Hormone-replacement therapy is commonly used to help alleviate menopause and andropause symptoms. However, a relatively new form of hormone-replacement therapy, or HRT, might be the latest medical attempt at curtailing the aging process.
HRT Overview
Hormone-replacement therapy is a medical procedure in which various sexual and reproductive hormones are administered to individuals with diminished systemic concentrations of these important chemicals. Usually, HRT is most commonly employed to replenish declining levels of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
Conditions HRT Is Used to Treat
In many instances, women experiencing menopause may opt for hormone therapy. Menopause is a life event typically occurring during the fifth or sixth decade of life and is categorized as the period when the reproductive system gradually ceases entering menstrual cycles and the woman loses the ability to conceive children. As menopause progresses, women might experience symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, mood swings, tiredness and even osteoporosis. HRT has proven effective in helping women combat many of these manifestations.
Moreover, hormone therapy is often employed to treat various other female reproductive disorders that diminish estrogen or progesterone production or secretion. Replacement therapy has also benefited certain men with low testosterone levels and accompanying symptoms like low libido, fatigue, and weight gain. Furthermore, hormone therapy has also proven effective in helping aging persons avoid or reduce incidents of skin maladies, resulting in improved aesthetic appearance and making the individuals look younger.
Bioidentical Hormones
As efficient as replacement therapy has been for some, there are those who are reluctant to undergo this form of therapy because of the chemical makeup of the substances used. Replacement hormones are synthetic, meaning they are produced inside the confines of a laboratory.
However, in recent times, options called bioidentical hormones have emerged. Proponents of these substances opine that they could be safer and more effective because the products are created from natural ingredients like plant extracts and are created to model the recipient’s hormonal makeup. However, administration is typically oral, which requires the user to follow a strict schedule of downing pills over a specific duration, or it is done through skin applications like potentially messy creams or gels.
Emergence of BioTE Hormone Pellets
Bioidentical hormones created by BioTE are said to provide greater convenience to recipients because the products are tiny pellets that are placed under the skin. Once firmly entrenched, the products then gradually release the hormones into the bloodstream over an extended period. Proponents suggest that pellets supersede slow-acting pills and potentially sloppy skin applications.
Studies Regarding the Effectiveness of Hormone Pellets
Several studies have been conducted examining the effectiveness of these pellets. Subjects studied have witnessed positive outcomes such as weight loss, increased sex drive, improved cognitive functions such as concentration and memory, elevated mood, decreased occurrences of mental issues like anxiety and depression, increased energy levels, and diminished body fat. Additionally, subjects demonstrated decreased incidents of potentially serious health maladies like diabetes and osteoporosis.
Differences Between Traditional and Bioidentical Hormones
The most significant difference between these substances is the manner in which they are created. As previously stated, traditional HRT is employed using man-made chemicals. Some of those who have received typical replacement therapy have experienced serious, possibly life-threatening side effects like blood clots and other cardiovascular events. Furthermore, synthetic hormones have been linked to an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer.