Hormones play a crucial role in regulating many of the body's functions. When hormone levels become imbalanced, it can lead to unpleasant symptoms and health issues. Hormone therapy helps restore optimal hormone levels, alleviating deficiency symptoms and promoting better health.
Hormone imbalances can occur due to various factors. As we age, hormone production naturally declines. Other potential causes include chronic stress, poor diet, lack of sleep, and certain medical conditions. Imbalances manifest differently in men and women.
In women, falling estrogen levels during perimenopause and menopause lead to symptoms like hot flashes, sleep disturbances, vaginal dryness, and mood changes. Conditions such as endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can also impact hormone regulation.
Testosterone deficiency becomes increasingly common in aging men. Contributing factors include obesity, diabetes, injuries, infection, and medications. Low testosterone often presents with fatigue, erectile dysfunction, loss of muscle mass, and depression.
Recognizing deficiency symptoms early is key for timely treatment. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) can help alleviate unpleasant symptoms and reduce long-term health risks.
Hormone therapy aims to restore optimal hormone levels through medications and lifestyle modifications. It helps alleviate deficiency symptoms and promote better long-term health.
Approaches include:
Hormone therapy can help transgender individuals match their physical characteristics with their gender identity. Studies show that after transitioning, most report significant improvement in quality of life, social functioning, and mental health outcomes such as reduced anxiety and depression.
Comprehensive lab testing helps identify deficiencies or excesses informing treatment plans. We utilize advanced assessments including:
Repeat testing over time monitors treatment effectiveness and guides dosage adjustments.
Saliva tests also assess hormone levels. Helpful for patients preferring non-invasive testing. Checks bioavailable vs serum hormone levels.
Urine tests measure hormone metabolite levels. Assesses clearance from the body. Provides additional insight alongside blood or saliva testing.
For some female patients, pelvic ultrasounds check ovarian cysts or uterine fibroids that could disturb hormone regulation.
Accurate, regular testing combined with patient feedback optimizes treatment plans over time.
We utilize an integrative treatment approach combining bioidentical hormones, nutrient therapies, lifestyle coaching and repeat testing for comprehensive imbalance resolution and whole patient health.
The core of most plans, bioidentical hormone therapy uses hormones matching those we produce. Derived from plant compounds, tailored doses based on labs optimize treatment tolerability. Hormones like progesterone, estrogen, testosterone and DHEA help alleviate deficiency symptoms more effectively than synthetic versions.
We provide compounded BHRT preparations customized based on each patient’s labs and needs vs standardized doses. Hormone combinations, strengths, delivery methods and adjust treatment over time for maximized results.
Monitoring progress with follow up testing helps ensure hormone levels normalize, guiding dosage titrations. We lower doses gradually and discontinue hormones once no longer needed.
Estrogen and testosterone pellet implants offer another bioidentical delivery method. Time-released pellets placed under the skin provide steady hormone levels over months before needing replacement. Avoiding fluctuating levels seen with pills or gels.
Vitamins, minerals, and supplements provide the necessary cofactors helping body utilize hormones properly. We recommend therapies including:
Vitamin D - Common deficiency. Essential for hormone synthesis and cell growth regulation. Enhances mood. Needed for bone health.
B complex vitamins- Aid hormone production and balance neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine enhancing mood.
Zinc, selenium - Antioxidants reduce inflammation. Support healthy thyroid and sex hormone levels.
Omega 3s - Lower inflammation. Slow bone breakdown helping retain density longer term. Promote heart health.
Balanced meal plans and targeted supplementation give the body resources necessary to metabolize and utilize hormones optimally. Reinforcing lifestyle changes.
Diet, exercise, sleep hygiene and stress reduction enhance results since hormonal systems are so sensitive to lifestyle factors. We provide guidance to help patients:
Exercise regularly - Increases energy, relieves stress. Aids sleep. Supports muscle growth and fat loss in men with low testosterone.
Follow an anti-inflammatory diet - Limiting sugar, alcohol and refined carbs while increasing antioxidants fights inflammation disturbing hormones.
Reduce stress - Long term emotional stress disturbs neurotransmitter, thyroid, reproductive and growth hormone balance through elevated cortisol.
Optimize sleep- Quality rest sustains optimal pituitary gland function regulating thyrotropin, growth hormone, ACTH and gonadotropins.
Lifestyle optimization coaching empowers patients to take an active role further potentiating treatment benefits. Guiding sustainable changes maximizing hormonal health long term.
We retest lab levels about a month after initiating treatment, then typically every 3 months for the first year. Testing frequency later depends on the patient’sneeds. This allows modifying doses to keep hormones stabilized at ideal levels as the body changes with age.
