hormone therapy southfield

Is Bioidentical Hormone Therapy the New Fountain of Youth?

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Natural Hormone Therapy: BHRT is the Key to Anti-Aging

We all wish we had the secret to turning back the clock and looking and feeling like our younger selves! So, what if we told you that a safe and natural treatment available in the Southfield, MI, MI area does offer many antiaging benefits?

Understanding the causes of aging is the first step to reversing it. As we age, our hormone levels decline – which is the underlying leading cause of the physical and mental changes that are often associated with getting older. Weight gain, low energy, sexual problems, weak bones, brain fog, loss of muscle, sleep problems, and more can all have their cause rooted in the hormone decline of menopause in women and andropause in men.

But many people don’t realize that it is possible to slow down or even reverse the aging process by addressing hormonal imbalances. Natural hormone therapy can help restore balance, improve overall health, and enhance the quality of life for both men and women.

At Prosperity Health in the Southfield, MI area, Dr. Nishath Hakim offers safe, natural hormone therapy as a powerful tool to combat many of the physical, mental, and even cosmetic signs of aging.

Hormones Decline & How It Affects Aging

As we age, our bodies undergo significant hormonal changes. In women, menopause marks a dramatic decrease in estrogen and progesterone levels, leading to symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, weight gain, painful sex, urinary incontinence, and more.

Men experience a similar phenomenon known as andropause, characterized by a gradual decline in testosterone levels. This decrease in testosterone – often called “Low T” – can lead to weight gain, muscle loss, fatigue, decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and more. Addressing these imbalances through anti-aging hormone therapy can alleviate many of these symptoms and promote a more youthful and vibrant state of health at every age and stage of life.

Why BHRT is Safe & Natural

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) utilizes plant-derived hormones that are chemically identical to those naturally produced by the human body. Unlike synthetic hormones, bioidentical hormones are derived from natural sources and are tailored to match each individual’s specific hormonal needs.

This approach ensures better compatibility with the body’s natural processes, reducing the risk of side effects and improving efficacy. BHRT is considered safe and effective for managing symptoms of hormonal decline and is a cornerstone of anti-aging medicine.

Ways Hormone Therapy Can Slow or Reverse Aging:

Hormone Therapy for Weight Gain

During menopause or andropause, individuals often experience unexplained weight gain despite maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine. In women, low estrogen levels can lead to fat accumulation around the midsection, known as visceral fat, which is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other health issues.

In men, a decline in testosterone levels can result in an imbalance of female hormones, leading to fat storage in the belly and breast areas. Hormone therapy at Prosperity Health in the Southfield, MI area can help restore estrogen and testosterone levels, aiding in weight control – as well as preserving muscle mass.

Hormone Therapy for Building Muscle

Testosterone is vital for muscle growth in men, but estrogen also plays a significant role in muscle health for women. Research from the University of Minnesota has shown that estrogen is crucial for the function of satellite cells, which are responsible for muscle regeneration.

By maintaining hormonal balance, hormone therapy at Prosperity Health in the Southfield, MI area can support muscle building and maintenance, helping men and women stay strong and fit even as they get older.

Hormone Therapy for Wrinkles

Hormone decline also takes its toll on the skin – and wrinkles and lines are often viewed as inevitable aspects of aging. However, maintaining optimal hormone balance can protect the skin and delay these signs of aging.

Female hormones like estrogen play a crucial role in the production of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, which keep the skin plump, smooth, and hydrated. But hormonal decline can cause the skin to thin, lose elasticity, and dry out, leading to sagging, lines, and wrinkles. Hormone therapy at Prosperity Health in the Southfield, MI area can stimulate the production of these essential proteins, resulting in smoother, more youthful skin.

Hormone Therapy for Concentration & Memory

Low levels of estrogen and progesterone have been clinically proven to affect cognitive functions, leading to brain fog and memory issues. Restoring these hormones through therapy can improve mental clarity and enhance memory, supporting overall brain health.

Hormone Therapy for Lack of Energy

Fatigue is a common symptom of hormonal decline in both women and men. In women, a progesterone imbalance can cause sleepiness, while men with low testosterone often experience a significant decrease in energy levels. Additionally, thyroid hormone deficiencies, which are common in aging individuals, can slow metabolism and deplete energy levels.

