Marsha Gorens, M.D. offers men and women customized Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy plans that can help them to look and feel more youthful and healthy. Successfully treating a vast number of patients with Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy, Dr. Gorens’ expert plans take each patient’s deficiencies and imbalances into account, and she may replace several different hormones in order to help patients regain their health. As a Chicago Illinois Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy Doctor, Marsha Gorens, M.D. is happy to answer any questions that patients may have in regards to Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy. Below are several frequently asked questions relating to Bioidentical Hormone Therapy.

What forms of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy are available?

Currently, Dr. Marsha Gorens offers Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy in the form of pellets. Bioidentical Hormones can also be delivered in the forms of oral medications or suppositories. A hormone replacement specialist considers the patient’s other health issues before recommending a specific approach. For example, people with high cholesterol tend to do better with the patch but worse with oral medications. Because people with sensitive skin may have an adverse reaction to the patch, another method is usually preferred. If one method is not tolerated well, the patient can always switch to another method.

What testing do I need to determine if Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy is right for me?

This depends on the patient’s gender and the types of symptoms he or she is currently experiencing. For women, most doctors choose to test hormone levels by collecting a blood sample or by conducting a follicle stimulating hormone test. For this test, a doctor collects a blood sample three times in 60-minute intervals beginning at a specific time. Performing simple blood tests on male patients can determine current testosterone levels.

What symptoms can be alleviated with Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Both men and women commonly report low sex drive, hot flashes and night sweats, weight gain, mood swings, and fatigue. Problems that affect men alone include loss of muscle tone, erectile dysfunction, low sperm counts, and loss of body hair. Women frequently complain of vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, and worsening issues with premenstrual syndrome. This is just a small sample of the dozens of symptoms that either gender may experience as a result of imbalanced or low hormone levels.

What age groups benefit most from Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Women tend to experience problems with hormone imbalance when they start perimenopause, which happens several years before actual menopause. This could be anywhere from the mid 30s to the early 50s. Men’s bodies start producing less testosterone around the age of 30, but the effects are often not felt until around age 40. In either case, people who are at or near middle age usually benefit from Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy treatments the most.

What is the difference between Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy and other synthetic hormone options available?

Bioidentical hormones are an exact replication of the hormones naturally produced by the body in terms of cell and chemical structure. They are derived from plant extracts and manufactured by a compounding pharmacy to be of maximum benefit to the patient. Synthetic hormones, on the other hand, are altered and replaced with unnatural chemical ingredients. Medical studies conducted in Europe over the past decade indicate that Bioidentical Hormones are safer overall than synthetic ones.

What types of hormones are offered with Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Every patient receives the appropriate hormone replacement for his or her gender. The most common types of hormones given by oral medication, or suppository include estrone, estradiol, progesterone, thyroid hormone, and testosterone. Doctor Marsha Gorens, a Chicago Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy Doctor decides on the specific hormones to use in replacement therapy based on the result of the patient’s hormone tests and self-reported complications of hormone imbalance.

Can Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy help alleviate menopause symptoms?

Yes. By the time a woman has completed menopause, her body stops producing estrogen altogether. Prior to that, the reduced production of estrogen can cause a wide range of symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, and weight gain. By replacing what the body has lost, balance is restored and the symptoms are greatly reduced or even eliminated.

Marsha Gorens, M.D. has helped countless men and women to safely and effectively get the most out of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy to reduce the physical and mental signs of aging and hormonal decline. Her expert programs are suited to meet unique needs and have helped many women and men to regain their quality of life.

To learn answers to more questions about Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy, contact Chicago Illinois Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy Doctor, Marsha Gorens, M.D. today to schedule a consultation!