Essentially, HRT is a therapy option used to resolve or minimize symptoms caused by diminished or low hormone levels. It is no secret that as we all age hormone levels decline. This decline leads to deficient and unbalanced hormone levels that play a large role in our optimal health and well-being. Both men and women consistently report their 20s and 30s as the time in life when “at their prime”. This makes perfect sense as this is also the timeframe in life when our hormone levels are most optimal and balanced. If determined medically appropriate, HRT may be an appropriate treatment option to help improve symptoms and overall quality of life. The most common hormones treated are testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, and DHEA.

Common symptoms improved or resolved with HRT/BHRT in both men and women include:

• Classic menopausal symptoms - hot flashes, night sweats, poor quality of sleep
• Low energy or fatigue
• Difficulty sleeping or insomnia
• Low mood, mood swings, or increased irritability
• Increased stress and anxiety
• Irregular menstrual cycle
• Prolonged and heavy menstrual cycles
• Decreased sex drive
• Erectile dysfunction
• Vaginal dryness or pain with intercourse
• Unexplained weight gain or fat
• Difficulty or inability to lose weight or excess fat
• Thinning hair, hair loss, increased hair growth
• Increased acne production

BHRT is a treatment option with the goal to resolve or minimize symptoms caused by diminished or low hormone levels. BHRT uses hormones that are custom compound made by a pharmacy which are molecularly identical to endogenous hormones. Endogenous hormones are the hormones your body produces naturally. Traditional HRT is often associated with synthetic hormone use, which are laboratory manufactured. BHRT can allow for a more patient specific treatment plan tailored to treat their symptoms and goals. BHRT may be a more appropriate choice for some patients when traditional HRT is not or has been previously tried but developed negative side effects or associated complications.

Imbalance is a result of too much or too little of a hormone in our body. Our hormones are essential and have specific roles and functions. However they are finicky and the slightest imbalance can cause a multitude of symptoms and issues. Our hormones travel throughout the body directing and telling certain systems and organs how to properly function. Hormones facilitate and regulate growth and development, metabolism, reproduction, fertility, sexual function, our mood, sleep, and energy levels. Both men and women can experience hormone imbalances involving testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, insulin, and adrenals. These imbalances can be improved or resolved through hormone replacement or restorative therapies.

Common symptoms associated with hormonal imbalance for both men and women include:

• Common symptoms associated with hormonal imbalance for both men and women include:
• Low energy, fatigue
• Difficulty sleeping or insomnia
• Low mood, mood swings, or irritability
• Increased stress and anxiety
• Irregular menstrual cycle
• Prolonged and heavy menstrual cycles
• Decreased sex drive
• Erectile dysfunction
• Unexplained weight gain or fat
• Difficulty or inability to lose weight or excess fat
• Thinning hair, hair loss, increased hair growth
• Increased acne production

For both men and women, the hormone testosterone is very important and plays a critical role in so many of our body’s functions and daily life. Testosterone affects energy levels, our motivation and drive, overall mood, sex drive, lean muscle, and body composition. As we age, in both men and women, testosterone levels will decline. More importantly it is at what age and how rapid of a decline that seems to be responsible for many symptoms and issues. If medically appropriate, restoring or optimizing testosterone levels can improve and likely resolve symptoms associated with low testosterone. No matter your age, everyone deserves to have our bodies and mind operating at peak performance. Safely and effectively optimizing your testosterone level may be solution

Symptoms associated with low testosterone in both men and women include:

• Low energy levels
• Fatigue
• Low mood, irritability, or increased anxiety and stress
• Decreased motivation and drive
• Decreased sex drive
• Decreased lean muscle or inability to gain muscle
• Increased fat or inability to lose weight or adipose fat
• Unexplained body composition changes or weight gain

In both men and women, growth hormone is made and regulated in a very small area of the brain called the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland and growth hormone are responsible for regulating our growth and development, height, weight, body composition, and muscle. Throughout our daily lives and as we age, growth hormone levels fluctuate and decline. Growth hormone also plays a vital role in our metabolism, specifically influencing insulin and blood sugar levels. If medically appropriate, elective growth hormone supplementation can improve or optimize our body’s ability to naturally increase our growth hormone levels. Not only could this resolve negative symptoms related to low growth hormone levels, but could improve sleep, joint aches/pains and improve muscle recovery. Dow Medical prescribes and manages GHRH (growth hormone releasing hormone) or peptides to facilitate our bodies ability to naturally increase growth hormone levels. This treatment option is very different from synthetic growth hormone therapy, which requires specialized training and usually involves an endocrinology expert. Synthetic growth hormone therapy is not without increased risks and possible adverse events/complications. However, if appropriately managed stimulating the body to produce more of its natural growth hormone levels can be safe and effective.

Symptoms commonly associated with low growth hormone levels in men and women include:

• Increased body fat, especially around the mid section or waist
• Difficulty or inability to successfully lose weight or body fat
• Decreased lean muscle
• Increased anxiety, stress, and/or low mood
• Low energy levels or fatigue
• Increased sensitivity to heat and cold