Hormone therapy (HT), also known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), involves using medications containing female or male hormones to treat common signs and symptoms of hormone deficiency including hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction, declining muscle mass, thinning bones, and memory problems. Depending on the type, dose, and route of administration, hormone therapy can effectively relieve troublesome symptoms of hormone deficiency, preventing further bone loss, and possibly providing cardioprotective effects.
At Renewed Balance Clinic in Koloa, we provide customized bioidentical hormone therapy tailored to your unique needs. We offer pellet therapy, injectable therapy, and compounded creams. Let's explore the basics of hormone therapy and how it can help improve your vitality.
The first step in hormone therapy is diagnosing any imbalances through blood tests and understanding your symptoms. We measure your levels of key hormones like estradiol, testosterone, DHEA sulfate, progesterone, T3, T4, TSH, cortisol and insulin. Deficiencies in these hormones can be responsible for a wide range of symptoms. Common issues we see include:
- Erectile dysfunction - Loss of muscle mass - Increase in body fat - Low libido - Depression, irritability, difficulty concentrating - Fatigue
- Insomnia - Depression - Weight gain - Low libido - Vaginal dryness
- Hot flashes - Night sweats - Vaginal dryness and discomfort - Decreased libido - Insomnia - Depression and mood changes - Joint pain - Memory problems
Based on your lab results and symptoms, we custom formulate a treatment plan designed to optimize your hormone levels and help you finally feel like yourself again.
There are many potential benefits associated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT), depending on the type of hormones supplemented:
Restoring optimal hormone levels can rekindle sex drive and enjoyment for both men and women. Balancing key hormones leads to improved energy levels, sleep and body image, all of which influence libido.
Estrogen therapy after menopause prevents bone loss and reduces fracture risk. It stimulates osteoblasts, the cells responsible for bone formation. Testosterone also plays an important role in bone health for both men and women.
The specific type, dose, duration and timing of hormone therapy impacts heart disease risks. When initiated early in menopause, studies show estrogen may reduce heart disease events and mortality. Testosterone supplementation also appears cardioprotective for men with low levels.
Testosterone stimulates protein synthesis and helps build and maintain lean muscle mass. Maintaining healthy testosterone levels with aging can prevent loss of mobility. The metabolic benefits of preserving lean mass also promote weight management.
Imbalances in key hormones like estrogen, testosterone and cortisol strongly influence mood, stress resilience and cognition. Restoring optimal hormonal balance alleviates anxiety, depression, trouble concentrating, memory lapses and mental fatigue.
At Renewed Balance Clinic in Koloa, Hawaii, we offer a full spectrum of advanced hormone replacement therapy (HRT) using high-quality bioidentical hormones tailor-compounded to match your individual needs based on symptoms and lab testing.
Pellet therapy involves inserting tiny hormone pellets under the skin which release bioidentical hormones continuously for 3-5 months. This treatment avoids peaks and troughs seen with daily hormone application. It's convenient, requiring only twice yearly placement. We provide testosterone pellets for men and combinations of estradiol, testosterone and/or progesterone for women.
Injectable testosterone cypionate, estradiol valerate or other hormones can be administered weekly to monthly based on your needs and preferences. This allows for optimal absorption.
We offer customized combinations of bioidentical testosterone, estradiol, DHEA, progesterone and other hormones prepared directly at our in-house compounding pharmacy. This versatility of dosing allows for a more gradual start if needed.
Specific nutrients like zinc, magnesium, vitamin D and selenium help optimize hormone balance and effectiveness. We recommend medical grade supplements when helpful.
Our board-certified practitioners have advanced training in prevention and treatment of age-related hormone deficiencies. We closely track clinical outcomes to ensure optimal response. Follow up lab tests help adjust dosing to keep your hormones balanced and symptoms relieved through seamless transitions into the later decades of life.
Hormone therapy can help transgender individuals align their physical characteristics with their gender identity. While the effects of hormone treatment are well-known, research has found that it also leads to positive psychological changes, including reduced anxiety, depression and distress, allowing many transgender people to lead happier, more authentic lives.
Allowing key hormone levels to drop too low comes with substantial long term risks including:
Therefore, accurately diagnosing and promptly treating any underlying hormone deficiencies with medical supervision protects long-term health. Our practitioners closely track clinical outcomes with follow up lab work and nutrition guidance. We educate patients on lifestyle factors like diet, exercise, stress management and targeted nutrient repletion to enhance results.
You deserve compassionate care from hormone experts you can trust. At Renewed Balance Clinic, we pride ourselves on providing:
We also understand the vital role of community in healing and purposeful aging. That's why we connect our patients with helpful local resources like:
- Koloa Neighborhood Association - Koloa Plantation Days - Garden Island Resource Conservation & Development
- Fleet Feet Sports Koloa - Island Triathlon & Bike
- Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort - Hyatt Regency Poipu Spa
- Merriman’s Restaurant - JO2 - Garden Island Barbecue
We're here to listen, partner in your health journey, and help you keep doing what you love - feeling energized, engaged, sensual and spirited through the coming decades.