Safe and natural hormone therapy at Prosperity Health in the Southfield, MI area can help restore balance, ensuring that both men and women maintain their vitality and energy at every age and every stage of their life.

Hormone Therapy for Women’s Hair Loss

Hair loss has a variety of causers. But in women, hair loss can be due to menopausal hormone decline. Menopausal hair loss tends to occur gradually, resulting in overall thinning rather than distinct bald patches. This diffuse thinning can affect the entire scalp, including the front, sides, and top. Hormonal imbalance can also cause hair to come out in clumps during brushing or washing.

By balancing women’s hormones with BHRT at Prosperity Health in the Southfield, MI area, hormone therapy can help reduce hair loss and promote healthier hair growth, offering a fuller, more vibrant head of hair.

Hormone Therapy May Reduce Alzheimer’s Risk in Women

Recent research has established a link between hormone decline and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease in women. Studies have shown that hormone replacement therapy can slow biological aging, particularly in women with a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s.

By maintaining hormone levels, BHRT may help decelerate the aging process and reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease in some women, providing a significant benefit for cognitive health.

Hormone Therapy for a Better Sex Life

In men, testosterone decline due to aging (“Low T”) often brings challenges such as erectile dysfunction (ED) and a decrease in sex drive. Hormone therapy can address these issues by restoring testosterone, improving sexual function and performance and reigniting desire.

For women, hormone therapy at Prosperity Health in the Southfield, MI area can often help alleviate sexual issues, including vaginal dryness, pain during intercourse, loss of sensation, and low libido, enhancing sexual satisfaction and intimacy.

Natural Hormone Therapy (BHRT) | Southfield, MI Area

At Prosperity Health in the Southfield, MI area we offer safe and natural BHRT hormone therapy as part of a comprehensive approach to anti-aging. Hormone therapy is in many ways a medical “fountain of youth” that can help manage or reverse many of the signs of aging, addressing everything from weight gain and wrinkles to energy levels and sexual health.

Dr. Nishath Hakim at Prosperity Health in the Southfield, MI area provides personalized hormone therapy tailored to each patient’s unique needs, ensuring you only receive the hormones you need to achieve the best possible results and reverse the signs of aging. By restoring hormonal balance, Dr. Hakim in the Southfield, MI area helps patients experience a significant improvement in their overall health and well-being, with restored youthful vitality.

If you live in the greater Southfield, MI area and you would like to learn how safe and natural hormone therapy can help you turn back time, schedule a consultation with Dr. Hakim at Prosperity Health today.

Hormone Therapy | Southfield, MI Area: 248-997-4242

Treating Metabolic Syndrome: Reverse Weight Gain, Heart Disease, Diabetes & More

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Naturally Treating Metabolic Syndrome: Lose Weight Gain, Reverse Heart Disease & More

Many patients come to Prosperity Health in Royal Oak because they are facing more and more health issues as they get older – and they are finally at a place where they are ready to take their life back and live with wellness and vitality “before it’s too late.”

Weight gain, heart disease, cholesterol issues, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes – these are common health concerns that many American men and women face. But these are NOT just natural or normal effects of aging! What many people do not realize is that these seemingly unrelated conditions can often be interconnected and part of a cluster of diseases known as metabolic syndrome.

Dr. Nishath Hakim of Prosperity Health in the Royal Oak, MI area is dedicated to diagnosing and treating metabolic syndrome comprehensively, addressing not just its individual components but the underlying causes as well. She helps her patients take control of their total health – so they can prevent or reverse disease and live life to the fullest at every age.

What Is Metabolic Syndrome?

Metabolic syndrome is not a single disease but a collection of medical conditions that tend to occur together. The presence of three or more of these conditions in an individual can indicate metabolic syndrome.

Abdominal Obesity

Abdominal obesity, also known as visceral fat accumulation, is a condition characterized by an excessive build-up of fat around the belly. This condition is closely linked to metabolic syndrome and is often considered one of its central components.

The accumulation of fat in the abdominal area can lead to an increase in waist circumference and contributes to a higher risk of various health issues. Abdominal obesity is typically caused by a combination of factors, including poor dietary choices, a sedentary lifestyle, hormonal imbalances, and genetics. High levels of visceral fat are associated with insulin resistance, inflammation, and the release of harmful substances into the bloodstream, all of which contribute to the development of metabolic syndrome and its associated health risks.