Follow ups also evaluate treatment tolerance, check for side effects and assess lifestyle efforts like diet changes. Careful monitoring ensures customized protocols achieve treatment goals safely long term.
We lower hormone dosing gradually and discontinue use when levels normalize sustainably without supplementation.
We aim to make starting hormone balancing treatment accessible, comfortable and convenient by explaining processes clearly upfront.
Initial visits review health histories, symptoms, pertinent medical records and prior hormone levels. Desired treatment outcomes are discussed before developing customized regimens.
Blood, saliva or sometimes urine testing establishes baselines facilitating correct dosage determinations. If prior test results are unavailable, we collect samples onsite for comprehensive hormone panels.
Follow up visits (or phone/online consults) about a month later review test results, treatment tolerance, symptom changes and any medication adjustments needed. Additional lifestyle guidance is provided to reinforce improvements.
Subsequent follow ups continue monitoring progress to sustain optimal hormone levels. Testing is repeated about every 3 months initially, then 1-2 times yearly for symptom-free patients on maintenance dosing.
We simplify insurance processes by providing coded paperwork, communicating with care coordinators as needed and clarifying policies upfront. Any out of pocket fees are explained clearly before moving forward.
Convenient consult options suit varied schedules and needs. We offer weekday, weekend and evening visit slots. Phone or online telehealth visits provide accessible follow up care options when travel is difficult.
Knowledgeable, compassionate staff guide patients through each treatment phase - explaining processes, listening to concerns and promptly answering questions. We aim to provide fully transparent, easily understandable care optimizing treatment success. Please reach out with any other questions on processes or protocols!
Successfully overcoming hormone deficiencies relies on consistent, closely-monitored treatment personalized for patients' unique needs. This requires trusted practitioner-patient relationships where both parties actively participate in care.
We foster such partnerships through:
Individualized care - Customizing HRT based on clinical presentation, lab results and patient goals. Adjusting doses based on follow up feedback.
Clear communication - Using accessible language while explaining treatment options, procedures, costs and potential side effects.
Accessible team - Providing several contact options. Responding promptly to inquiries, issues or needed dosage changes.
Holistic guidance - Making lifestyle suggestions reinforcing clinical improvements. Guiding manageable changes optimizing wellbeing.
Meticulous follow-up - Monitoring labs every 3 months initially. Ensuring adequate symptom control and appropriate titrations. Discontinuing treatment when appropriate.
Discounts for testing - Providing voucher codes for necessary repeat lab testing. Helping lower out of pocket expenses.
Compassionate care - Listening attentively during visits. Showing genuine interest in patients’ progress and concerns.
We take pride helping patients address stubborn deficiencies through responsible restorative and maintenance dosing regimens. Over two decades collectively optimizing hormonal health locally cements our commitment providing Clayton area residents exemplary individualized care. Please contact us anytime to learn more about our approach or get started!
Conveniently located in the charming Clayton suburb near wooded parks and trails, our clinic provides a peaceful healing environment. The small-town community feel, fresh air and numerous shops/eateries make staying active during treatment comfortable.
Clayton's four distinct, mild seasons encourage regular outdoor exercise ideal while regulating hormones. Cooler fall and winter months with fewer insects motivate walking, jogging or cycling along wooded nature paths. Spring and summer provide warmer weather to enjoy retail therapy, relaxing pond-side picnics, or sweating out stress swimming.
Year-round recreational opportunities make maintaining lifestyle changes more practical. We help patients discover optimal outlets benefiting body and mind simultaneously. Nearby establishments we frequently recommend include:
Clayton Wellness Collective - Yoga, massage and cryotherapy facility offering patient discounts
Whole Life Nutrition Shop - Sells high quality supplements reinforcing treatment
Clayton Community Gym- Pool, weights and group fitness classes with free guest passes
Serene Skies Sleep Center - Provides sleep studies and CPAP equipment improving rest
Alongside clinical treatment, taking full advantage of Clayton’s therapeutic landscape fosters lasting hormonal balance improvements. From serene walking paths to nutritional guidance to restful sleep - our hometown has wellness covered! Please reach out with any other questions on optimizing your lifestyle while working with The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic.
Hormone issues severely impact quality of life but often go overlooked. Through patient-centered care, advanced testing and bioidentical restoration protocols, The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic strives to detect and treat imbalances early preventing long term effects.
We also provide ongoing lifestyle optimization guidance because vibrant health depends heavily on diet, activity levels, stress management and proper rest. Our goal is equipping patients to sustain positive changes beyond clinical visits.
The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic leverages decades of specialty endocrinology experience alongside the area’s natural wellness resources. Allow us to help you reclaim your healthiest, most energized self through personalized therapy in a supportive environment. Please reach out with any questions - we are fully committed to fostering trusted, fruitful treatment partnerships benefitting the whole Clayton community.
