Is Hormone Replacement Therapy Safe?
Hormone replacement can be hugely beneficial for both men and women to regain the balance of their hormone levels and find relief from symptoms. Whether you are struggling with menopausal symptoms or feeling the effects of low testosterone, hormone replacement therapy may be able to help.
Hormone replacement, or systemic hormone therapy, is generally considered safe, and the benefits of treatment outweigh the risks posed. However, some methods of hormone therapy inherently carry more risk than others. For example, creams can carry the risk of inconsistent doses or overdosing, or pills can be forgotten and cause a rollercoaster of hormone fluctuations.
The pellet-based method of hormone therapy offered at Xanadu eliminates many of these risks. Data suggests that it also carries no increased risk of breast cancer or blood clots, unlike other forms of hormone replacement.
To further increase the safety of our treatments, at Xanadu Med Spa, we conduct comprehensive diagnostic tests for every patient before treatment commences. These tests monitor your hormone levels and overall health to allow us to fully understand your wellness before deciding upon your treatment plan.
At Xanadu Med Spa, we are proud to offer safe and effective hormone replacement therapy using some of the most scientifically advanced and reputable methods available. If you are feeling the effects of hormone imbalance, our hormone therapy could help you to regain your health and vitality and get back to feeling on top of your game.
Contact our experienced and knowledgeable team today to discuss how hormone therapy could help.
Call Xanadu Med Spa at 970-591-7919 to schedule your free consultation.
What Is Hormone Replacement Therapy Used For?
Both men and women can benefit from hormone replacement therapy if they are suffering from the side effects of low sex hormones. Hormone replacement therapy administers controlled doses of sex hormones, usually either testosterone for men or estrogen or estradiol for women, to rebalance hormone levels and manage symptoms. Hormone therapy can use either synthetically created hormones or bio-identical hormones, which are plant-based compounds that match the molecular formula of human hormones.
Hormone therapy can be used to alleviate the symptoms of low sex hormones, such as low mood and erectile dysfunction in men and hot flashes and vaginal dryness in women.
Why Do Hormone Levels Decline?
Declining sex hormone levels are a natural part of the aging process. As we get older and move away from child-bearing age, our production of these hormones declines steadily. Generally, between ages 45 and 55, women begin to enter menopause, where their estrogen levels will decline significantly, and eventually, their periods will stop. Some women experience perimenopause years before their periods stop. During this time, hormone levels drop, and symptoms such as night sweats, headaches, brain fog, weight gain, and hot flashes can begin.
Although men do not experience menopause, they are not immune to a decline in sex hormones as they get older. Men’s testosterone levels begin to decline around 1% a year from approximately age 30 to 40. However, on a societal level, men’s testosterone levels have been declining with each generation. This means that many men are already starting from a lower testosterone level before the age-related decline begins.
As such, the side effects and symptoms of decreasing testosterone can often be noticed earlier in life and feel more severe than previous generations may have struggled with. Other factors, such as being overweight, certain medications, low thyroid function, and other conditions, can also lead to lower testosterone levels.
In both men and women, these declines can be distressing and lead to a vast array of symptoms that impact your day-to-day life and overall feeling of well-being.
Symptoms Of Hormone Imbalance In Women
Women can feel the effects of low or declining estrogen both physically and mentally. Physical symptoms such as hot flashes, weight gain, and pain during sex are common, but mental symptoms such as anxiety and low mood are equally common in women.
Mental Symptoms
Hormones are essential for regulating our mood and mental well-being. Women who suffer from a hormone imbalance or low estrogen often experience symptoms that affect their mental well-being, such as mood swings and depression. Common mental symptoms of low estrogen include the following:
- Anxiety.
- Low mood.
- Problems with memory.
- A general feeling of confusion or ‘brain fog’.
- Problems with concentrating.
- Depression.
- Mood swings.
- Elevated stress.
Physical Symptoms
The physical symptoms of low estrogen levels are typically just as challenging and life-altering or even more so than the mental symptoms that affect women. An estrogen imbalance can lead to symptoms such as breast pain, fatigue, irregular periods, and hot flashes and also affect women’s physical appearance and confidence through weight gain and reducing the quality of hair, nails, and skin. Low estrogen can also lead to long-term health problems such as osteoporosis.
The typical symptoms experienced by women with low estrogen include the following:
- Hot flashes.
- Fibroids,
- Vaginal Dryness.
- Weight gain.
- Night Sweats.
- Endometriosis.
- Low energy and fatigue.
- Reduced sex drive.
- Joint pain.
