Bioidentical hormones vs. synthetic hormones for hormone therapies
Our experienced hormone providers prefer bioidentical hormones to synthetic ones for our hormone therapies. Bioidentical hormones are plant-derived hormones that are chemically extracted from soy or yams. They have the same molecular structure as the hormones that our bodies make.
Traditional medicine often uses synthetic hormones for their hormone therapies. These hormones are produced from products that are not natural. In addition, they are not molecularly identical to natural hormones. Synthetic hormones also have additives and coatings that can cause side effects, including burning in the urinary tract, allergies, joint aches and pains. For these reasons, our experts believe that bioidentical hormones are best for the hormone therapies we provide.
How we administer our hormone therapies
Would you benefit from bioidentical hormone therapies?
Hormone therapies can be administered several different ways, but our hormone experts do not recommend pellets. Pellets have several disadvantages, including expense and side effects. Our patients respond very well to the transdermal method of delivering hormones. It has several advantages over pellets because it is less expensive and easier to adjust. Other patients may get their bioidenticals in the form of injections, creams, gels or oral medications.
Who benefits from bioidentical hormones?
The bioidentical hormones that the providers at our functional medicine clinic near Milwaukee use for hormone therapies benefit women and men with a wide array of symptoms.
Women’s symptoms
Hot flashes
Vaginal dryness
Sexual dysfunction
Pain during sex
Sleep problems
Night sweats
Weight gain
Mood changes
Memory loss or foggy thinking
Energy loss and fatigue
Men’s symptoms
Loss of muscle mass
Weight gain
Erectile dysfunction and lower sex drive
Hair loss
Sleep problems and fatigue
Gynecomastia, or enlarged breasts
What patients can expect from hormone therapies
Here is a typical example of how patients may respond to hormone therapies, but results vary from patient to patient.
Week 1: Patients experience a reduction in anxiety and insomnia.
Week 2: Women experience a reduction in vaginal symptoms and hot flashes.
Week 3: Women and men may have increased energy and better cognitive skills.
Most people experience approximately 80% symptom relief in six to eight weeks when all endocrine systems are addressed. Each individual must work with our expert providers to decide how long to continue with hormone therapies
The experienced hormone providers at our functional medicine clinic near Milwaukee provide patients with reliable and trusted hormone therapies. It’s time to feel better.
Your Serenity Health Care Center’s practitioner will use a combination of treatments and modalities to solve your particular issue. We will provide the necessary resources for maximum effectiveness, and our holistic approach increases success rates.
Men’s Bioidentical Hormone Therapy
Serenity’s individually tailored Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) Program also considers unique factors, including your current health, lifestyle and ultimate goals.
Bioidentical hormones come from natural plant extracts that are biologically compatible with your physiology; they are structural replicas (hence bio-identical) of the hormones produced by your body’s endocrine system.
If reduced levels of testosterone are causing your erectile dysfunction, bringing those hormones to optimized levels could likely resolve erectile dysfunction. While Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy treats erectile dysfunction, it also comes with numerous health benefits, including:
Weight loss
Increased lean muscle mass
Stamina
Improved energy levels
Higher libido
Depression relief
Controlled glucose levels
More self-confidence
Hormones also help with various wellness functions that can help prevent multiple diseases and disorders. By keeping your hormones balanced, you could reduce your risk of developing:
Colon cancer
Osteoporosis
Heart disease and/or heart attacks
Strokes
Dementia and/or Alzheimer’s
Prematurely aged skin
Diabetes due to weight gain
On the flip-side of low testosterone is high testosterone and a fatty diet that lead to prostate, urinary and erectile difficulties. These and other factors can contribute to Prostate issues as you age, and Serenity can test and prescribe preventative measures to avoid future complications.
Since bioidentical hormones closely mimic the hormones you already have in your body, you can expect a noticeable improvement in your symptoms within 2 – 3 weeks as your hormones start balancing out.
We will find the right hormone transdermal, cream, gel, injection or oral delivery system that is right for you.