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a common condition that often goes hand in hand with metabolic syndrome. It involves elevated blood pressure levels, which can strain the heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Hypertension is closely related to metabolic syndrome because several factors associated with the syndrome can contribute to high blood pressure. These factors include insulin resistance, which can impair blood vessel function, excessive abdominal fat, and hormonal imbalances that affect blood pressure regulation. The chronic inflammation associated with metabolic syndrome can also damage blood vessels, making them less flexible and more prone to constricting, which further raises blood pressure.

High Blood Sugar (Insulin Resistance) & Type 2 Diabetes

High blood sugar, often linked to insulin resistance, is a central component of metabolic syndrome and plays a pivotal role in the development of type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance occurs when the body’s cells become less responsive to the hormone insulin, which is essential for regulating blood sugar levels. As a result, the pancreas produces more insulin to compensate, leading to elevated blood sugar levels.

Over time, this can progress to pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes. The relationship between high blood sugar and metabolic syndrome is bidirectional, as each condition exacerbates the other. High blood sugar contributes to the development of metabolic syndrome, and the presence of metabolic syndrome makes it more challenging for the body to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Therefore, addressing insulin resistance is crucial in preventing both metabolic syndrome and diabetes.

High Cholesterol

High cholesterol levels, characterized by elevated triglycerides and low HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, are common features of metabolic syndrome. Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the bloodstream, and high levels can increase the risk of heart disease. Low HDL cholesterol, often referred to as “good” cholesterol, is associated with reduced cardiovascular protection.

In metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and other underlying factors lead to dyslipidemia, an abnormal lipid profile characterized by high triglycerides and low HDL cholesterol. Insulin resistance impairs the body’s ability to properly regulate lipids, resulting in increased triglyceride production and decreased HDL cholesterol clearance. These lipid abnormalities contribute to atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in the arteries, and a higher risk of heart disease and stroke.

Diagnosing Metabolic Syndrome

Dr. Hakim at Prosperity Health in Royal Oak diagnoses metabolic syndrome with a holistic “whole person” approach that involves assessing multiple factors, including waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting glucose levels, triglycerides, and HDL cholesterol levels.

Rather than just treat each individual disease separately, Dr. Hakim employs a thorough and comprehensive evaluation process to identify and confirm the presence of metabolic syndrome – so she can treat the underlying problems.

Treating and Reversing Metabolic Syndrome

Lifestyle Changes to Treat (and Reverse) Metabolic Syndrome

Addressing the underlying causes of metabolic syndrome through lifestyle changes and, in some cases, hormone therapy, can help manage hypertension and reduce the risk of heart disease, as well as reverse insulin resistance and inflammation that contributes to the development of type 2 diabetes and other life-threatening medical conditions.

The good news is that metabolic syndrome is often preventable and reversible through lifestyle modifications. Dr. Hakim will work with patients to help them adopt a holistic approach that includes:

  • Healthy Eating: Emphasizing a balanced diet rich in whole foods, lean proteins, and vegetables.
  • Regular Physical Activity: Incorporating exercise into daily routines to improve fitness levels and manage weight.
  • Stress Management: Employing stress reduction techniques to help manage cortisol levels and mitigate the effects of chronic stress.
  • Smoking Cessation: Quitting smoking, if applicable, to reduce cardiovascular risks.

Hormone Therapy to Treat & Reverse Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a complex condition with multiple contributing factors, including hormonal imbalances. Dr. Nishath Hakim at Prosperity Health in the Royal Oak, MI area recognizes the importance of addressing these underlying hormonal issues in the treatment and reversal of metabolic syndrome.

One highly effective approach Dr. Nishath Hakim employs to treat and reverse metabolic syndrome is the use of 100% natural Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) pellet therapy. BHRT involves the use of hormones that are identical in molecular structure to those naturally produced by the body.

BHRT pellet therapy helps address hormonal imbalances that can contribute to metabolic syndrome, such as insulin resistance and abnormal cortisol levels. By optimizing hormone levels, patients can experience improved metabolic function, enhanced weight management, and a reduced risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Several recent research studies have shed light on the inextricable relationship between hormonal fluctuations/decline and metabolic syndrome. These studies show that hormonal imbalances, including disruptions in insulin, cortisol, and sex hormones, can exacerbate the components of metabolic syndrome, such as insulin resistance, and high blood pressure. The research also shows that BHRT can positively influence lipid profiles, improving triglyceride levels and increasing HDL cholesterol.