- Osteoporosis.
- Thinning hair or hair loss.
- Dry and itchy skin.
- Dizziness, headaches, and migraines.
- Digestive problems and bloating.
Symptoms Of Low Hormones In Men
The effects of low testosterone for men can be equally as distressing and impactful as those women suffer from when their estrogen levels are low. Common symptoms that affect men when their testosterone levels decline or are naturally low include a reduced sex drive, erectile dysfunction, weight gain, and loss of muscle mass.
Men with low testosterone levels for an extended period of time are more likely to experience weakened bones and an increased risk of injury and developing osteoporosis.
Mental Symptoms
Many men are unaware of the extent or severity of mental symptoms that can arise as a result of low testosterone. Beyond the well-known physical effects, such as erectile dysfunction, low testosterone levels can have severe impacts on a man’s mental health and influence many aspects of his life as a result.
Some of the typical mental symptoms that may be attributed to a lack of testosterone include the following:
- Depression.
- Mood swings.
- Low mood.
- Problems with memory and concentration.
- Irritability.
- Problems finding the right words to say, and not feeling mentally ‘sharp’.
- Reduced performance at work.
Physical Symptoms
Men often find that in addition to the mental symptoms, the physical symptoms of low testosterone have a considerable impact on their daily activities, enjoyment of life, relationships, and overall well-being. Often, men notice symptoms such as a low sex drive and poor sexual performance, fatigue, and weight gain as common symptoms of testosterone decline. Physical symptoms of low testosterone in men can include the following:
- Weight gain and obesity.
- Problems with fertility and conceiving.
- Reduced muscle mass, strength, and physical performance.
- Problems sleeping.
- Increased weight around stomach/abdomen area.
- A reduced sex drive and problems with erectile function.
- Loss of body hair.
- Reduced beard and facial hair growth.
- Extreme fatigue and feelings of tiredness.
- Reduced bone density and increased risk of osteoporosis.
Hormone Replacement Therapy And Menopause
The menopausal transition and menopause symptoms can be challenging for many women. Symptoms such as night sweats, weight gain, fatigue, and low sex drive can be hard to manage and can end up having a significant impact on your life. Hormone replacement therapy can be a highly effective and low-risk option to relieve menopausal symptoms and help women to feel like themselves again.
The menopausal hormone therapy available at Xanadu Med Spa has produced impressive results for hundreds of our female clients to boost their health and well-being and reduce their symptoms. Our clients have reported significant improvements and health benefits since starting treatment with us. Benefits have included improved energy and sex drive, better concentration and mental clarity, increased metabolism, smoother wrinkle-free skin, stronger hair and nails, reduced hot flashes, and better moods, to name a few.
Additional Benefits For Women
Many women can suffer from hormone imbalances and low estrogen at any point in their lifetime, which could be unrelated to menopause. Genetic conditions, eating disorders, medical treatments, and autoimmune diseases can also negatively impact estrogen levels. Alongside relieving menopausal symptoms, hormone therapy can be beneficial to balance hormone levels and improve the overall health of women with low estrogen with different causes.
Women who improve their estrogen levels through hormone therapy can expect to experience benefits such as improved cognitive function and memory, better sleep, relief from anxiety and depression, improved immunity, stable moods, more flexibility, and better weight management.
Benefits Of Hormone Therapy For Men
Boosting your testosterone levels through hormone therapy can have countless health benefits for men, improving their overall well-being, vitality, and quality of life.
Physically, men who regain optimal testosterone levels through treatment will experience an improved sex drive and better sexual performance, higher energy levels, more lean muscle and strength, lower cholesterol, increased metabolism, less fat storage around the stomach and vital organs, better sleep, and improved immunity.
The mental improvements of balancing testosterone through therapy are equally as impressive. Men can expect to notice a reduction in depression, anxiety, and low mood, improved memory, better concentration, and overall feeling mentally sharper and more on top of their game. Additionally, the risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease can reduce substantially with optimal hormone levels.
Risks Of Hormone Therapy
The general medical advice is that the benefits of hormone therapy for both men and women outweigh the potential health risks that could be encountered by a small percentage of individuals. Usually, individuals who are already suffering from existing health conditions are most at risk of side effects when taking hormone therapy. As such, your medical history should be thoroughly evaluated before starting treatment.
Women
Combined hormone therapy can be associated with a small increased risk of breast cancer. However, there is little to no change in your level of breast cancer risk if you are on estrogen therapy alone. 20 years of data indicate that the pellet method of hormone therapy method offered at Xanadu shows no increased risk of developing breast cancer.