ED Therapies
In just six to twelve 20-minute sessions, Serenity’s erectile dysfunction Ultrasound Therapy can get you on the road to enhanced sexual performance.
Studies support the judicious use of high-quality dietary supplements to treat erectile dysfunction. Your existing nutrient deficiencies and other factors will guide us to find the right combination.
We usually first look at lifestyle changes, such as modifying your diet, for a positive impact because of the minimal potential side effects. Together we can establish a diet optimized to return you to full vitality.
Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and kale should be eaten daily as part of your hormone detoxification and balancing system.
Also, erectile dysfunction can involve numerous parts and processes of the body, including the brain, nervous systems, muscles, blood vessels, and hormones.
So while there’s no miracle food to prevent erectile dysfunction, there is some evidence that certain foods may help, in that what you eat may affect your performance.
Explore our growing collection of articles and services related to Men’s Health.
What to expect on your men’s health visit with Serenity
Patient history is an essential component of treating men’s health and often the most important part of the patient profile workup. This, coupled with lab diagnostics, will guide us on personalizing your treatment protocol.
You can count on Serenity for:
Treatment by a highly trained practitioner in Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy
A thorough review of personal and family medical history
A comprehensive review of symptoms
Hormone level testing, a cardiometabolic panel and Max Pulse testing for Vascular insufficiency
Programs tailored to alleviate precise symptoms based on personal medical history and lab result analysis
Men often come into our office feeling blah, down, and just not their “old” vital self.
They don’t recognize themselves – nor do their partners.
After age 30, testosterone starts to drop steadily! Let’s start reversing your symptoms and incorporate an annual test as part of your regular health check-up.
Common signs of Low-T are diminished energy, sexual performance, muscle mass, hair growth, mood and general well-being.
Getting to the root cause of erectile dysfunction
Of the Low-T symptoms, often the most disconcerting for our male patients is ED.
Serenity is diligent in differentiating between acute erectile dysfunction and chronic cases of erectile dysfunction because this will define our treatment protocol.
Acute cases can be caused by:
Use of a new medication
An injury of some sort
A very commonplace psychogenic component
Chronic erectile dysfunction is more challenging. Amino acid therapy may assist with the symptom along with other modalities. Still, a trained practitioner is often required to help patient identify the underlying cause for ED.
“The United States is home to 147.5 million adult men, who report their health status is fair or poor. Indeed, 32% of men ages 20 and up are obese, and 31%in that same age group have hypertension. Among adult American men, heart disease, cancer, and accidents are the three leading causes of death.” (Source: U.S. Centers for Disease control and Prevention) It is reported that 13 million men have low testosterone levels, but only 5-10% will ever seek treatment. Testosterone levels peak at age 20 and gradually decline throughout life. Low testosterone can be a reason for cognitive decline and be part of the problem with Alzheimer’s disease.
As men grow older, their free testosterone level decreased and estrogen levels rise. The average 60-year-old man has more circulating estrogen than testosterone levels. Recent research shows that incremental levels of estrogen have detrimental effects on the cardiovascular system.
As estrogen levels increase, they become increasing prone to benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and prostate cancer. It is important to measure estrogen levels, primarily Estradiol, but also Estrone.
What are some of the symptoms of low testosterone (Low T)?
Foggy thinking
Insulin Resistance
Decreased Stamina
Anxiety and Irritability
Decreased muscle mass
Osteopenia/Osteoporosis
Decreased mental status
Elevated Cholesterol
Depression
Night Sweats/heart palpitations
Nervousness
Decreased erections
Increased abdominal fat
Decreased urine flow
Fatigue and exhaustion
What are the symptoms of estrogen dominance?
Irritability/Mood Swings
Fatigue
Depression
Short term memory loss
Water retention
Weight Gain
Sleep disturbance
Cravings for Sweets
Can testosterone levels be increased without testosterone supplementation?
