Hormone Restoration
Hormone Replacement Options
Hormones act as the messengers of the body; facilitating everything from healing and recovery, to mood and sexual health. Without the right balance of hormones, the body begins to function less efficiently and becomes more vulnerable to the effects of aging or other external factors, like stress and medication.
Women naturally experience greater fluctuations and changes in hormones throughout their lives as they move through stages like menstruation, pregnancy and childbirth, perimenopause, and menopause. As women age, however, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone—and hormone production in general—begins to decline, resulting in hormone levels that are imbalanced. Low estrogen and hormone imbalances can lead to hot flashes, weight gain, low libido, vaginal dryness, and sleep problems.
Men may notice more subtle hormone deficiency symptoms due to declining testosterone levels associated with aging. This is often termed as “Andropause.”
Ageless by Vicki is an authorized provider of female and male pellet therapy, a proven method of replacing and balancing hormones that effectively returns your body to its optimal function, helping both men and women get more out of life.
By replacing the hormones your body is no longer producing—especially the sex hormones estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone—male and female pellet therapy can help bring your hormone levels back to the proper balanced levels to promote healthy aging and enjoy:
More energy
Better sleep
Improved libido and sex drive
Weight regulation
Improved mental health, mood, and mental health
Reduced or complete relief of hot flashes and night sweats
Improved bone density
Increased muscle mass for men and women
Female Menopause
Menopause: The point in time 12 months after a woman's last period and increasing follicular and lutenizing hormone levels. The years leading up to that point, when women may have changes in their monthly cycles, hot flashes, or other symptoms, is called the menopausal transition or perimenopause. Peri-menopause onset may be 10 years or more prior to the menopausal transition resulting in hormone deficiency symptoms. Peri-menopause often begins between ages 45 and 55. The average age for menopause in the United States is age 51, according to the NIH.
Recognizing hormone deficiency symptoms in women:
Depressive mood/irritability
Brain fog/memory loss
Decreased sex drive/libido
Decreased orgasm response
Sleep problems
Headaches
Vaginal dryness
Hot flashes/night sweats
Prematurely aging skin…and more
Male Menopause
“Andras” in Greek means human male and “pause” in Greek a cessation; so literally “andropause” is defined as a syndrome associated with a decrease in sexual satisfaction or a decline in a feeling of general well-being with low levels of testosterone in older man, according to the NIH.
Recognizing Low Testosterone Levels In Men
A man's testosterone levels decline on average about 1% a year after age 40. But most older men still have testosterone levels within the normal range, with only an estimated 10% to 25% having levels considered to be low. Low testosterone levels in older men often go unnoticed. Testosterone levels can be checked by a blood test, but tests aren't routinely done. And many men who have low testosterone levels experience no symptoms. In addition, the signs and symptoms associated with low testosterone aren't specific to low testosterone. They can also be caused by a person's age, medication use or other conditions, such as having a body mass index of 30 or higher. Still, signs and symptoms suggestive of low testosterone include:
Reduced sexual desire and activity
Decreased spontaneous erections or erectile dysfunction
Breast discomfort or swelling
Infertility
Height loss, low trauma fracture or low bone mineral density
Hot flashes or sweats
Other possible symptoms include decreased energy, motivation and confidence, depressed mood, and poor concentration. It's also possible to experience increased sleepiness, sleep disturbances, mild unexplained anemia, reduced muscle bulk and strength, and increased body fat.
In 2020, the American College of Physicians recommended that medical providers consider starting testosterone treatment in men with sexual dysfunction who want to improve their sexual function, after explaining the risks and benefits. The Endocrine Society recommends testosterone therapy for men with age-related low testosterone who have signs and symptoms associated with low testosterone.
Some experts also recommend offering testosterone treatment to men with age-related low testosterone without the presence of signs or symptoms.
If you choose to start testosterone therapy, your Ageless practitioner will explain the different ways testosterone can be administered, target levels with baseline and closely monitored follow-up lab testing.
Male testosterone restoration options include: Testosterone pellet implants, testosterone injections, or topical testosterone therapies. It is an individualized and not a one-size fits all approach at Ageless.
Pelleting
Pellet therapy uses bioidentical hormones that are placed via a small rice-sized pellet inserted into an area of fatty tissue, such as the hip. Bioidentical hormones are derived from plant-based sources and have the same chemical structure as those naturally produced by the body.
