but the experience depends on the type of administration you’ve chosen and your body’s response. If it’s injections, you may feel a slight prick from the needle. Some people experience mild soreness at the injection site for a day or two.
If it’s pellet implants, a small procedure is performed under your skin to insert them. You may feel pain. However, if local anesthesia is used, you shouldn’t feel pain during the procedure. Mild soreness afterward is common.
How long will I need hormone therapy?
The answer to how long depends on various factors, such as your current health, your family health history, your personal history, and your unique menopause symptoms. This is because women’s bodies are different.
Technically, you should take the lowest dose of bioidentical hormone therapy for a short duration to eliminate the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. Research supports the use of hormone therapy for about 5 years.
You can still use it for the long term, more than 5 to 7 years, because no research has associated long-term use of hormone therapy with mortality risks.
However, since there is no safety data on long-term use of hormone therapy, have a conversation with your health provider if you need it for more than 5 years.
Let them help you consider the benefits and the risks involved. The goal is to use a lower dose to help you relieve your symptoms without harming your body.
Best Oklahoma Bioidentical Hormone Specialist
If you are in perimenopause, menopause, or andropause and you’ve been feeling off, it may be time to explore bioidentical hormone therapy in Oklahoma with a trusted expert. At NP2GO, our dedicated specialists take a personalized approach, carefully evaluating your symptoms, hormone levels, and overall health to create a treatment plan tailored to you.
Don’t settle for feeling less than your best. Take the first step toward balanced hormones and renewed vitality today. Schedule your consultation online or contact NP2GO directly at 405-696-7003. You can speak with our team and learn how bioidentical hormone therapy can help you feel like yourself again.