First you reduce estrogen levels, increase testicular output and provide androgen supplementation. Amino Acids can be used along with hormone precursors like (DHEA) Dehydroepiandrosterone. Herbs can also be used to assist in supporting a healthy prostate and enhance hormone levels naturally.
What can I expect to see if I use testosterone therapy?
Improved brain function
Reduced prostate size
Improved mood
Improved sexual function
Improved bone health
Improved body mass
If you feel like your hormones are out of balance, get in touch or call Serenity Health Care Center at 262-522-8640 to schedule an appointment.
With men seeking to optimize their health, one of the most frequent complaints is a declining sex drive coupled with a measure of erectile dysfunction.
Please remember that resolving erectile dysfunction is a whole body and mind wellness issue, and a long list of health benefits come from frequent healthy sex.
Erectile Dysfunction prevalence increases with age. Approximately 40% of men are affected at age 40 and nearly 70% of men are affected at age 70. Vasculogenic E.D. is said to be responsible for 80% of all reported cases of E.D.
The term itself, ‘erectile dysfunction, describes a variety of conditions: inability to get an erection, dissatisfaction with the size or hardness of your erections, and erections that do not last.
Erectile dysfunction is commonly a symptom of another underlying problem. Because there are many causes of erectile dysfunction, there are also many treatments. Depending on the reasons, an integrative medicine approach optimizes the return of your healthy sex life because the healing-oriented care is mindful of the whole person, including all aspects of your lifestyle.
Serenity values the therapeutic relationship between practitioner and patient, we are driven and supported by evidence, and we utilize appropriate custom therapies.
What are the Causes of Erectile Dysfunction?
Erections occur due to a complex system of hormones, emotions, and vascular and neurological systems all working together.
An erection starts with cerebral or sensory stimulation, and sometimes both. The brain produces impulses, and local nerves trigger the muscles of the penis to relax, allowing blood to flow through the arteries.
A malfunction in any of these processes can create difficulty obtaining or maintaining an erection and erectile dysfunction.
Any process along the way can interfere with the nerve signals or the proper function of blood vessels and can result in erectile dysfunction.
Erectile dysfunction is often an early warning sign
You should not ignore erectile dysfunction because it might indicate a more serious underlying disease. Some of the common causes are:
Diabetes
Heart and vascular disease
Kidney disease
Neurologic disorders
Medications (medications for depression and blood pressure are the most common)
Smoking and alcohol use
Low Testosterone
Certain treatments for prostate cancer and enlarged prostate
Peyronie’s disease (curvature of the penis)
Among most men, the leading physical cause of erectile dysfunction is a microvascular disease (inflammation of the small blood vessels in your body) caused by heart disease, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Secondary physical causes of erectile dysfunction can include various situations, typically related to insufficient blood flow to the penis – Hormonal imbalances: low testosterone, low DHEA and adrenal fatigue.
Common erectile problems are also caused by:
Low testosterone
Low vitamin D
Low B vitamins
High cholesterol and triglycerides
Pre-diabetes
Obesity
Hypertension
Stress (excessive working hours, relationship or financial difficulties).
Identifying and treating these things provides your best chance for success – not only curing your erectile dysfunction but also revolutionizing your health and impacting all aspects of your life.
Our patients experience improved relationships and a long-forgotten vitality.
Once the causative factors are identified and treated, it is time to regenerate the damaged erectile tissue.
Our erectile dysfunction treatments
Count on Serenity to provide the necessary resources for maximum effectiveness:
A thorough review of personal and family medical history
A comprehensive review of symptoms
Hormone level testing and a cardiometabolic panel
Programs tailored to alleviate precise symptoms based on personal medical history and lab result analysis
Compounded hormones and supplements
Ultrasound Therapy
Amino acid Therapy
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) & Exosomes
Nutritional and fitness recommendations and support
Erectile dysfunction ultrasound therapy
Ultrasound Therapy also knows as Shockwave
Serenity’s Ultrasound Therapy effectively treats erectile dysfunction, Peyronie’s disease and optimizes sexual performance. Ultrasound Therapy is effective because it focuses on the root cause of erectile dysfunction for many men – poor blood flow. Treatment is non-invasive, all-natural and produces long-term patient results.
