Hot Flashes AheadIs hormone therapy right for you?

Hormones are powerful. We know this from an early age (remember puberty?). It only takes a small amount to cause changes to our bodies. Unfortunately, puberty isn’t the end of the hormone roller coaster.

As we age, our hormones change - which can be brutal since hormones are the body’s chemical messengers. During the time of changes, chemicals become off balance and can affect different processes, including:

• Growth and development
• Metabolism
• Sexual function
• Mood

Let’s break it down: Endocrine glands, which are special groups of cells—make hormones. The pituitary, pineal, thymus, thyroid, adrenal glands, testes or ovaries, and the pancreas are part of the endocrine system. If one of these glands produces too much or too little of a particular hormone, it can mean serious consequences for your body.

Many things can cause hormone imbalance. However, menopause is the most common – as an estimated 6,000 U.S. women reach menopause every day, according to The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Most women officially reach menopause between 45 and 55, and symptoms can last between two and ten years.

Symptoms include:

• Insomnia
• Decreased sex drive
• Difficulty losing weight
• Hair loss or hair thinning
• Hair loss or hair thinning
• Moderate or severe emotional stress
• Excessive facial or body hair (in women)
• Mood swings, irritability, anxiety, or depression

Women aren’t the only ones that can suffer from hormone imbalance. While men don’t go through menopause, men can experience hormonal imbalances too.

Symptoms in men include:

• Hair loss
• Muscle aches and joint pain
• Weight gain, increased body fat
• Decreased confidence and drive
• Feeling grumpy, sad, or frustrated
• Lack of energy or increased fatigue
• Reduced strength, tone, and muscle mass
• Decreased stamina, sex drive, and performance
• Decreased focus, memory, concentration, or mental sharpness

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, Hormone Replacement Therapy could be the solution for you. At PryorHealth, we have partnered with Pellecome, a solution provider for Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT). This ground-breaking therapy uses plant-based pellet implants that slowly release hormones for gradual, natural results over a three to five-month period.

“The three powerhouse hormones in your body are testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone,” says Susie Artale-Fritz, APN-BT. “We test your blood to see which hormone you’re low on – then we customize your treatment plan based on your blood levels and medical history, so there’s no guessing.”

“Once we determine the hormones you need, Pellecome sends your custom pellets to us for insertion. The Pellet goes underneath the skin and gets covered with a bandage. The entire procedure takes about 15 minutes. Six weeks after, we recheck your levels and make sure that everything is where it needs to be.”

Here’s a visual:

Susie says, “The pellets are bioidentical, which means they mimic your body so your cells can accept them. They’re also easier than taking a pill every day – you don’t have to remember anything and won’t have the ups and downs of a pill.”

“Most people feel the difference right away, but if you don’t, it’s perfectly normal to go off for a while. A lot of people notice it more after they stop treatment, that’s when you realize the major impact it was having, and you can begin again.” While anyone can benefit from hormone therapy, if you are pregnant or have a history of cancer, Susie would suggest talking to your primary doctor about other solutions.

Pellecome LLC was created by Dr. Enrique G. Jacome, a board-certified OB-GYN who wanted a better way to provide hormone balance to patients. His objective was to develop an improved, simplified method of administration and better-quality hormone pellets. This initiative aligns with the PryorHealth mission of ensuring that every patient looks and feels their best through holistic practices. Currently, we are the only provider of Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy in the Rockford area.

So let us help you! Contact our office and make an appointment!