Armonk Hormone Replacement Therapy

Residents of Armonk, New York that are feeling the effects of aging might be wondering if bioidentical hormone therapy can help. Simply stated, this therapy is a course of treatment where the diminishing amounts of naturally-produced hormones in the body are supplemented with identical hormones from an external source.

Men and women who are interested in hormone replacement therapy in Armonk should address their questions to Dr. Jacobson of Greenwich, Connecticut. As a renowned specialist in this field, he has the answers you need.

Bioidentical Hormones

Bioidentical hormones are often referred to as natural alternatives to those produced by the body, because they are produced by nature. However, this is somewhat misleading and often confusing. In fact, they are actually synthesized from chemicals produced by plants to replicate the structure of hormones produced by the body. As such, they function just as those the body produces.

The benefits of maintaining a healthy amount of hormones are numerous. When hormone levels decrease over time, both men and women become more susceptible to various illnesses, including heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, and macular degeneration. These and other health concerns can be kept at bay with hormone replacement therapy in Armonk.

For more information about the therapy and its benefits, individuals can contact Dr. Jacobson or visit his office.

Conditions That May Benefit from HRT

For decades, physicians routinely used hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to treat menopause symptoms.  These medications contained estrogen, progesterone, and other hormones derived from synthetic sources which did not exactly match the hormones produced by the human body.  Premarin®, one of the most popular prescriptions, is actually made from the urine of pregnant mares.  HRT is not only promoted for menopause relief, but also as a preventative measure against osteoporosis and other ailments associated with decreased hormone production.

This trend changed abruptly as a result of the Women’s Health Initiative HRT study in 2002.  The purpose of the trial was to see how effective estrogen and progesterone treatments were at preventing some of the age-related conditions that occur after natural hormone production ceases.  The research was cut short when scientists noticed a marked increase in serious and even fatal diseases-including blood clots and breast cancer among women taking Premarin®.  The study did indicate that there were some positive benefits from hormone treatments, including a decreased risk for colorectal cancer.

After the 2002 study, attention turned back to natural treatments for menopause symptoms.  However, the term “natural” can cause a bit of confusion, and not all products which claim that title are equal.  Technically, the government allows any substance that comes from a plant, animal, or mineral to be called “natural”, regardless of how it may be manipulated in a laboratory.  In fact, the substance only has to contain a few natural ingredients to be able to be called a “natural” substance.  Under those terms, the drugs used in the WHI study can legally be referred to as natural, though most consumers would argue with that description.  The key, then, is to find a way to replace the hormones in the human body with matching hormones found in nature.

Natural Therapy

Bioidentical hormone therapy in Armonk, NY uses hormones that are identical in molecular structure to those found in the human body.  These are derived from in various plants including yams and soy beans, and cannot be distinguished from the substances produced by the body.  This is the primary reason why bioidentical hormones do not have the negative side effects associated with HRT.  The body has no more trouble assimilating the bioidentical hormones than it does processing the hormones it produces on its own.

Synthetic hormones, conversely, are derived from non-identical sources and have a different molecular structure foreign to the body.  This manipulation is necessary if the drug company wishes to get a patent.  No natural product can be patented.  This is one of the primary reasons for negative side effects often found in synthetic hormone treatment.

Designing a Holistic Approach

A decline in hormone production can begin as early as the thirties and occurs at a different pace in every woman.  At first, the changes may not be overtly noticeable, and typical signs of hormone deficiency may not appear for another decade.  But estrogen and progesterone are not the only hormones that impact a woman’s health; testosterone, DHEA, and thyroid all diminish over time and have a significant impact on aging.

Dr. Jacobson, who offers bioidentical hormone therapy in Armonk and takes an individualized approach to natural menopause therapies.  Patients are encouraged to undergo a comprehensive evaluation which measures multiple hormone levels.  The results are compared to the levels generally found in women in their early twenties, and the data is used to formulate a bioidentical hormone program designed to restore youthful levels.  The hormone supplements are formulated to each patient’s specific needs by compounding pharmacies and are sent to the patient. Dr. Jacobson then continues to test and monitor hormone levels to make certain the formulation is creating the desired physical and biochemical results.

Benefits of Bioidentical Hormone Therapy

Women who take individualized bioidentical hormone therapy report the following benefits:

  • Increased energy levels
  • Increased bone density
  • Relief from night sweats and hot flashes
  • Improved memory and mental clarity
  •  Improved libido and reduced vaginal dryness
  • Better sleep patterns Reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease
  • Reduced risk of breast cancer
  • Reduced risk of colorectal cancer

Set up an initial consultation today to see if you can benefit from bioidentical hormone therapy in Armonk, NY.