The natural aging process for a man’s penis results in decreased blood flow, reduced strength, less sensitivity, and the blood vessels turn thin.
Ultrasound Therapy uses new technology that uses low-frequency high- amplitude sound waves to remove “Micro-plaque” clogging the arteries that deliver blood to the genitals.
The treatment involves using a small handheld wand-like device placed on the penis (in a similar way an ultrasound is performed) to deliver mild shockwaves to the penis.
Studies have determined Ultrasound Therapy is associated with new blood vessel growth and (in animal studies) recruitment of stem cells to the penis. These blood vessels, now rejuvenated, produce greater blood flow, enabling more prolonged and more potent erections.
Ultrasound Therapy is similar to lithotripsy technology, the standard treatment protocol for breaking up kidney stones. However, in this case, the energy output has been reduced, making it safe for sensitive erectile tissue – yet strong enough to break up micro plaque in the arteries and stimulate regeneration of worn-out tissue.
In just six to twelve 20-minute sessions, Serenity’s Erectile Dysfunction Ultrasound Therapy can get you on the road to enhanced sexual performance.
Studies support the judicious use of high-quality dietary supplements to treat erectile dysfunction. The world of supplements and herbal treatments for erectile dysfunction is vast. Your existing nutrient deficiencies and other factors will guide us to find the right combination.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the following supplements may help treat erectile dysfunction:
Some evidence shows that dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) increases libido in women and helps erectile dysfunction in men.
L-arginine is an amino acid that may help expand blood vessels and increase blood flow. Ginseng showed to improve sexual function in men with erectile dysfunction.
Beyond this, a popular supplement is zinc with copper, considered an essential component of many erectile dysfunction treatment plans for men.
A 1996 study examined zinc supplementation in older men. The study documented that with increased zinc consumption, testosterone levels in the elderly population of the study nearly doubled. This evidence supports zinc impacting testosterone production, essential in treating erectile dysfunction. In 2009, animal research tested the correlation between zinc and sexual function. The investigation determined that zinc positively affects arousal and maintaining an erection.
Vitamin D is an essential ingredient supporting your health and known for strengthening your bones. You get a significant amount of your vitamin D from the sun: The sunlight stimulates your body’s natural production of vitamin D, which in turn supports your metabolism and strengthens your bones.
But winter days are shorter in northern latitudes, and the sun’s angle in the sky stays low. Unfortunately, that means many people miss out on the benefits of sunlight. In fact, due to inadequate dietary intake and lack of sun, low vitamin D status is endemic in Serenity’s home state of Wisconsin.
Though vitamin D is primarily known to help bone health, a recent study found it also improves erectile dysfunction. The International Journal of Endocrinology published that men who received vitamin D supplements showed increased testosterone levels and improved erectile function (after vitamin D replacement therapy).
The study proposed several possible mechanisms for vitamin D’s effect on combating erectile dysfunction. For example, vitamin D could improve endothelial integrity, and vitamin D may directly protect endothelial cells against oxidative stress. Alternatively, the activation of vitamin D by the antioxidant pathway may produce nitric oxide, which promotes penile vascular dilation.
The important takeaway here for men is understanding how our environment contributes to erectile dysfunction and that our lives can encompass numerous causative factors, all contributing to varying degrees of erectile dysfunction.
The good news is our integrative medicine approach is designed to surface all that may be hindering your sexual vitality, end erectile dysfunction, and optimizes your return to a healthy sex life.
The human body is complex, with the function of one system directly or indirectly affecting other systems.
Erectile dysfunction can involve numerous parts and processes of the body, including the brain, nervous systems, muscles, blood vessels, and hormones.
In the Massachusetts Male Aging Study, a diet focused on natural foods like fruit, whole grains, vegetables, and fish — while minimizing red and processed meat and refined grains — decreased the likelihood of erectile dysfunction.
