About BHRT
At certain turning points in your life, you will experience hormone fluctuations (puberty, young adulthood, adulthood, perimenopause, menopause and andropause). As a natural, normal shift in your hormones happen, you may feel a little more sensitive to the rise and fall of these chemical messengers. Have you felt like you have had a recent shift in your hormone levels? This may be why you have not felt like yourself recently or suspect something is “off” in your body that you can’t put your finger on the cause. At Shumway Cosmetic Surgery, we understand that on some days, you may wake up feeling tired, depressed, or edgy. Dr. Robert A. Shumway would like you to consider having your hormone levels analyzed at his practice in San Diego, CA. Not only is he a cosmetic surgeon with special skills in skin rejuvenation, but Dr. Shumway is also highly trained in bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) because he believes that you should not only “look as young as you feel but feel as young as you look.”
Dr. Shumway does his best to help each patient customize a treatment for their unbalanced hormones, presenting symptoms, and illnesses that arise because of unstable hormones in the body. He can also take a proactive approach to your health when hormones rise and fall to avoid unpleasant symptoms. BHRT can optimize hormone levels for more vitality, energy, and a better quality of life. Contact us to learn more.
Common Hormones
- DHEA Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone manufactured by your adrenal glands and your brain, then leads the way to the production of testosterone and estrogen. Most people’s DHEA levels begin to decline after age 30. Pharmaceutical-grade DHEA supplements have been shown to help with obesity, depression, adrenal insufficiency, Alzheimer’s disease, Crohn’s disease, and lupus. Some physicians have prescribed DHEA to treat sexual dysfunction in men and women and improve symptoms associated with osteoporosis.
- Estrogen Did you know that men need estrogen, too? Estrogen is one of several hormones that women possess in abundance; however, men need it, too. Low estrogen can cause excess belly fat and a decrease in sex drive for men. Men with high levels of estrogen may experience infertility and female characteristics. Low estrogen levels in women can cause hot flashes, problematic sleeping, weakened or no sexual desire, mood swings, osteoporosis, and dry skin. High levels of estrogen in women can result in weight gain, uterine fibroids, loss of sex drive, and feelings of depression or anxiety.
- Melatonin When you are healthy and get enough sleep, the hormone melatonin is produced in a rhythmic cycle: more at night and less during the day. The bloodstream carries it to different parts of the body, where receptors pick up the sleep signal. Overall, melatonin levels decline throughout your life, and low levels can make it difficult to sleep. Supplementing with melatonin can get you a better night’s rest.
- Progesterone Women with low levels of progesterone have abnormal menstrual cycles and may have trouble conceiving. Women with low progesterone (who do conceive) are at a higher risk for miscarriage or pre-term delivery. What’s more, low progesterone levels can cause estrogen levels to skyrocket, which can decrease sex drive, result in loss of sleep, contribute to weight gain, or cause gallbladder problems.
- Testosterone Testosterone is generally considered a male hormone, but it is important for women as well. A low testosterone level in women can affect the libido and muscle strength. Too much testosterone for women may cause irregular periods, body hair, high blood pressure, infertility, and weight gain. Low testosterone levels in men are linked to low energy, depression, low libido, erectile dysfunction, obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
- Thyroid Your thyroid hormone plays a much larger role in your health than you may realize as it is a regulator of your metabolism. When you don’t have enough thyroid hormone (hypothyroid), you may feel tired or cold, have a very sluggish metabolism, have constipation, and inexplicable weight gain. An overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) can leave you feeling nervous, irritable, unable to properly focus, have trouble sleeping, and encounter an unwanted weight loss.
Reviews
BHRT – Ideal Candidates
- Low energy
- Loss of muscle
- Unbalanced or erratic moods
- Inadequate sleep or insomnia
- Loose, hanging skin
- Infertility
- Libido shifts
- Weight fluctuations
- Hot flashes
- Various degrees of erectile dysfunction for men
- Lack of vaginal lubrication for women
- Hair loss
- Brittle bones, hair, and/or nails
BHRT – Treatment Options
BHRT for Women
- Estrogen As one of the most vital hormones in a woman’s body, estrogen levels need to be just right for good health. If not, a woman with low estrogen can have issues with her teeth, vision, heart, colon, bones, reproductive system, central nervous system, and so much more. Postponing treatment for low estrogen will progressively make all symptoms worse as health declines and may even cause premature death. Not every woman will have the same symptoms or severity level of the issues. There may be times of the month that mood improves, the pain eases in the joints, and the complexion of the skin looks a little better. However, it is not enough to prevent the life-threatening diseases and conditions that low estrogen can bring. Estrogen naturally fluctuates for women, especially women with a menstrual cycle or in a premenopausal stage of life. In the first week of menses, estrogen may rise enough to elevate some symptoms briefly. However, once estrogen plunges to a below-average level again, a woman’s mood and overall health worsen. Low estrogen can bring on the development of heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, loose skin, tooth and bone loss, and much more.
- Testosterone Even though it is a male hormone (an androgen), the production of testosterone is required for women to live happy, healthy lives. Testosterone is produced by a woman’s ovaries and adrenal glands. It is in charge of several components in her mental and physical health. This hormone contributes to libido, bone health, muscle building, mental focus, and clarity. Dr. Shumway will test female patients for low testosterone when they report symptoms, like sleepiness or not sleeping, no interest in sex, depression, lack of focus, moodiness, and problems with putting on muscle mass no matter how much time is spent at the gym — only to put on fat weight. The lack of this hormone can weaken the brain, muscles, heart, bones, and metabolism if it is not renewed. Estrogen also needs testosterone to keep it in check for serotonin production to stabilize moods, to delay rapid muscle atrophy, to prevent early development of osteoporosis or joint pain, and much more.
BHRT for Men
- Weight gain and sluggish metabolism
- Poor quality of sleep or insomnia
- Feeling tired all of the time (even with sleep)
- Moodiness
- Lack of concentration or focus
- Hair loss
- Sexual dysfunction
- No sex drive
- Fertility issues
BHRT – What to Expect
BHRT – FAQ’s
How do I know if BHRT is appropriate for me? You are right to ask this question because BHRT is not always right for every patient. Yes, it can be life-changing in improving symptoms, but hormone levels need to be closely monitored on a regular basis to make sure you are getting the accurate dosage. This means that as long as you are taking a BHRT, you will need your hormone levels checked frequently. Your hormones can fluctuate and cause an imbalance in your body, even while you are on medication or other therapies. You may also have symptoms of another underlying condition.
How do you diagnose a hormone imbalance? Generally, you will go through a physical exam, a consultation, and a review of your current health conditions, medications, symptoms, and family medical history. Then, the diagnostic process for hormonal imbalances is a blood draw that studies the hormone levels in the body that corresponds with your symptoms.
How long does it take for BHRT to work? We will explain in your initial consultation that every patient we see for BHRT will have their own treatment process, prescriptions, and protocols for applying the medications for optimal outcomes. Many of our patients at SCS will see and feel results within a few weeks as symptoms are relieved. Dr. Shumway truly understands that looking young is indeed wonderful, but feeling young and full of vitality is amazing.
2 BHRT Videos
Feel More Like Yourself Again
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