Hormone Replacement Therapy – when you’re ready to feel like yourself again
Balance your hormones. Change your life.
The goal of hormone optimization is to assess your hormone levels to determine if they are imbalanced or low. We then develop a plan to replace and balance your hormones. Hormone levels deplete with aging and cause low energy, weight gain, mood swings, and low sex drive. Hormone replacement therapy relieves the symptoms almost immediately so you can live better.
When do I need hormone replacement therapy?
When do I need hormone replacement therapy?
Hormone levels often drop in both men and women in the 30s. By the mid 40s many find themselves navigating brain fog, loss of muscle mass, a lagging libido, and an overall feeling of “blah” from the decline of critical hormones including estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone (yes, women need testosterone, too!)
Women in menopause or peri-menopause weather a rollercoaster of hot flashes, vaginal dryness, weight gain, brain fog and dry, thinning skin; while men after 40 notice a significant drop in their vitality, including declining muscle mass, decreased sexual function, and disrupted sleep.
At RegenCen, we recommend hormone testing any time our patients are experiencing the symptoms associated with hormonal imbalances or depletions. With a simple blood draw, we can assess all of your sex hormones and thyroid.
Even though aging is inevitable, the physical and mental changes that come with it don’t have to feel so disruptive thanks to advancements in hormone replacement therapy. Our RegenCen providers are here to help you optimize your hormone levels so you can feel like yourself again-at any age.
Hormone Replacement Therapy
You CAN feel good as you age with hormonal optimization.
You don’t have to continue sliding downhill. If you’re not feeling like yourself, it’s not just you, or your lack of willpower or discipline.
Hormones influence almost everything. As they decline and change with age, the way you feel in your body changes, too. Don’t keep on living like a shadow of your former self – orgasms can be easy again and your skin, hair, and energy do bounce back.
Bioidentical hormones alleviate symptoms caused by decreased hormone production. But they don’t just help you feel better – hormones also have protective effects that impact longevity and overall health, including bone density, memory, balance, and heart health.
And getting started is easy – just set up a consultation in our Petoskey, Traverse City, or Naples regenerative health clinic, RegenCen.
The benefits of testosterone replacement.
Testosterone is essential for optimal functioning in both men AND women. That’s right, women need optimal levels of testosterone, too!
The production of testosterone declines as we age, leaving men and women with less vitality than when they were younger. With replacement of T to optimal levels, men and women report an increased sense of health and well-being, decreased fat, increased muscle mass, increased exercise tolerance, improved cognition and memory, better sexual function, improved skin tone, and many other rave-worthy benefits.
The biggest benefit for many people (both men and women) seems to be energy – it’s like being a younger, more energized version of yourself.
Learn more about testosterone replacement for men here.
Estrogen & progesterone replacement benefits.
During peri-menopause (the decade that surrounds menopause) and after menopause, estrogen levels plummet. The initial symptoms of menopause are usually night sweats, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood disorders, weight gain and decreased sexual function. The long-term consequences are decreased bone mineral density or osteoporosis, increased body weight and increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Yes! Hormone replacement therapy decreases your risk of Alzheimer’s. So even if the annoying hot flashes and insomnia go away, you should still consider hormone replacement therapy for the long-term benefits.
Progesterone is used in conjunction with estrogen therapy and improves the quality of sleep and enhance memory and cognition.
Life is good when hormones are balanced – we can help! Learn more about hormone replacement therapy for women here.
What is the process of placing the pellets like?
The BioTE pellet placement process is relatively easy and takes only about 15 minutes.
The BioTE procedure is a straightforward process that involves the insertion of a BioTE pellet under the skin near the buttocks. Prior to insertion, a mild local anesthetic is used to numb the area, and the pellet is then inserted, with a small bandage applied to cover the insertion site.
The entire process typically takes just 15 minutes, with minimal downtime required for recovery. Although it is common to experience slight swelling and redness at the insertion site for a few days, these symptoms should not persist for long. Following the procedure, it is recommended to avoid strenuous activities for a few days, especially those that involve the lower body, to prevent any soreness in the insertion area.
It is also advisable to avoid baths and swimming, but showering is fine. Once the bandage is removed, you can resume your normal daily activities without any restrictions.
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormone Replacement Therapy Frequently Asked Questions
The goal of hormone optimization is to check if hormone levels in the body are below their optimal threshold. If so, then to develop a treatment plan to improve hormone function. Both sex hormones and thyroid should be optimized. Hormone replacement therapy could be an option if your body isn’t producing hormones like it should.
Looking for “hormone pellets near me”? We know - it’s hard to find in pellets in northern Michigan and southWest Florida! RegenCen medical clinic offers hormone replacement with Biote testosterone pellets in Traverse City, Petoskey, and Naples for men and women. RegenCen medical clinic also offers Biote estrogen pellets in our offices in Petoskey and Traverse City, Michigan and Naples, Florida. The slow hormonal release from hormonal pellets offers the most consistent dosing of testosterone and estrogen.
Biologically identical hormones have the same chemical structure as the hormones produced by our own bodies. This makes the use of bioidentical hormones significantly safer than the use of oral synthetic hormones.
Testosterone is essential for optimal functioning in both men AND women. Women are often surprised when we tell them they need optimal levels of testosterone, too!