So while there’s no miracle food to prevent erectile dysfunction, there is some evidence that certain foods may help in that what you eat may affect your performance.
Because treatments have possible side effects (in addition to their benefits), we usually first look at lifestyle changes, such as modifying your diet for a positive impact because of the minimal potential side effects.
The first step is to order blood tests to screen for nutritional deficiencies. Even with a healthy diet, deficiencies arise because of genetics, absorption issues, or environmental factors.
One example is vitamin D. For those in northern latitudes, the only way to get enough vitamin D is to supplement. We will work with you to craft an optimized diet to build a robust vascular system and counter erectile dysfunction. Remember, a healthy vascular system means that the heart works well and pumps blood throughout the body- including the penis.
Yes, some foods facilitate and foster healthy blood flow.
For example, foods such as spinach and other leafy greens are high in nitrates. Nitrates are vasodilators that help open constricted blood vessels, thereby increasing blood flow.
Pistachios have Arginine, a protein helpful in relaxing blood vessels and improving circulation.
Watermelon contains an antioxidant called phytonutrients, which are also helpful in relaxing blood vessels and may positively relieve erectile dysfunction symptoms.
Dark red fruits like tomatoes and grapefruits contain lycopene, which promotes healthy circulation.
This is just a sampling of foods that may have an ingredient directly affecting circulation and indirectly erectile dysfunction. Together we can establish a diet optimized to return you to full vitality.
First visit. Your next steps for treating erectile dysfunction
Serenity’s team of experience ED physicians successfully personalize a combination of treatments and innovative technologies to address your case. Our holistic approach by caring experts will put you on the path to recovery to reach your health goals.
The first step is to diagnose the cause of your ED using testing.
We will test your heart, hormone levels, vitamin and mineral levels and anything else we deem necessary to get to the root cause of your ED. In fact, many causes are reversible.
Then, we will begin the prescribed treatments that are right for you. Your progress will be monitored and the treatments adjusted according to your results.
If you sense you have symptoms of erectile dysfunction and want help finding the root cause or would like to develop your personalized treatment or prevention plan for erectile dysfunction, make an appointment at Serenity, we’re here to help.
Approximately one-third of infertility cases are caused by male fertility issues, so it’s important to focus on improving male fertility when discussing natural fertility. There are several ways to improve a man’s fertility. At our functional medicine clinic near Milwaukee, we address the issue by taking a holistic approach.
Improving male fertility begins with addressing medical concerns
If there are no structural problems, we can look toward improving male fertility by optimizing overall health. This begins by taking a blood sample to check hormone levels. Dr. Debra Muth is a nationally recognized hormone expert, and she will investigate male hormone levels to determine whether changes need to occur to achieve the optimal balance for fertility.
In addition, improving male fertility means addressing chronic medical conditions. We advise patients to control high blood pressure, ensure that diabetes is being properly and constantly regulated, and address any other chronic medical problems.
Men who are preparing for cancer treatments should consult with us about preserving fertility; we work with oncologists to coordinate care. If a man has already had cancer treatment, we will discuss treatment options during our consultation.
Don’t forget to inform our team if you are taking any medications; certain prescriptions and even testosterone treatments will interfere with male fertility.
Addressing lifestyle issues
One of the most proactive ways to improve male fertility is embracing a healthy lifestyle. There are several areas that we address.
Eat a balanced diet rich in antioxidants to improve sperm count and motility, or movement. We offer supplements to boost male fertility.
Try to get to your ideal weight. Being overweight or underweight can affect fertility.
Additional tips for improving male fertility
We have several additional tips for improving male fertility.
Try to have sexual intercourse at least two to three times per week during your partner’s fertile window.
Do not use most sexual lubricants—limit your use to canola oil or Pre-Seed brand.
Exercise to increase the production of antioxidants and improve your overall health.
Avoid exposure to toxins such as pesticides and lead.
