Are Bioidentical Hormones Better for Hormone Health?
Are you wondering whether bioidentical hormones would be better for your hormone health? We’ve got the facts you need here about the benefits.
As a man, you’re probably familiar with the effects of male hormones.
When you were younger, you were probably not inclined to give your hormone health too much thought.
Sure, you knew they played an obvious role in human reproduction. But you may not have realized how they also helped regulate many bodily functions, such as sleep, memory, and muscle growth.
As you get older though, your hormone levels begin to fluctuate and drop. You may already be experiencing these changes.
Do you feel easily tired or unmotivated? Is it getting more difficult to gain muscle mass? Is your sex drive decreasing?
Then it might be time to assess your options. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is a viable choice. Let’s see how it works!
Maintaining Hormone Health Is Vital As Men Age
As a young man, you had natural energy, strength, and a high sex drive. These were things you probably took for granted.
Yes, youth is wasted on the young. But live and learn.
So let’s look at the two main male hormones that kept you going strong when you were younger.
1. Testosterone
Testosterone is often referred to as the “male hormone.” It’s the most well-known of a group of sex hormones called androgens.
Although both men and women have it, men produce 10 to 40 times the amount of testosterone that women produce. It’s is the primary hormone responsible for male physical and sexual development.
When hormone health and testosterone are at optimal levels, men benefit from increased energy and high sex drive. They also have lower body fat levels and better cardiovascular health.
In men, testosterone is produced in the testes and adrenals glands. Men typically produce four to seven milligrams per day, and reach the peak of testosterone levels in their 20s.
But after that, those levels drop approximately one percent a year.
2. DHEA
Another lesser-known androgen is Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).
Produced by the adrenal glands, it circulates in the bloodstream as DHEA-sulfate (DHEAS). Later, it’s converted into other hormones. For this reason, DHEA is known as a “precursor” hormone.
This includes being a precursor to testosterone. It’s uncommon for any man under the age of 35 or 40 to have low DHEA levels.
But just like with testosterone, the body’s production of DHEA declines as men age. This change affects the normal balance of hormones.
Stress and poor nutrition can further impact the production of DHEA.
Are You Feeling the Impact of Low Hormone Production?
You don’t have to struggle with the effects or just accept them as the “way things are.”
Over the years, many advancements have been made in male hormone replacement therapy. This includes the development of bioidentical hormones.
Lately, more and more testosterone replacement therapy experts are leaning toward bioidentical hormones. The question is: how do they differ from synthetic hormones? Are they safer or more efficient?
We’re here to clear things up for you.
Why Choose Bioidentical Hormones?
Bioidentical hormones are more natural. They’re derived from a plant molecule called diosgenin that’s found in wild yams and soy.
They are considered safer than synthetic hormones because of the way they mimic natural hormones.
Bioidentical hormones have a 100 percent relative binding affinity (RBA) for the internal hormone receptor sites. That means they fit into your body’s hormone receptor locks. Moreover, they spark the exact same response as the hormones produced in your testes, adrenal glands, and/or hypothalamus.
When bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is used to restore your body’s hormone health, the positive effects occur deep at the cellular level. Additionally, the side effects are minimal.
There are different sorts of bioidentical hormones. Which one will be most effective – and how much of it – depends on your individual body chemistry and physiology.
How Are Bioidentical Hormones Made?
Once the hormones are derived from the plant molecules, they are synthesized in a lab to be identical to naturally produced hormones.
The lab process guarantees that these hormones will have the exact molecular structure as your own natural hormones. Thus, your body will recognize them as familiar and put them to the best use.
Are They Better Than Synthetic Hormones?
Well, it’s hard to say definitively if they’re better. But bioidentical hormones certainly have a lot of advantages.
Although synthetic hormones are prepared from plant and animal extracts, they are not identical to the male hormones in your body.
Since the body sees these synthetic hormones as foreign, it could attack them. This may cause serious side effects, such as low libido, weight gain, and even thyroid disorders. Sometimes, the risks outweigh the benefits.
Synthetic hormone therapy doesn’t take into account the complexity of the male body. Its one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t address varying individual hormone imbalances. It also doesn’t address the underlying causes.
There is frequently a lack of comprehensive testing, so the wrong hormone is prescribed. Treating one hormone deficiency or excess without considering how it will affect the other hormones in your body isn’t going to be effective.
Another drawback of synthetic hormones is the desire to patent them. This leads to the addition of molecules or covalent bonds that your body is not able to accurately metabolize.
Considering the risks of synthetic hormones, it’s easy to see why so many men are choosing bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. This option is safer and more likely to work.
Get Your Hormones Back into Balance Naturally
Through comprehensive testing, medical professionals can determine your current hormone levels. They’ll use this information to prescribe a customized solution to bolster your hormone health.
As a result, your hormones will return to their optimal levels. Then you can start enjoying life again with a new vitality!
If you still have questions about hormone replacement therapy for men, feel free to contact us! We’re happy to help.
