We know that as we age, hormone levels drop — and the impact can hit in unexpected ways.
“In women, bone density levels begin to drop in their 20s,” says Gary Donovitz, M.D., founder and CEO of BioTE Medical. “One-in-seven women are going to develop osteoporosis after the age of 50.”
A dip in hormone levels can also increase the risk for heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Fortunately, aging patients do have options.
Personalized therapy options
“Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, or BHRT, is made up of the same hormones as the ones made in your body,” Donovitz says. Plant-derived hormones, as opposed to those that are synthetic or animal-derived, are the key to positive results. “While synthetic hormones can have an adverse effect on breast tissue, bioidentical hormones can protect a patient from breast cancer,” Donovitz explains, noting studies show a 60 to 70 percent reduction in breast cancer.
Hormone pellet therapy also provides an easy way for patients to optimize their hormones. A small pellet is simply placed under the skin. “There’s not the rollercoaster hormonal effect you have with creams and patches,” says Donovitz. “This is individualized therapy. It’s not one-size-fits-all.”