Be cool! Too much heat can increase your scrotal temperature and hinder sperm production. This means avoiding hot tubs, briefs, laptop computers on the lap and too much time sitting.
Consider alternative therapies as a way of enhancing health and improving male fertility.
Our functional medicine clinic near Milwaukee takes a comprehensive approach to every issue, including improving male fertility. For more information, contact us.
Patients at our functional medicine clinic near Milwaukee rely on the fact that our hormone supplements are produced from the safest raw materials at PCCA-accredited pharmacies. Our experienced hormone providers, Debra Muth ND and Amy Hoffman NP, work with each patient to determine which supplements will best address their health problems.
Our hormone supplements are created with pure raw materials
Our hormone supplements come from pharmaceutical-grade raw materials. Bioidentical hormones are created from natural sources like soy and yams. These plant sources possess molecules that can be converted in a lab into bioidentical hormones that have an identical molecular structure to hormones produced by the human body.
It’s important for patients to understand that not all hormone supplements are created equal. It begins with the raw materials. Our hormone supplements meet pharmaceutical-grade standards. Pharmaceutical-grade supplements must be 99% pure and contain no dyes, binders, fillers, excipients or other unknown substances.
PCCA-accredited pharmacies ensure quality
Bioidentical hormones are manufactured in compounding pharmacies. All of our hormone supplements are created in PCCA-accredited pharmacies. Since 1981, this organization has provided its member compounding pharmacies with training, high-quality chemicals and lab equipment. Our expert providers strive to ensure that our patients’ supplements will provide the most effective treatment.
Our providers know the best methods for administering hormone supplements
Some patients have come to our functional medicine clinic near Milwaukee after having a bad experience with hormone supplement pellets. Pellets can cause side effects and are expensive. Our providers believe that pellets are not the best way to administer our hormone supplements. Instead, we prefer creams, gels, oral medications or the transdermal method.
The transdermal method delivers bioidentical hormones via a patch. This method is adjustable and inexpensive. Every person is unique, and our providers individualize treatment to ensure that the delivery method is exactly right.
Our hormone therapies help men and women improve their quality of life
Patients who receive hormone therapies with our hormone supplements may experience symptom relief as early as the first week of treatment. Each person’s response to therapy varies.
Women and men who need help with their health should contact us for an appointment. The knowledgeable providers at our functional medicine clinic near Milwaukee utilize our hormone supplements and therapies to improve people’s quality of life.
Our experienced hormone providers administer hormone therapy
Patients at our functional medicine clinic near Milwaukee benefit from the expertise of our experienced hormone providers. These dedicated women work with patients to determine whether their hormones have declined and need to be supplemented. Once our practitioners complete the diagnostic process, they develop an individualized hormone therapy plan for each patient.
Our experienced hormone providers strive to improve patients’ health
When hormones decline, patients experience a variety of symptoms. They may suffer from menopausal issues, problems caused by low-T or conditions such as osteoporosis. Our hormone providers will design a program that provides patients with the bioidentical hormones their bodies need to get back to optimal health.
How bioidentical hormone therapy works
Several glands that secrete hormones make up the endocrine system. These hormones play vital roles in every bodily process, from sexual reproduction to digestion. When these hormones are unbalanced, it can cause a variety of problems that need to be diagnosed and treated. This is where the experienced hormone providers at our functional medicine clinic near Milwaukee come in.
Bioidentical hormones are plant-derived hormones that are molecularly identical and have the same chemical structure as the hormones produced by the body. Our providers believe that bioidentical hormones are superior to the synthetic hormones that are often used in traditional medicine because synthetic hormones are chemically altered and unlike your body’s hormones.
Meet our bioidentical hormone providers
Debra Muth ND and Amy Hoffman NP have the specialized knowledge to assess patients’ hormonal deficits and design a program of hormone therapy for each woman or man. Our experienced hormone providers have exemplary qualifications.
Debra Muth ND is a leader in the field of administering bioidentical hormones for healing the human body. She has specialized in hormone therapies since 1998. Dr. Muth has several credentials to her credit.
