So, how much of an effect does human growth hormone have on the body? One man, Dr. Uzzi Reiss admits that he’s “been taking H.G.H. for many years. I have the energy and vibrancy of a man half my age … I don’t get sick, don’t get jet-lagged. I can’t see why anybody would inject H.G.H. if it doesn’t have any benefits.”
via Hollywood’s Human Growth Hormone Problem: Are Stars Taking It To Stay Young?.
December 30, 2011
Start 2012 Right by Reducing the Symptom of Menopause
Make the resolution now to enjoy life again. We here at Bioidentical Hormone Resource Center assure you this is a real possibility. Through safe and natural (bio-identical) hormone replacement therapy you can start 2012 feeling like a new person.
Would you like to get rid of that belly fat once and for all, stop the bitching and mood swings, get a good night’s sleep and fight cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s while you’re at it? Well, then, why wait for 2012?
Whether you do it today, or in the beginning of the new year, we are sure you will enjoy the benefits of bio identical hormone replacement therapy.
The process is simple: Look up a specialist in your area on bioidentical hormone doctors, make an appointment for your hormone levels to be checked, follow the doctors orders with prescriptions tailor made for you to balance out your hormones, and enjoy life again!
October 11, 2011
If you’ve been following our blogs, you know that we have been tracking patient, Brandy Harvey, on her journey with bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Since her first visit to check her hormone levels, Brandy has filled us in on what it’s really like to receive treatment for hormone issues. She recently had another check up. Let’s see what’s going on with her and her hormones now.
What was your last visit about?
BH: A follow-up visit to determine whether the prescribed hormones might need tweaking. I had more blood work done the week before my appointment, which the BHRT doctor reviewed in detail with me. Since this was only my second visit, we expected that the dosages would need some fine-tuning, especially since the doctor started me on low levels of the hormones, since I told him that I was very sensitive to medication. Surprisingly, only two needed to be increased – the other four were right on target.
KS: What age are your hormones at now?
BH: He said my current “hormone age” was about 35-40, but we are aiming for about 30-35.
KS: Were you surprised to find your hormones of that age?
BH: Oh yes, I had not expected that.
KS: Remind us of your real age.
BH: Currently I am 51, turning 52 in January.
KS: Any side effects?
BH: The only side effect I’ve been able to detect has been a slight dizziness from time to time. I discussed this with the BHRT doctor at my last visit, and apparently that is caused by not taking one of the hormones with food. I have remedied that this week, and hope to see a difference. Otherwise, I have not noticed any negative effects of the therapy.
KS: Describe the way you now feel compared to before therapy.
BH: I can hardly believe the difference! I have much more energy, I am definitely feeling more healthy and in control and able to lead an active, productive, happy life. I feel like my old self again! If you recall, I was feeling so awful before the hormone therapy, I was sure I would not be able to enjoy our vacation in August. There was even a chance I wouldn’t be able to make the four hour drive alone down to the coast. Not only was I able to have a wonderful vacation, but after returning home, I have started working out again. In fact, I was able to participate in a fund-raiser, doing pushups for charity. It was very challenging, as I had to train every day to prepare, but I did very well and earned quite a bit towards our goal. Plus I felt great! What a difference!
KS: How long do you anticipate being on this therapy?
BH: I will need to take the female hormones for the rest of my life, although the dosages may decrease in the coming years. The others, we shall see over the next couple of years. There is a chance that my body might be able to begin producing enough to do without the supplements. However, at this point, I am looking at this as a long-term solution. No matter how long my life might be, I’d rather live feeling this wonderful, than how I felt before going on the hormone therapy!
As you can see bioidentical hormone replacement therapy has made a tremendous difference in the quality of Brandy’s life. It can do the same for you! Please visit our list of bioidentical hormone replacement specialists at: www.bioidenticalhormonedoctors.com to find a doctor who specializes in this cutting edge treatment.
October 11, 2011
KS: Brandy, thanks for sharing so much information with us about what it’s really like to have bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. I am sure some of our readers who have been skeptical about the process are reconsidering as you have been extremely candid and positive about your experience.
BH: I can only say that I wish I had gone to my BHRT doctor sooner. He is wonderful, and the hormone therapy has made a tremendous impact in my life
KS: Can you give us some examples?
BH: Definitely. I am not nearly as cranky or impatient, the sex life has improved and my sense of humor has returned. All good things, and my husband is quite appreciative! Also, my relationships with my sons, my friends, and my co-workers have all improved. Recently, several people have mentioned that they had been worried about me – my reactions were rather irregular and bad-tempered, apparently before treatment. Plus the fact that I very much retreated from my friends, as I didn’t have the energy or inclination to spend time with other people. Since the hormone therapy though, everyone has noticed a difference. I seem to deal with stress so much better now than I did prior to hormone therapy. In fact, several people have made the decision to look into hormone therapy for themselves, when they saw what a wonderful difference it has made in me.