Subcutaneous pellets are a preferred method of delivering hormone replacement because, unlike creams, pills, or patches, pellets deliver a more gradual and consistent level of hormones directly into the bloodstream. This helps avoid the fluctuations and changes seen in the liver that tend to occur with oral therapy and reduces the production of increased clotting factors, making it safer and more effective than other types of hormone replacement therapy.
Topical Hormone Therapy
Creams
Hormone creams allow the right dose of hormones to be absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream to help relieve hot flashes, night sweats, depression and other symptoms of menopause.
After testing her hormone levels, usually with a saliva test, a woman can use a customized cream with enough of a hormone dose to relieve the symptoms of menopause, perimenopause or low estrogen. Cream formulas can easily be adjusted over time for changing needs.
Hormone creams are absorbed differently by each individual, and the amount of hormones that actually enter the bloodstream depends on the method by which the cream was prepared and how much has been applied directly to the skin. However, because the cream is applied daily, it’s easy to adjust application or change up the formula if you experience side effects.
Hormone creams are usually applied to the arms once or twice a day as prescribed. Because hormone creams are applied in small doses, it prevents peaks and valleys in hormone levels that can occur with other forms of delivery. Also, since the estrogen is absorbed through the skin and directly into the bloodstream, it can be a safer choice than oral estrogen for people who have liver or gallbladder health issues.
Patches
In addition to offering the same benefits as oral therapy, this type of hormone treatment has several additional advantages. For one, the patch is convenient. You can stick it on and not worry about having to take a pill each day.
While hormone pills can be dangerous for people with liver problems, patches are OK, because the hormone bypasses the liver and goes directly into the blood. According to studies, women who used HRT tablets were 58% more likely to develop a blood clot within 90 days than those who did not use HRT. Women who used HRT absorbed through the skin, such as gels, patches, or creams, had no increased risk of blood clots. However, the scientists noted approximately 80% of women choose oral treatments instead.
While some experts believe that estrogen patches may be safer than oral estrogen in other ways, they also have many similar, although perhaps milder, side effects. These include painful and swollen breasts, vaginal discharge, headache, and nausea. The patch itself might irritate the skin where you apply it.
Patches should not be exposed to high heat or direct sunlight. Heat can make some patches release the hormones too quickly, giving too high a dose at first and then too low a dose later. So don't use tanning beds or saunas while you're wearing a hormone patch.
Oral Therapy
Oral medication is the most common form of hormone replacement. Examples are conjugated estrogens Premarin, Estradiol, Kyzatrex and Jatenzo . Follow your provider’s instructions for dosing. Most pills are taken once a day without food. Some have more complicated dosing schedules.
Pros:
Like other types of estrogen therapy, hormone replacement pills can reduce or resolve troublesome symptoms of menopause in women and low testosterone in men. They can also lower the risk of osteoporosis.
Cons:
The risks of oral estrogen therapy have been well-publicized. On its own, estrogen causes a slight increase in the risk of strokes, blood clots, and other problems. When combined with the hormone progestin, the risks of breast cancer and heart attack may rise as well. Oral estrogen, like any estrogen therapy, can also cause side effects. These include painful and swollen breasts, vaginal discharge, headache, and nausea. Because oral hormone therapy can be hard on the liver, people with liver damage should not take it. Instead, they should choose a different way of getting hormone replacement. Estrogen is also sometimes not well absorbed, especially if you take certain medicines or have stomach problems. It may also increase your cholesterol, because it is metabolized in the liver.
“I am deeply grateful to my hormone Nurse Practitioner, Vicki, whose exceptional care has transformed my life. From our very first meeting, Vicki took the time to listen attentively to all my pre-menopause symptoms, ensuring she understood the full scope of my experiences. Her comprehensive approach led to a personalized plan that addressed my unique needs. Thanks to her expertise and unwavering support, I now feel like my old self again, revitalized and balanced. Vicki's dedication has not only alleviated my symptoms but has also restored my confidence and well-being. I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone seeking compassionate and effective hormonal care.”
- Cari (Client)
“I started seeing Vicki Joyce in 2022, and she has truly been a game-changer for my health and well-being. I was struggling with fatigue, brain fog, and irritability, and she took the time to listen, understand my concerns, and create a personalized plan to help me manage my thyroid, hormones, and weight. Thanks to her expertise and care, I feel better than I have in years!
Not only has she helped me feel better on the inside, but she has also helped me feel more confident on the outside. I now go to Vicki for Botox and filler as well, and she does a fabulous job! She is knowledgeable, professional, and truly cares about her patients. I highly recommend her to anyone looking to improve their health and wellness.”
- Lorie (Client)