Naturopathic doctor (ND)
Board Certified Anti-Aging Specialist (BAAHP)
Lyme Literate Practitioner for Treatment of Chronic Lyme Disease
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)
Dr. Muth founded Serenity Healthcare Center in 2011, and it has gone on to become one of the foremost integrative clinics.
Another of our experienced hormone providers is Amy Hoffman NP. She is a holistic practitioner and a board certified nurse practitioner. Amy has a Master of Science in nursing and a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She believes in treating patients as whole people, not just a list of symptoms. She is dedicated to preventing age-related diseases and the onset of chronic disease by creating bioidentical hormone therapies for patients.
Patients who are looking for personalized, specialized care benefit from a visit to our functional medicine clinic near Milwaukee to visit our hormone providers. Contact us for an appointment.
At our functional medicine clinic near Milwaukee, we provide bioidentical hormones for men and women. Bioidentical hormones are chemically identical to the hormones our bodies naturally produce. Patients who are suffering from symptoms caused by age-related hormone loss may benefit from this type of hormone therapy. Because each individual is unique, hormone therapy should only be administered by trained practitioners who can assess each person’s health to determine whether hormone therapy is right for them.
What are bioidentical hormones?
Bioidentical hormones are created from natural plant sources such as yams. They have the same chemical composition as the hormones that our bodies produce naturally. They are not the same as synthetic hormones derived from sources such as equine urine. Synthetic hormones do not have the same structure as natural hormones.
At our functional medicine clinic near Milwaukee, we only provide bioidentical hormones because we believe they are superior to synthetic ones.
We also utilize compounded hormone therapy because it allows our practitioners to individualize a treatment protocol for each person. Our compounded hormones are only produced by reliable, accredited compounding pharmacies. The formulations are developed and based on saliva or blood tests that assess an individual’s hormone levels and needs.
What symptoms do these hormones treat?
Bioidentical hormones can be administered to women who are experiencing menopausal symptoms caused by estrogen loss. It is also helpful for men who exhibit andropause symptoms caused by decreases in testosterone as they age. The hormones can help treat several symptoms.
Women’s symptoms
Hot flashes
Vaginal dryness
Sexual dysfunction such as loss of desire
Pain that occurs during sex
Sleep problems
Night sweats
Weight gain
Mood changes
Memory loss and foggy thinking
Energy loss and fatigue
Men’s symptoms
Loss of muscle mass
Weight gain
Erectile dysfunction and lower sex drive
Hair loss
Sleep problems and fatigue
Gynecomastia, or enlarged breasts
How are bioidentical hormones administered?
Bioidentical hormones are administered in several different forms. These include patches, gels, creams, pills and injections. The trained professionals at our functional medicine clinic near Milwaukee will decide the best method of administering the hormones for each patient. Our practitioners will determine the proper dose and then adjust it as needed as therapy progresses.
These individual hormones are safe and FDA-approved. Compounded hormones are not FDA-tested, but we believe that they are safe and effective when compounded by the accredited compounding pharmacies we recommend.
People who are suffering from the problems caused by aging and hormone loss may benefit from bioidentical hormones at our functional medicine clinic near Milwaukee. Contact us for an appointment.
Dr. Muth is asked everyday why do so many people have issues with hormone and thyroid function? Certainly looking back over the past century it appears people are experiencing more symptoms with menopause and certainly more thyroid disease. There can be several causes for these changes.
First, we are more open about discussing our medical conditions compared to fifty years ago. But there are distinct problems that can cause the hormonal system to malfunction. The chemicals in the environment are more prevalent. There are more people using these chemicals that enter our water system through typical disposal down our drains and toilets. There are many more chemicals than ever before being used, according to World Meters. Over 10 million tons of chemicals are disposed of every year into our environment. Over 2 Million of these are cancer-causing chemicals.