KS: Have there been any disappointments with the therapy?
BH: I have not been losing weight as quickly as I would have hoped, but since my estrogen was still quite low, we are hoping that will improve once the dosage is increased. My energy is so much better but still not 100% although that is what we are working on for next round and I have faith that it will only get better. The doctor has increased my dosages of estrogen and DHEA, both of which were still quite low. Otherwise, the progesterone, testosterone, D3, and thyroid were all on target. Also, it is still a bit difficult to realize that I will need to be on hormone therapy for the rest of my life. That thought is a bit daunting at times. However, I just have to remind myself of the dramatic difference in my life now to convince me it is all worthwhile.
KS: What will happen at your next appointment?
BH: My BHRT doctor ordered new dosages of the two hormones which needed to be increased, and refills for the others. I will continue at these levels for the next three months. At that time, I will have more blood tests then see the BHRT doctor for another follow-up visit, to see how things are working out. We will tweak the dosages as needed at that time. If things are going well, then it will probably be eight months before my next visit.
KS: How long do you anticipate being on this therapy?
BH: I will need to take the female hormones for the rest of my life, although the dosages may decrease in the coming years. The others, we shall see over the next couple of years. There is a chance that my body might be able to begin producing enough to do without the supplements. However, at this point, I am looking at this as a long-term solution. No matter how long my life might be, I’d rather live feeling this wonderful, than how I felt before going on the hormone therapy. Theres something else I want to share with you and the readers. I have noticed that I am healing faster – when I work out, even though my muscles are sore, I don’t get as terribly sore as I used to. Nor do I hurt for as long – it used to take four or five days for the aches and pains to settle down. Now, I might be a bit sore the next day, but that’s about it. I have noticed that my shoulder has healed completely now – no more residual twinges when I move it or put weight on it. (If you recall, I had a torn rotator cuff injury in my right shoulder from over two years ago that was healing very slowly.) Before hormone therapy, I would still have some pain and aches from the old injury, but now my shoulder is feeling as good as new. As I mentioned in Tuesday’s blog, I was able to participate in a pushup challenge, which I could never have done six months ago. Also, having more energy has allowed me to examine other aspects of my life. With such low energy levels, I had really gotten into a lot of bad habits about eating and housekeeping. Lately, though, I’ve made some big changes, some of which my family is not too happy with. (House cleaning?! Do we HAVE to?! Oh no!!!!) Plus my husband and I have made some financial decisions that should really help out our lives in the future, which we have needed to do for a couple years. I would never have been able to focus or dedicate the energy required to making these decisions prior to hormone therapy. It results are indirect, but significant nonetheless!
Brandy is a real life testimonial to the positive benefits of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. If you are interested in this type of treatment, please visit our list of doctors at: www.bioidenticalhormonedoctors.com.
September 30, 2011
Are you suffering from menopause?
Leave it to Suzanne Somers to entertain us with even the most miserable of topics! She refers to the top 10 symptoms of menopause as the Seven Dwarfs of Menopause: Itchy, Bitchy, Sweaty, Sleepy, Bloated, Forgetful and All Dried Up. To sum it up, a woman who has an out of control body and emotions- a woman who is not much fun to be around!
In reality, there are many symptoms of menopause. But commonly, the top 10 are describes as: Loss of menstrual cycle, hot flashes, night sweats, depression, fatigue, mood swings, anxiety, vaginal dryness, itchy skin, and loss of libido.
The median age for menopause to occur for a woman in the United States is 51. Menarche (the start of monthly periods) can be described as being the opposite of menopause.
The ovaries play the most critical role in reaching menopause. Ovaries secrete estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen is responsible for the appearance of secondary sex characteristics of a female and it is also important for the maturation and maintenance of the reproductive organs. Progesterone works with estrogen by allowing menstrual cycle cyclic changes in the endometrium.
Let’s say that a young woman has had a hysterectomy-which involved the removal of both her ovaries and the removal of her uterus. This woman will go into sudden menopause due to the removal of both ovaries. The woman will no longer menstruate or have the ability to become pregnant. Even if this same woman had a uterus that was left in tact, she would still enter into “surgical menopause” immediately. But let’s say that at least one of her ovaries was kept in tact, then the woman will not immediately enter into menopause. With at least one ovary kept, ovulation and the release of the hormones secreted by the ovaries will continue on until the woman hits menopause naturally. (Please see our previous blog on hysterectomies for more information on this subject).
Technically for a woman with no surgical interference, menopause hits when a woman has experienced 12 months without any menstrual bleeding.
There’s no escaping menopause. It’s a natural part of a woman’s life but unfortunately it is a very trying time for many women. Luckily, the hormones that become depleted during menopause can be replaced effectively with bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Thanks to bioidentical hormone replacement therapy there is no reason why menopause can’t be the best part of your life. To find a bioidentical hormone replacement specialist in your area, please visit: www.bioidenticalhormonedoctors.com.
February 2, 2012
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