BHRT pellet therapy, offered by Dr. Hakim in Royal Oak, provides a targeted and personalized solution to rebalance hormones, addressing the root causes of metabolic syndrome.  Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy is a form of hormone therapy that uses hormones identical in structure to those naturally produced by the body. This precision allows for optimized hormonal levels, which can positively impact metabolic function. For instance, in cases of insulin resistance, BHRT can help improve insulin sensitivity, promoting better blood sugar control. Moreover, hormone therapy can address cortisol imbalances, helping to manage stress and reduce its harmful effects on metabolic health.

Hormone Therapy for Metabolic Syndrome | Royal Oak, MI

At Prosperity Health, Dr. Hakim tailors her treatments to each patient’s unique needs, ensuring a personalized approach to metabolic syndrome treatment. By addressing both the lifestyle issues and the hormonal imbalances associated with metabolic syndrome, she offers a promising avenue to not only manage but potentially reverse this complex condition.

Dr. Hakim’s commitment is to holistic and effective treatments that promote overall health and well-being for her patients in the Royal Oak, MI area – helping patients regain their health and vitality, and reducing the risks associated with the complex cluster of metabolic syndrome diseases.

Metabolic Syndrome | Royal Oak, MI: 248-997-4242

Mental Health Benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy

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Hormone Replacement Therapy Offers Benefits for Mental Health

Menopause is notorious for causing “mood swings” in women. But recent clinical research has also determined that menopause can worsen or cause a relapse of mental health problems that existed before menopause.

Fortunately, women do not have to suffer with many of the debilitating side-effects of menopause anymore, thanks to advancements in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT).  Prosperity Health in Royal Oak, MI is proud to be a provider of 100% natural BioTe BHRT pellets that are safer, more effective, and more convenient than previous methods of hormone therapy.

One aspect of menopause that bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can help dramatically is women’s mental health. This is wonderful news for menopausal women for many reasons. While psychiatric medications can indeed help relieve symptoms of depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and many other mental illnesses, these strong drugs often have unpleasant, dangerous, long-term side-effects.

However, physicians are increasingly recognizing that restoring women’s hormone balance with BHRT during menopause can naturally improve mental health –   even sometimes eliminating the need for psychiatric meds – without side effects.

Menopause Mental Health & Hormone Replacement Therapy

Endocrinology is the study of hormones and how they affect all of the systems of the body. And, of course, psychiatrists and neurologists are doctors who study and treat disorders of the brain. In recent years, scientists have combined these three medical disciplines into a field called “psycho-neuroendocrinology” – which is the study of the role that hormones play in regulating mental health.

Scientists and doctors in this exciting field of medicine have discovered that by balancing certain hormones, hormone replacement therapy can offer a natural approach to improving mental health. In other words, by regulating and restoring balance to the hormones that affect the brain, HRT can assist in returning the brain and mind to optimal functioning in many cases.

Menopause Hormone Replacement Therapy for Depression

Scientists have long known that there is a link between depression and menopause. And research has shown that female patients with a history of clinical depression and/or anxiety are more likely to experience a relapse or worsening of clinical depression or anxiety during menopause.

Studies show that a significant number of females – about 18% who are in early perimenopause and 38% who are in late perimenopause – will experience symptoms of depression.1 Recent medical studies have also suggested that females who had severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) when they were younger, and/or those who experienced postpartum depression, often have more severe mood swings during perimenopause.

But clinical research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Psychiatry2 found that hormone replacement therapy reduced the risk of menopause during depression by almost half. After receiving HRT for a year, 32% of the perimenopausal female patients treated with a placebo experienced clinically significant depression, while only 17% of the women in the study treated with hormone replacement therapy experienced serious symptoms of depression.

So, while menopause itself does not cause psychological disorders, the hormonal declines and imbalances of perimenopause and menopause can aggravate or put a woman at higher risk of a relapse of many mental health disorders. And research shows that rebalancing these declining hormones with HRT can help alleviate this risk of relapse.

Menopause Hormone Replacement Therapy for Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder (previously called manic depression) is a mental illness that causes extreme mood swings, characterized by emotional highs (mania) and lows (depression, hopelessness, loss of interest in life). And menopause has also been shown in clinical studies to increase symptoms of bipolar disorder.