Many of these chemicals are known as endocrine disruptors, which is defined as chemicals that, at certain doses, can interfere with endocrine (or hormone) systems. This means they can disrupt the natural function or the production of the hormones.
The million-dollar question is why do some people have problems with these chemicals and others do not? We believe this has to do more with genetics than exposure. The more we know about genetics, the more this comes to light on how people react to various exposures. There are known genes that prevent one from excreting hormones like estrogen. This can be a significant problem if one takes estrogen and is not supporting their body to get rid of the excess.
MTHFR (Methytetrahydrate Folate Reductase) is just one gene that many are familiar with that assists in detoxification. But there are several others that are equally or even more important such as; SOD, COMT, NAT, that assist the body in creating amino acids necessary to remove these toxins. Diseases like Fibromyalgia, Cancer and Thyroid disease can occur when these genes are blocked.
A variety of symptoms occur when chemical exposures cause “endocrine disruption”
The following is a short list that can correlate with many different disorders: fatigue, pain, brain fog, weight gain, irritability, depression, anxiety, cancer, chemical sensitivity, numbness, tingling, ear ringing, memory loss, PMS, or premature menopause are just a few symptoms that can occur as a result.
Now that you know some of the things that can cause the body to lose balance, the more important thing to discuss is how do we get balance back?
Keeping our environment free of as many chemicals as possible is the first step. Eating organic can be very expensive and when you are trying to feed a large family it can feel impossible. A few tips for that are: purchase from the local farmers market or a local CSA allows you the opportunity to talk directly to the person growing your food. You can ask what chemicals they are using. Practice canning or freeze items for the winter. Pay particular attention to the “Dirty Dozen” this is a list of foods you should always eat organically. Here is a link that will provide you fantastic information on this topic: https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary.php
Get your genetics tested you can use https://www.23andme.com it is inexpensive and your information can be used for research or kept private. I would caution you, do not ever let a health care provider keep a copy of this information because you can be denied life insurance or other health related insurance based on these results. Once these results are obtained you want to have an experienced person review these results so you can create a plan to support the genetic detox issues that you have. These treatment plans are usually life long because your genes do not change.
Use clean chemicals for house cleaning. There are good premade products that can be purchased in many stores or you can make your own with essential oils. Companies like Young Living Oils or doTerra are happy to share information on how to mix essential oils together. You can also use these in lotions instead of the chemical based products on the market. You can also make a Baking Soda scrub and vinegar and water great cleaning products.
Detox is Key
Practicing regular detox is key. Using sauna therapy Far Infarred is what we recommend by a company called https://www.hightechhealth.com/, (if you mention our name you can get a discount). I would recommend following instructions based on your health. Detox footbaths are another great source for cleansing the body of chemicals. If you can tolerate these you should use them a few times a week.
These various detox methods mentioned so far involve a series of enzymatic reactions that neutralize and solubilize toxins; homeopathic remedies can be added to assist in transporting the toxins to the secretory organs (like the liver or kidneys), so that they can be excreted from the body. These should be chosen individually based on your health. Sometimes we use products to move through the liver or kidneys and these organs have to be functioning properly before you start this process. Some people recommend Detox Programs with herbs; this can be helpful but again talk to your health care provider first. One tip: you may not feel well for the first few days; this is a good indication you are toxic.
Excess hormones, vitamins, inflammatory molecules, and signaling compounds, among others, are typically eliminated from the body by the same enzymatic detoxification systems that protect the body from environmental toxins, or clear prescription drugs from circulation. Metabolic detoxification reactions, therefore, are not only important for protection from the environment, but also central to homeostatic balance in the body.
In certain cases we need to eliminate more toxins because of illnesses like Parkinson’s disease. In those cases we will use IV amino acids to assist in more extensive detox methods. This can be used when people have bacterial overloads as well.
This information is not meant to cause fear but to provide a basic understanding of how the body can be affected and give you a basis for correcting the problems. Do some homework on what chemicals you have in your home that you are exposing your family to and make small changes to start with and grow your knowledge from there.
