Hormone Replacement Therapy
at Evoke 5
As we age, it is natural for our hormone levels to decline. But that doesn’t mean you
have to accept the symptoms and discomfort that go along with it. At Evoke 5 Medical
Center, we utilize natural (aka bioidentical) hormone replacement therapy to help you
feel, look and live your best – at any age.
Causes of Hormone Loss
The decline of natural hormones in the body can be caused by a variety of factors: most notably age, but certain medical
conditions or treatments can also bring on hormone loss.
The age-related decline of hormones varies from person to person, but typically by the age of 50 both men and women have
suboptimal levels of both testosterone and estrogen. However, it can happen at nearly any age: We have treated men in
their 20s suffering from low levels of testosterone.
If you are concerned about hormone loss, please contact us to schedule an appointment to discuss your symptoms and
explore if hormone replacement therapy is right for you.
Symptoms of Hormone Loss
Symptoms vary widely depending on the type of hormone loss you’re experiencing. Common symptoms of hormone loss
include:
- Fatigue
- Weight gain or loss
- Cold intolerance
- Hair loss
- Muscle weakness
- Depression
- Low blood pressure
- Dizziness when standing
- Nausea
- Skin changes
- Mood swings
- Night sweats
- Decreased libido
- Reduced muscle mass
- Insomnia
- Brain fog
There are also many potential gender-specific symptoms. For example, women may experience hot flashes, vaginal dryness,
breast tenderness and/or irregular periods, while men may experience erectile dysfunction.
Hormone Testing and Treatment
If you are experiencing symptoms that may be related to hormone loss, we will order a blood test to look at your hormone
levels and determine the need for hormone replacement therapy to optimize hormone levels.
We prefer to utilize natural – or bioidentical – treatments, such as pellet therapy. Pellets, which are compounded from soy
and yam, are not processed through the liver like most other hormone modalities and are a cleaner form of hormone for
your body.
These pellets, which are approximately the size of a grain of cooked rice, are inserted through a small incision in the upper
buttock or lower back region. The pellets then release small amounts of hormone directly into the bloodstream, at levels
similar to what the body produced during its younger adult years.
We also recommend that all of our pellet patients take a supplement that helps the body metabolize the hormones
effectively.
Most people will begin to feel results in two to three weeks, and results can last up to three months for women and up to six
months for men.
Benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy
It’s been shown that there are many benefits from taking a more natural/bioidentical type of hormone. For example,
testosterone has been shown to:
- Improve bone density
- Decrease blood pressure
- Decrease cholesterol
- Improve brain function
- Decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s
- Protect from prostate cancer
- Help protect from certain autoimmune disorders
Estrogen has also been shown to:
- Help with bone density
- Protect the heart
- Improve brain function
- Relieve symptoms such as hot flashes and mood swings in women
Hormone replacement therapy is not without risk and it’s important to work with a doctor specially trained in this type of
treatment. Treatment should be considered on an individual basis, taking into consideration all potential benefits and
downsides. We recommend regular lab work throughout hormone replacement therapy to monitor hormone levels and
balance.