During menopause, women who are afflicted with bipolar disorder report significantly more depressive episodes. Researchers believe that this is probably directly attributable to the decrease in the hormone estrogen, which happens to all women during menopause as they reach the end of their reproductive years.  Research studies have revealed that women with bipolar disorder are likely more sensitive to hormonal shifts during menopause.

Menopause Hormone Replacement Therapy for Schizophrenia

Psychotic disorders refer to those severe mental conditions that cause abnormal thinking and perceptions – including delusions, paranoia, hallucinations, and losing touch with reality. Medical research has also shown that a decline in estrogen levels during menopause can also trigger or exacerbate some psychotic conditions, including schizophrenia.

It is interesting to note that schizophrenia typically manifests during young adulthood, but there is also often a second surge of schizophrenia in women during menopause. And, somewhat less frequently, perimenopause (the period leading up to menopause) may also significantly increase the risk of an initial onset of schizophrenic psychosis.

Psychiatrist have long known that female patients with pre-existing chronic schizophrenia often undergo a deterioration of their mental state and frequently exhibit a greater demand for psychiatric medications during menopause.

Hormone Replacement Therapy for Reducing Alzheimer’s Risk

Recent trailblazing research has also found a link between hormone decline and Alzheimer’s disease in women (but not in men). Researchers discovered that accelerated biological aging is often associated with females who have a certain genetic Alzheimer’s risk factor – but that hormone replacement therapy, seems to slow down this aging, and in the process also decelerates the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

This groundbreaking research provides important evidence of the crucial role hormones play in mental functioning. By determining that estrogen therapy slows aging and lowers the risk of Alzheimer’s disease in women with certain genetic predispositions, physicians may be able to stave off cognitive decline with hormone replacement therapy in some patients.

Menopause Hormone Replacement Therapy for Better Mental Health

Hormones help regulate every function of a woman’s body – including the functioning of the brain. And yet, the hormone decline of menopause is an unavoidable fact of life. As she reaches the end of her reproductive cycles, every woman will experience declining, imbalanced, or insufficient hormone levels.

And, in addition to the hot flashes, night sweats, and decreased libido of menopause, many female patients with preexisting mental illness may find their psychiatric symptoms worsening. But while the potential role of hormone replacement therapy in treating mental conditions during menopause still being explored, the prospects appear very promising.

In many cases, restoring balance to the body through hormone replacement therapy may prove to be more effective – with fewer side effects – than harsh psychiatric medications with dangerous or unpleasant reactions.

Hormone Replacement Therapy | Royal Oak

Prosperity Health in Royal Oak, MI offers BioTe® hormone replacement pellets that can help restore your body and mind to optimal balance – with NO daily pills, NO painful weekly shots, and NO messy creams. A single pellet insertion can last several months. And because BioTe utilizes bioidentical hormones it is safer, more effective, and more natural than lab-created synthetics, with fewer side-effects and risks.

If you are menopausal or perimenopausal woman in the Royal Oak are who is experiencing mood swings, “brain fog,” memory loss, trouble concentrating, or an increase in psychiatric symptoms, schedule a consultation at Prosperity Health today!

Royal Oak Hormone Replacement Therapy: 248.997.4242

1 As Menopause Nears, Be Aware It Can Trigger Depression and Anxiety, too; NPR.com. January 16, 2020.

2 Transdermal estradiol shows promise in treating and preventing perimenopausal depression; JAMA Psychiatry, online. Susan Girdler, Ph.D., Hadine Joffe, M.D., et. Al.; Jan. 10, 2018.

 

DISCLAIMER: This article is provided as general information only and is not intended to be used as medical advice. The benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are well documented through clinical research. However, Prosperity Health is not representing that hormone replacement therapy is a treatment or cure for any disease. Nor is HRT right for every patient. Only your physician can determine if hormone replacement therapy may be an appropriate part of your personal healthcare plan, based on your age, overall health, risk factors, and lifestyle.

Is Hormone Replacement Therapy Safe?

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Recent Research Shows Hormone Replacement Therapy is Safe

Many people are afraid of hormone replacement therapy based on a wealth of bad and outdated information about HRT that they find online. But we all know that you can’t trust everything you read online, right? Most of the misinformation about hormone replacement therapy can be traced back to a single, very old, flawed report that was conducted decades ago in the early days of HRT.