Many forms of hormone therapy, such as patches, show no increased risk of blood clots in women. Although, there is a slightly increased risk of blood clots associated with orally administered forms of therapy, such as tablets.
Men
Research suggests that testosterone therapy could potentially worsen prostate cancer, although it is not thought to cause prostate cancer entirely. Hormone treatment could also worsen sleep apnea and benign prostatic hypertrophy but does not initially cause these conditions.
Some methods of testosterone therapy can also place some men at increased risk of developing blood clots. However, the pellet-based hormone therapy offered at Xanadu Med Spa shows no increased risk of blood clots. In fact, the pellet method at Xanadu actually provides benefits to heart health by improving the lipid panels that cause dilation of the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart.
Who Can’t Undergo Hormone Therapy?
Your personal medical history will influence whether you are able to undergo hormone replacement therapy. Treatment may not be suitable for breast cancer survivors or women who have previously had endometrial cancer or ovarian cancer or have a history of unmanaged high blood pressure and blood clots.
In men, the research is limited, but it is possible that testosterone replacement therapy can worsen already present prostate cancer and, as such, is not advised for men with this condition. Similarly, testosterone replacement therapy is not suitable for men with congestive heart failure or heart disease.
Is Hormone Replacement Safe?
Generally speaking, hormone replacement therapy is safe when administered under professional supervision and in line with medical guidelines. Some versions of hormone replacement carry higher risks than others.
For example, research suggests that when administered orally, excess testosterone in men can have implications for the health of the liver. As such, testosterone tablets, although available, may not be as safe for men as other methods, such as pellets or patches that bypass the liver and administer testosterone directly into the blood.
Other methods of hormone therapy, such as creams or patches, can carry an increased risk of hormone fluctuations and subsequent side effects as a result of inconsistent dosing.
The hormone therapy offered at Xanadu Med Spa in the form of pellets is considered one of the safest and most consistent methods of hormone treatment for both men and women. This method is guided by our body’s need for hormones and only administers a dose of the bioidentical hormone as your body requires it.
Similarly, as Xanadu’s hormone treatments use bioidentical hormones as opposed to synthetic hormones, this means that they are entirely natural and plant-based as opposed to created from synthetic ingredients. Synthetic hormones are patented and as such, are required to be engineered not to match. However, bioidentical hormones are specifically formulated to match the molecular structure of human hormones.
Another factor that can determine how the safety of a hormone replacement treatment is the quality of the provider where you undergo the therapy. High-quality professionals are more likely to identify the exact imbalances causing your symptoms and advise you on the best treatment to address your specific issues.
A reputable and experienced provider can also review your lifestyle, your aims for treatment, and other health conditions you may have to ensure your treatment is the best fit for you and doesn’t pose additional risks, such as severe hormone fluctuations or worsening of an existing condition.
What Is The Best Form Of Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Hormone replacement therapy administered through pellets is typically far safer and more effective than other hormone treatment options. Pellets are inserted under a patient’s skin and will administer bioidentical hormones into the body. These pellets deliver a controlled, consistent and steady dosage of natural hormones into your body at timed intervals. This significantly reduces the risk of overdosing and human error, which are more common with treatment methods such as creams and patches.
Similarly, it is easy to forget to take a hormone pill one day which can result in a rollercoaster of hormone fluctuations and cause unpleasant side effects. Many patients who use hormone therapy pills, creams, or patches for an extended period of time experience side effects because of their hormone treatment.
Pellets only respond to your body’s need for hormones and release small doses when your body is in need of estrogen or testosterone. This is a highly effective benefit that is not provided by most other types of hormone treatment. This means that you are not unnecessarily taking doses of hormones at points when you don’t need them.
Our hormones fluctuate daily, and your body may be more in need of hormone replacement at specific times. Consistently taking hormone therapy when your body may not need it can lead to a build-up and storage of these hormones in the body. Sometimes this build-up can release back into the body, lead to further hormone imbalances, and be counterproductive to your health.
How To Choose Your Treatment Provider
To negate any concerns you have over the safety of hormone therapy, choosing the right treatment provider is essential. The products and quality of treatment and advice you receive from your chosen provider will substantially impact both the safety and how effective your treatment is for getting you the results you want.
Factors such as the qualifications and standards of training an individual has undergone are crucial to inform your decision. Similarly, you should choose a practitioner with experience and a proven track record for successfully helping patients address their hormone imbalances.
