Hormone therapy is used to supplement hormones when the body is not producing adequate amounts naturally. As we age or due to medical conditions, hormone production can become imbalanced leading to undesirable symptoms. Replacing these hormones through therapy can provide relief.
Hormone therapy helps the body regain optimal hormonal balance correcting deficiency signs and improving quality of life. There are various types of hormone therapy available to treat different conditions. Some of the most common hormone therapies include:
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is used primarily in men to raise low testosterone levels. Testosterone is essential for male health regulating sex drive, muscle mass, bone density, red blood cell production, and more. Low testosterone or hypogonadism leads to symptoms like low libido, erectile dysfunction, depressed mood, and decreased energy.
TRT is available in different forms - injections, gels, patches and pellets. It can effectively alleviate low testosterone symptoms when levels are restored to normal through regular supplementation. Testosterone therapy has been shown to:
Estrogen therapy replaces estrogen in women typically during perimenopause and postmenopause. Estrogen is essential for female health regulating the reproductive system, bone strength, heart health, and more. Declining estrogen leads to symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood changes, sleep disruptions and joint pain.
Estrogen therapy effectively reduces these undesirable menopausal symptoms. It is available in different forms like pills, patches, gels and vaginal rings. Estrogen replacement has been shown to:
The first step in hormone therapy is getting the right diagnosis through blood tests and clinical evaluation. Accurately measuring hormone levels is essential to determine if treatment is warranted and monitor patient progress on therapy.
Some key hormone tests include:
Total and free testosterone should be tested in men with suspected low levels. Normal ranges differ slightly between labs but generally total testosterone levels below 300 ng/dL are considered low.
Free testosterone specifically measures the amount of active and usable testosterone in the body. Low free testosterone is often present even when total testosterone is in the normal range, making it an important additional marker.
For women, both total estrogen and the main types of estrogen (estradiol, estrone) should be tested. Levels naturally fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle so testing may need to be performed at different cycle stages for accurate results.
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) tests can provide additional insight for peri/postmenopausal women. Elevated FSH and LH indicate declining ovarian function.
Testing other hormones like progesterone in women and human growth hormone (HGH) in men provides further detail into overall hormonal balance. Thyroid and adrenal hormones should also be checked as imbalance in these areas can exacerbate hormone deficiency symptoms.
Once hormone testing indicates a clear deficiency, beginning treatment promptly leads to the best results. The benefits of swift therapy include:
Delaying treatment allows hormone deficiency to progress further exacerbating related health consequences. That's why timely lab testing, diagnosis and therapy initiation are all crucial.
At Equilibrium Hormone Institute our specialized medical providers streamline this process so Nampa-area patients can get the hormonal support they need quickly. We offer both virtual and in-person consultations with testing coordinated promptly after. This facilitates rapid treatment starts so patients feel better faster.
As the top hrt clinic serving Nampa and the surrounding area, Equilibrium Hormone Institute offers cutting-edge hormone replacement protocols customized for your unique needs. Our expansive therapy menu includes:
Testosterone therapy at Equilibrium Hormone Institute utilizes top quality pharmaceutical-grade testosterone to safely restore optimal levels. We provide all TRT administration routes - injections, gels, pellets and more to best fit your lifestyle.
TRT is supervised by our specialized medical team including anti-aging physicians and hrt therapists with advanced hormonal training. We tailor your treatment plan based on symptoms, lab tests, health history and patient goals. Follow-up is conducted regularly to monitor progress and make dosage adjustments as needed.
Estrogen replacement at Equilibrium Hormone Institute employs bioidentical hormones identical in structure to the estrogen naturally made by the body. Bioidentical hormones come from plant sources and are better tolerated than synthetic hormone preparations.
We offer estrogen therapy including Bi-Est cream, Divigel pumps and estradiol patches - all dosed to meet your individual hormonal needs. Follow-ups every 4-8 weeks help ensure you are responding optimally to treatment for best menopause symptom relief.
In addition to testosterone and estrogen therapy, Equilibrium Hormone Institute also specializes in replacing and balancing hormones like:
Our integrative methods look beyond a single hormone, evaluating your complete hormonal network. This comprehensive perspective paired with replacement of multiple hormones when indicated provides superior patient benefits.
Our top-tier medical team makes the difference at Equilibrium Hormone Institute. We feature board-certified physicians, nurse practitioners and PhDs specializing in hormone therapy including:
Their cutting-edge therapies, relentless commitment to patient care and compassionate support foster the best possible treatment experience. Patients rave about the exceptional service and expertise found only at Equilibrium Hormone Institute!
Hormone therapy can help transgender individuals align their physical characteristics with their gender identity. Studies show that when given access to hormone therapy, transgender people report improvements in quality of life, self-esteem, and life satisfaction. This suggests hormone therapy plays an important role in supporting transgender health and well-being.
The right hormone replacement protocols are important but certain lifestyle factors also amplify your results:
Following a nutrition-focused diet high in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, complex carbs and healthy fats maximizes hormones for optimal function. Deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals like zinc, magnesium and vitamin D impair hormone activity as well. Our providers offer personalized diet recommendations targeting your unique nutritional needs to get the most from therapy.