The production of testosterone declines as we age, leaving men and women with less vitality and energy than they had in their youth After replacing and boosting testosterone to optimal levels, men and women report an increased sense of health and well-being, decreased fat, increased muscle mass, increased exercise tolerance, improved cognition and memory, increased sexual function, improved skin tone, and many other rave-worthy benefits.
We’ve personally experienced the positive changes from balanced testosterone in our own lives, with renewed energy and interest in everything from hobbies to sex and in how confident we feel once the testosterone kicks in.
After menopause, estrogen levels plummet and can leave women with symptoms of hot flashes, vaginal dryness, urinary incontinence, decreased sexual function, mood disorders, decreased bone mineral density, and increased body weight just to name a few. Even women who aren’t yet in menopause, experience similar symptoms during perimenopause, usually between the ages of 40-50.
When we replace estrogen to optimal levels, it can reverse these disruptive symptoms. Years of scientific research has shown that optimal estrogen has additional protective benefits against heart disease, osteoporosis, stroke, and Alzheimer’s disease.
In women patients, progesterone is used in conjunction with estrogen therapy to help reduce certain health risks after menopause such as abnormal bleeding and uterine cancer. It’s also a game changer for the brain, helping enhance memory and cognition AND dramatically improve the quality of sleep. This is the only hormone in our BHT regimen that’s taken orally.
BHT offers real, meaningful benefits for any man or woman who wishes to improve their quality of life, decrease morbidities, and increase longevity!
Even though aging is inevitable, you CAN feel good as you age, too. BHT will help to encourage optimal aging and help to alleviate symptoms caused by decreased hormone production and re-establish the protective benefits of these hormones (such as bone density, cardiovascular health, immune function, balance, etc.)
At RegenCen, we offer estrogen and testosterone bioidentical hormone replacement by using pellets. Pellets contain time-released estrogen and testosterone and are placed just under your skin (usually in the hip area) to deliver more youthful levels of hormones. Compared to daily or weekly patches or creams, pellets are low-maintenance and deliver consistent hormone doses at all times. This quick and safe out-patient procedure lasts about 3 months for women and 5-6 months for men.
Initial visit: You’ll Meet with a female Physician Associate who collects a detailed history and discusses your symptoms and concerns. After your consultation, we give you a lab order for hormonal testing (bloodwork).
Visit #2: We review your the lab results from your bloodwork, which detail your current hormonal levels and deficiencies. With that information, we determine the appropriate hormone levels to balance your body’s unique needs, and administer pellet insertion and/or a prescription regimen.
Visit #3: After the pellets are placed, we’ll monitor your progress mainly through symptom improvement, although monitoring with occasional blood testing is helpful. Prior to your follow-up visit, you’ll have another set of bloodwork drawn. At your visit, we’ll review the results from your blood testing, discuss improvements in symptoms that you’ve experienced, and move forward with the appropriate treatment regimen for you, which may include adjustments to the original pellet doses and plan.
Typically women come in 3-4 times a year to maintain optimal levels.
Initial visit: With Dr. Gustav Lo, we’ll collect a detailed history and discuss your symptoms and concerns. After your consultation, we give you a lab order for hormonal testing (bloodwork).
Visit #2: We’ll review your lab results and move forward with the appropriate pellet insertion and/or prescription regimen based on your individual needs.
Visit #3: After the pellets are placed, we’ll monitor your progress via bloodwork that shows your hormone levels as well as symptom improvement.
In the week prior to your follow-up visit, you’ll have another set of bloodwork drawn.
At your visit, we’ll review the results from your bloodwork, discuss improvements in symptoms that you’ve experienced, and move forward with the appropriate treatment regimen for you, which may include adjustments to the original pellet doses and plan.
Typically men need to come in 2-3 times a year to maintain optimal levels.
We numb the area with a small needle before the procedure, so there is no pain other than the anesthetic.
It varies from patient to patient, and for men vs women. Because hormones are such a fundamental part of our every day bodily functions, there may be a 1-2 weeks of “transition time” where your body adjusts to the BHT. Often patients report a rather rapid increase in a positive mood, interest in life, interest in sex, and ability to focus. Energy for exercise and day to day life improves.
By the 3-month mark, women report reduction or elimination of hot flashes, sluggishness, dryness, and insomnia, and men report improvement in energy at the gym, in ability to achieve and sustain erections, and decrease in depression and lethargy. Rechecks can be done in our Petoskey, Traverse City, or Naples locations.
Yes, hormone replacement often improves orgasms. However both men and women may benefit from platelet therapy to improve orgasms. Women notice more frequent and intense orgasms and increased libido after O-shots (platelet-rich plasma) or Oh! Shots (platelet-rich fibrin) and men notice better erections with the E ² shot (platelet-rich fibrin) or P-shot (platelet-rich plasma). At RegenCen in Traverse City, Petoskey, and Naples, we offer many regenerative medical treatments for sexual dysfunction and erectile dysfunction.
Hormone replacement in women isn’t just about estrogen. Progesterone is gone too, and testosterone levels are less than half what they were in your twenties. Replacing those two alone has huge benefits: sleep is better, energy and stamina improve, and bone density has been shown to improve with testosterone (even without estrogen!). At RegenCen, we optimize all 3 hormones to your individual needs.