Training And Qualifications
It is essential that your chosen provider is fully qualified to administer the method of hormone therapy that they offer. They should also be trained in dosing and utilize reputable scientific laboratories and diagnostic testing to gain insight into your health and hormone levels to inform your treatment.
At Xanadu Med Spa, every course of hormone therapy and treatment we provide is administered under the supervision of our reputable medical director, Dr. Eric Olsen, M.D. Our team includes both medical physicians and registered nurses who are fully qualified to administer the hormone therapies that we offer.
Experience
With something as important as your health and hormone levels, experience matters. Your provider should have previous experience helping patients through hormone therapy and a proven track record of delivering successful results.
Xanadu has been the leading med spa in Northern Colorado for many years, helping countless patients address their hormone imbalances and regain their health and vitality with our hormone therapy treatment plans.
Patient Reviews
Patient reviews are an excellent resource to understand the quality of treatment you will receive from a facility and the types of results you can expect from their method of hormone therapy.
The staff at Xanadu Med Spa are regularly praised for their knowledgeable and approachable attitude and the skills and resources we have to deliver high-quality treatments to help our clients achieve impressive results. Our extensive collection of five-star reviews testify on our behalf to the quality of care and treatment you can expect at Xanadu Med Spa.
Hormone Replacement Therapy At Xanadu Med Spa
At Xanadu Med Spa, the only hormone replacement therapy we provide is comprised of plant-based bio-identical hormones, as opposed to synthetic hormones. Our team is fully trained in both SottoPelle and BioTE dosing and methodologies. The hormone therapy options available at Xanadu have been developed using only top-quality natural ingredients in line with the highest industry standards for both safety and efficacy.
The process of hormone therapy at Xanadu begins with diagnostic laboratory testing, followed by the development of a treatment plan. When your treatment starts, your hormone pellet can be quickly inserted under your skin in a pain-free procedure. The pellet can then remain in place for 6 to 9 months and will deliver doses of hormones as your body requires them. This option eliminates the need to take a pill or apply a cream.
Xanadu’s hormone replacement therapy boasts benefits that many other methods of hormone therapy cannot compete with. For example, it can deliver a four times greater increase in bone density for female patients over oral estrogen therapy.
Diagnostic Testing
As part of the hormone therapy process at Xanadu, you will undergo comprehensive diagnostic laboratory testing to give us an overall picture of your health and hormone balance to inform your treatment. These tests can consist of blood, saliva, and urine tests. Your samples will be examined in the laboratory against many parameters and markers of health, to give you an overall view of how your body is functioning.
You will receive a detailed analysis and breakdown of these results to help you understand your own health and how your treatment will help to improve it. Many Xanadu patients find the results of these tests highly valuable to give them an insight into their physical and hormonal health that they were not previously aware of.
Tailored Treatment Plan
The results of your diagnostic lab tests will be reviewed and evaluated by our highly trained team to form the basis of your individually tailored treatment plan. To develop your plan, Xanadu’s expert team will take into consideration your previous medical history, lab results, health markers, the symptoms you have been experiencing, your lifestyle, and your health goals.
These factors will be reviewed to develop a detailed program to address your hormone imbalances and support you in regaining your full health and finding relief from your symptoms. Xanadu patients report improvements in their health and symptoms just days to weeks after starting their treatment programs. You will be supported with expert advice and guidance from the Xanadu team throughout the duration of your hormone therapy plan.
Call Us Today To Discuss Pellet Hormone Therapy At Xanadu Med Spa!
It is understandable that you may have questions about the safety of hormone therapy. Often the results of these highly effective treatments can seem too good to be true! However, here at Xanadu, we are here to put your mind at ease and reassure you that you couldn’t be in safer hands if you pursue hormone treatment with us.
The pellets used to administer bioidentical hormones at Xanadu are low dose, only release hormones as your body requires them, and are customized to your needs. This decreases the risk of hormone fluctuations and overdosing, which can carry risks and cause complications. This method of hormone therapy is also perfectly designed to respond to stress and support your body most in these times when more hormones may be required.
The advanced nature of the treatment we use, alongside our comprehensive expertise, means that the team at Xanadu Med Spa is best placed to help you manage your hormone imbalance and regain your health. At the leading Med Spa in Northern Colorado, our team of doctors, registered nurses, and highly qualified professionals are on hand to help you achieve your health and wellness goals.
If you have any concerns about hormone replacement therapy or would like to understand if this treatment can work for you, book a complimentary consultation with a member of the Xanadu team.
Contact us today by calling 970-591-7919 to book your appointment and find out more about the most effective and safe hormone therapy currently available.