Of course, the media had a field day with the data in this sensational study – as they always do – leading to an unjustified fear of hormone therapy. As result, many female patients – and even many “traditional” doctors who have not keep up with the latest research – are misinformed about the recent research on the safety of hormone replacement therapy.

So, if there is untrue info on the Internet about HRT, who does one believe? As always, patients should look at recent scientific research conducted by reputable medical organizations. In this article, the hormone replacement therapy experts at Prosperity Health in Royal Oak, MI review this research to help set the record straight about the safety of modern HRT modalities.

How Hormone Replacement Therapy Got a Bad Reputation

An excellent article published in the National Library of Medicine / National Institutes of Health explains that the first clinical studies on hormone replacement therapy were conducted in America decades ago in the late 1990s. In 2002 these studies were summarized in the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), which wrongly claimed that hormone replacement therapy had more detrimental effects than benefits.

Of course, the media jumped on this with wide spread negatively publicity at the time, and unfortunately the once very popular use of hormone replacement therapy dropped off significantly.

However, in subsequent years, scientists re-analyzed the clinical data and newer research was performed. And this information clearly shows that use of HRT in younger women or in early postmenopausal women has beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system, reducing heart disease in addition to lowering women’s death rate from all causes.

However, the damage had already been done by the sensational media coverage – and hormone replacement therapy was saddled with a dangerous reputation that many misinformed patients and doctors still erroneously believe in the present day!

Why New Hormone Replacement Therapy is Safe

Originally, hormone replacement therapy was manufactured using synthetic hormones that were created in a lab. However, anything that is as molecularly complex as human hormones simply cannot be identically duplicated in a laboratory. In recent years, though, the use of bioidentical hormones – derived from 100% natural plant sources – have changed the HRT game completely.

While, unfortunately, some less-up-to-date physicians still prescribe synthetic hormones – modern, holistic experts, like those at Prosperity Health in Royal Oak, MI, offer safe and natural bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) replicates the molecular structure of the hormones produced by the body exactly, because they are naturally derived.  This makes them much more effective than synthetics. And they are also safer than synthetics. In fact, BHRT is free of many of the dangerous side effects of lab created hormones.

Research on the Safety of Hormone Replacement Therapy

Medical research studies on the safety and the benefits of hormone replacement therapy are continually being conducted. And a continuously growing body of scientific evidence has revealed that bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is safe for use to alleviate the symptoms of menopause, and to help prevent many life-threatening diseases in women and men.

Recent research has shown that BHRT not only helps improve mood, energy, sex drive and sexual enjoyment, but can also help women and men reduce the risk of osteoporosis, cardiac disease, type 2 diabetes, and death from all causes.

Hormone Replacement Therapy Safety in Women

The studies from the late 1990s reported that estrogen supplements, when used alone, were associated with a higher risk of developing endometrial cancer. However, according to the report we mentioned above (published in the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health) research has shown that by reducing the dosage of estrogen  while combining it with progesterone can actually reduce the risk of endometrial cancer.

In a recent WebMD article, Dr. Shelley R. Salpeter, professor of medicine at Stanford School of Medicine is quoted as saying: “We have evidence that hormone replacement therapy can prevent heart disease, hip fractures, and osteoporosis, and that it cuts the risk of developing diabetes by 30% in younger women.”

That article further reports that Doctor Salpeter and her associates found that hormone replacement therapy reduced heart attacks and cardiac deaths by an astounding 32% in women who were aged 60 or younger, and/or those who had been through menopause less than 10 years ago. In older female patients, HRT showed some correlation to an increase in cardiac events in the first year, but then began to reduce the risks of heart problems again after two years.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also recommends that HRT can be used to safely treat women who have severe menopausal symptoms. And, the renowned experts at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, The North American Menopause Society, and The Endocrine Society have all unequivocally stated that most healthy, menopausal women can safely use estrogen replacement therapy for the prevention of life-threatening bone-fractures due to the bone loss of osteoporosis.

Hormone Replacement Therapy Safety in Men

While hormone replacement therapy is often associated with women because of its menopausal benefits, BHRT can significantly improve health and quality of life for men, as well. Clinical evidence delivered at the 2008 annual meeting of The Endocrine Society reported that testosterone replacement therapy can help men reduce their risks of metabolic syndrome, heart attack, cardiac disease, type 2 diabetes, and death from all causes.