Engaging in consistent physical activity - cardio, strength training and HIIT - helps hormone receptors respond better enhancing therapy effects. Just 30-60 minutes daily significantly augments hormone benefits. We suggest local gyms and recreation areas perfect to stay active in Nampa.
Managing emotional stress through yoga, meditation, journaling, nature exposure and other relaxing activities optimizes hormonal response. Unchecked stress floods the body with cortisol which blunts hormone therapy benefits. Our team provides stress coping tips and local wellness resources to best support your total health on therapy.
Getting 7-9 hours of quality sleep nightly enables optimal hormone production and tissue repair. Poor sleep diminishes therapy progress. We offer sleep hygiene advice and treatment options like melatonin supplementation if sleep difficulties arise.
When these foundational lifestyle pillars are in place, patients respond remarkably well to our innovative hormone therapy programs - feeling revitalized, youthful and healthier than they have in years!
Understanding what causes hormone depletion provides helpful context into your personal hormone therapy journey. Some factors leading to low testosterone, estrogen and other hormones include:
Aging: Hormone production naturally starts declining around age 30 and continues decreasing steadily thereafter. Testosterone drops 1-2% yearly while estrogen decline accelerates during perimenopause into menopause. Replenishing age-related hormone loss is crucial for wellbeing.
High Body Fat: Excess body fat interferes with hormonal signals leading to imbalances and conversion of sex hormones like testosterone into estrogen exacerbating depletion. Reducing body fat levels often helps raise testosterone production naturally.
Chronic Illnesses: Certain medical conditions like type 2 diabetes, hormonal disorders, autoimmune diseases and kidney disease impair hormone output over time. Treating the underlying disorder is key but hormone therapy still needed for relief.
Medications: Long-term use of certain prescription drugs like opioids, corticosteroids and antidepressants hamper hormone production often necessitating replacement therapy even after stopping the medication. We assist with safe medication cessation and transition programs.
Lifestyle Factors: Poor diet, excess alcohol intake, inadequate sleep and high stress sustained over months/years suppress hormone function. Optimizing these aspects amplifies therapy effectiveness.
While some factors like aging are inevitable, concentrating on elements within your control makes a profound impact. Our team supports patients in making sustainable lifestyle upgrades for hormone gains.
See your Equilibrium Hormone Institute provider to discover the reasons behind your hormone deficiency and customized solutions for overcoming them.
Once hormone imbalance signs and symptoms appear, getting the right testing and initiating therapy promptly is key for the best outcomes. Here is an overview of the process:
Initial testing requires bloodwork to accurately check hormone levels - total and free testosterone for men along with estrogen, FSH and LH for women. Thyroid hormones should be evaluated as well. Testing is ideally performed early morning when hormone levels peak after sufficient nighttime fasting.
Clinical evaluation assessing symptoms and medical history coupled with testing results determines if treatment is appropriate. Levels below the normal range along with multiple bothersome symptoms confirm hormone deficiency requiring therapy.
Qualified patients then begin customized hormone replacement dosing - TRT for men and various estrogen preparations for women along with other hormones like thyroid medication as needed.
Follow-up blood tests and symptom assessments are conducted at regular intervals like every 3 months to evaluate patient response and make dosage adjustments accordingly. This ensures continual optimization of hormone levels and therapy effectiveness over time.
While each case is unique, this basic sequence facilitates prompt improvements so patients feel better faster while avoiding adverse effects. Equilibrium Hormone Institute streamlines testing, diagnosis and treatment starts allowing Nampa residents to rapidly access the hormonal support vital for wellness.
As a top women’s hormone replacement therapy provider in Nampa, we understand the importance of community during your treatment process. Connecting with others and engaging local wellness resources enhances progress.
We suggest checking out these spots to socialize, move your body, reduce stress and more as you rebalance your hormones:
Labs: - St. Alphonsus Medical Center - Lab & Imaging Center - Terry Riley Health Services - Saint Alphonsus Nampa Medical Plaza
Parks: - Lakeview Park - gorgeous views! - Wilson Ponds Parkway - great walking trails - Midway Park - open green spaces and playgrounds
Fitness & Community: - The CORE Boot Camp Gym - high-energy strength training & HIIT - Elevate Yoga Nampa - vinyasa flow helping mind-body balance - Ridge Athletic Club - brand new facility with pools and tennis courts! - Downtown Nampa Farmers Market - Saturdays, 9am-1pm - fresh produce sources!
Reconnecting to community amplifies your hormone optimization journey. Visit these local favorites and more for healthy living inspiration as you progress through treatment. Our Equilibrium Hormone Institute team happily provides further Nampa gems supporting your goals.
Let us help you finally address frustrating hypogonadism or menopause symptoms for a thriving life ahead. Equilibrium Hormone Institute offers convenient virtual and local visits to deliver first-class gender-specific hormone therapy in a judgment-free environment.
Contact our friendly staff today to determine if hormone replacement is right for you!
