Hormone Optimization vs Hormone Replacement Therapy: Understanding the Difference
A hormone imbalance can cause uncomfortable symptoms that affect your quality of life. If you are experiencing symptoms like fatigue, weight loss or gain, hair loss or excess hair, decreased libido, hot flashes, or muscle weakness, you may have a hormone imbalance. At Natural Healing Arts Medical Center, our chiropractor Dr. David S. Zamikoff specializes in diagnosing hormone imbalances in Bradenton, FL and identifying their underlying cause. We offer BioTE®, a Bio-Identical form of hormone therapy that seeks to return the hormone balance to youthful levels in men and women. Read on to learn more about the differences between hormone optimization and hormone replacement therapy to discover which one is right for you.
How Do You Know If You Need Hormone Therapy?
Hormone therapy can alleviate many of the symptoms associated with decreased hormone levels or hormone imbalances. The most common symptoms of a hormone imbalance are:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Mood swings
- Fatigue
- Trouble sleeping
- Memory and concentration issues
- Low libido
- Vaginal dryness and/or pain during sex
- Loss of muscle mass
- Muscle weakness
- Weight gain or weight loss
- Hair loss or excess hair growth
- Anxiety or depression
What Is Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Hormone replacement therapy is a treatment option for hormone imbalances. HRT replaces the hormones that your body isn’t producing or is producing in low levels. The most common types of hormone therapy are estrogen therapy, progesterone therapy, and testosterone therapy. Hormone therapy can be administered as a pill, patch, cream, gel, injection, spray, or implanted pellet.
What Is Hormone Optimization?
Hormone optimization is also a medical treatment that can restore hormonal balance. This treatment method focuses on restoring healthy levels of hormones to improve wellness, mood, and energy. Even if you are technically within the normal limits of hormone production, hormone optimization can increase hormone levels to enhance quality of life and overall health.
Choosing Between Hormone Optimization and Hormone Replacement Therapy
In general, physicians don’t recommend hormone replacement therapy unless you have very low or no levels of a specific hormone. However, hormone optimization can be administered even if you have levels within the normal range. If you have a significant hormone imbalance due to menopause, aging, or a medical condition, you should choose HRT. If you have normal hormone levels that are on the lower end of the spectrum and you want to enhance your overall wellness, you should choose hormone optimization.
Get Personalized Solutions for Hormone Imbalances
At Natural Healing Arts Medical Center, Dr. Zamikoff can test your hormone levels and determine if you have a hormone imbalance. We specialize in BioTE® hormone therapy in Bradenton, FL. Call us today to schedule an appointment or schedule an appointment online.
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Hormone Therapy