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of medical conditions that includes high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the belly, and elevated cholesterol levels. It increases a person’s risk for heart attack, stroke, and developing type 2 diabetes. According to two notable medical research studies, presented by the director of scientific affairs for Bayer Schering Pharma in Berlin, “Low T” levels in male patients were found to be associated with metabolic syndrome. However, the studies revealed that male patients who were given testosterone replacement therapy significantly reduced their risk factors for metabolic syndrome.

Male patients in the study who were given testosterone placement saw their “bad” cholesterol (LDL/ triglycerides) reduced by 1/3rd to 1/4th, while their “good” HDL cholesterol improved. The men treated with HRT also saw their body mass index decrease and they especially lost their belly fat, generally losing three or four inches off their waist and going down by 2 or 3 pant sizes.

According to research presented by the Institute for Community Medicine at Ernst-Moritz-Arndt University in Greifswald, Germany, replacing deficient testosterone levels in men can also reduce the overall risk of death. That impressive study followed 2,000 men (between the ages of 20 to 79 years old) for a full seven years. The resulting data revealed that the men with low testosterone had a more than twofold higher risk of death than men who achieved normal testosterone levels either naturally or through the administration of testosterone replacement therapy.

We would say that reducing the risk of death by more than half in a seven-year study, is certainly evidence that BHRT is not only safe but wise for men suffering from “Low T”!

 Hormone Replacement Therapy | Royal Oak

For the right patients, at the right age, BHRT can be a safe, effective, and natural path to improved mental, physical, and sexual health. The most important step in understanding if hormone replacement therapy is right and safe for you is to talk to a physician like Dr. Hakim in Royal Oak, who is trained and specialized in modern bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.

Dr. Hakim at Prosperity Health in Royal Oak can determine if HRT may be a safe and beneficial part of your individualized healthcare plan, based on comprehensive blood work, your age, lifestyle, overall health, and any risk factors you may have. She offers BioTe bioidentical hormone replacement pellets for the safest, most consistent, 100% natural, and easiest-to-use form of hormone replacement. There are NO daily pills, messy creams or painful shots – and a single, in-office, time-released pellet insertion provides relief from menopause symptoms and protection from disease for 3 to 6 months!

If you live in the greater Royal Oak area, schedule a hormone replacement therapy consultation at Prosperity Health to see if BioTe BHRT is right for you!

Royal Oak Hormone Replacement Therapy Consultation: 248.997.4242

 

DISCLAIMER: This article is provided as general information only and is not intended to be used as medical advice. The benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are well documented through clinical research. However, Prosperity Health is not representing that hormone replacement therapy is a treatment or cure for any disease. Nor is HRT right for every patient. Only your physician can determine if hormone replacement therapy may be an appropriate part of your personal healthcare plan, based on your age, overall health, risk factors, and lifestyle.

In a Weight Loss Rut? It Could be Your Hormones!

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How Hormone Replacement Therapy Can Help Weight Loss – 

Many men and women find that as they get older they gain weight – even though their diet or activity level hasn’t changed. For other people, their weight may stay the same but now they find fat or weight in different places – especially around the belly. One reason this happens is that a person’s hormone levels change or drop as they age.

The good news is that hormone level testing, and safe, 100% natural hormone replacement can help bring an individual’s body back in balance so that they can more easily lose those extra pounds – and even take it off from their midsection!

In this article Bloomfield Hills bioidentical hormone expert Dr. Nishath Hakim explains how hormone imbalance can cause weight gain in women and men – and how rebalancing your missing hormones may be able to help you lose weight and reduce stubborn belly fat.

Women’s Hormones & Weight Loss

As a women’s reproductive years draw to a close, she enters menopause. Her menstrual cycles stop – and her production of female hormones such as estrogen drops substantially.  This hormone decline can cause a wide variety of symptoms – from hot flashes, to mood swings, and more. But perhaps the most frustrating side-effect of menopause is weight gain.

Fortunately, the annoying hot flashes and mood swings will eventually subside. But, unfortunately, the unwanted weight gain and accompanying belly fat of menopause often last for the rest of a woman’s life – no matter how much she diets or exercises.

The reason for this is that a woman’s levels of estrogen and testosterone help determine how the body burns energy or “calories”, as well as how and where the body stores fat. So, decreased levels of estrogen slow down a woman’s “metabolism” – which is the rate at which her body burns energy (calories).

As a result, even if she eats the same amount of food – and engages in the same amount of exercise – that she did before menopause, she simply doesn’t burn as many calories as she did when she was younger. And the body then stores the unused calories as fat – and especially as belly fat.

To complicate weight loss after menopause even further, estrogen is responsible for helping the body break down fat. So, as estrogen levels decline during and after menopause, the body can’t break down fat as well – further encouraging weight gain. Additionally, if a woman’s estrogen and testosterone levels get too far out of balance and there is an excess of male hormones (“androgens”) it can also increase her risk of obesity.

Finally, to add to the problem of female weight gain as she ages, a woman’s levels of the hormone leptin also drop after menopause. And since leptin is the hormone that tells the brain to feel “full” after eating, menopausal women actually do feel hungrier, which can lead eating more calories in order to feel “full.”

Men’s Hormones & Weight Loss

Many people do not realize that men also experience a type of “male menopause” called andropause. After the age of 30 men’s hormones also decline in production. If testosterone levels drop too, much the condition is sometimes referred to as “Low T.” Many men realize that lowered testosterone levels can lead to sexual performance problems and loss of libido. But low testosterone levels also make a man’s body less effective at building muscle and burning energy (calories) – which results in weight gain.

Additionally, when a man’s estrogen and testosterone levels become out of balance, a man’s body is more likely to store unwanted fat on belly and in some cases even the breasts (so-called “man boobs”). Low T levels in men can also cause loss of energy and fatigue, which makes them less active, also contributing to weight gain.

Changes in levels of the “stress hormone” cortisol can also cause weight gain by putting the body into a “survival mode” where it slows down metabolism – and packs on fat – in order to store energy for later use. And lowered levels of the growth hormone HGH, as well as decreased levels of thyroid hormones, can also cause a man’s metabolism to slow down with age.

How Hormone Replacement Helps Weight Loss

Hormone decline is why so many men universally start to develop softer “dad bods”, and why so many women start collecting extra weight and fat around their middle, as they pass the age of 40.

And while weight gain can lower a person’s self-esteem, is not just an aesthetic issue! Increased levels of body fat – especially around the middle – can substantially increase a man or woman’s risk for almost every major chronic disease, including: high blood pressure, heart disease, Type 2 Diabetes, stroke, and even cancer.

Clearly, reducing calorie intake and increasing exercise is a healthy component of any weight loss plan. But when diet and working-out are simply not enough to lose unwanted fat, balancing and/or replacing a person’s declining or missing hormones can help provide the key to shedding pounds and inches.

Dr. Hakim is a biodentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) expert at Prosperity Health in Bloomfield Hills, MI.  She can conduct thorough and comprehensive blood testing to identify your unique hormone levels and deficiencies. Then she will prescribe individualized hormone replacement therapy that is formulated and compounded in the exact doses that are needed to restore your hormone levels to perfect balance.

At Prosperity Health in Bloomfield Hills, we offer 100% natural, safe, bioidentical hormone replacements that are safer and more effective than synthetic lab-created hormones – to rebalance hormone levels and support weight loss after menopause or andropause.

In addition to being custom formulated for each patient, BioTe® hormone replacement offers the advantage of being administered via tiny, time-released pellets that can last up to six months with a single subdermal insertion. So, there are no daily pills to remember, no painful hormone shots, no patches to fall off and replace every few days, and no messy creams to apply!

Additionally, the time-released hormone pellets deliver bioidentical estrogen and testosterone consistently and evenly 24/7 as the body needs them – so there is not the roller coaster effect of pills and injections.

Hormone Replacement for Weight Loss | Bloomfield Hills

If you are a man or women who is frustrated by your inability to lose weight as you get older, it may be time to consider that declining or imbalanced hormone levels may be part of the problem!

In many cases, bioidentical hormone replacement can help return your metabolism to what it was you were young, so you can burn calories more easily and lose weight and body fat. BHRT can also help increase your energy and reduce fatigue, so you can continue to be as active as you ever were – helping you naturally lose weight!

If you live in the Bloomfield Hills area and are discouraged by the weight gain of female or male menopause, schedule a hormone replacement therapy consultation at Prosperity Health today – and let Dr. Hakim help you get your body back!

Hormone Replacement Weight Loss Consultation | Bloomfield Hills: 248.997.4242