Nicole Stapp, Certified Woman’s Health Nurse Practitioner, has completed advanced Bioidentical Hormone therapy training and is certified in the protocols for optimization of hormone replacement therapy. Through Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, Nicole hopes to help patients feel like their best selves. Hormone replacement therapy is designed to address the hormone imbalances that most individuals face as a result of the aging process. Nicole’s Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) treatment plans optimize each patient’s hormones after comprehensive lab testing and evaluation of their specific symptoms. This comprehensive and customized approach allows patients to achieve relief from their symptoms and a better quality of life.
In men, testosterone levels begin to decline with age. This is a natural and normal process, but for some, declining levels of testosterone result in fatigue and sexual dysfunction. BHRT for men often means restoring testosterone levels for improved health and wellness. Men who receive BHRT for testosterone have improved strength, endurance, libido, and overall energy.
Hormonal fluctuation during menopause is responsible for some of the most debilitating menopause symptoms, such as mood swings, sexual dysfunction, or skin concerns. These hormonal changes can cause serious health complications such as increased risk of stroke, increased risk of dementia, bone loss, or vaginal atrophy. BHRT during and after menopause can help relieve these symptoms and improve a woman’s overall health.
Testosterone is found in both men and women, and naturally declines during aging. Symptoms of decreased testosterone may include fatigue, decreased strength or muscle mass, decreased libido, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Patients also tend to see weight gain as a result of decreased testosterone levels, which is often found in the midsection in particular.
Restoring testosterone levels can result in the following benefits for patients:
Dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, is a hormone precursor which is primarily secreted by the adrenal glands as well as the testes or ovaries. DHEA helps to maintain healthy hormone levels in the body and supports the body’s natural response to stress. On average, DHEA declines by about 10% per decade of a patient’s life. While this decline is normal and natural, it can result in issues related to inflammation, increased stress, blood sugar imbalance, and signs of aging.
Restoring optimal DHEA levels can result in many positive effects for patients, inlcuding:
Estrogen is found in both men and women, though women are particularly affected by lowered estrogen levels during menopause. For this reason, women frequently receive BHRT to restore estrogen to relieve menopause symptoms and optimize their health. Balanced, normal estrogen levels also help to prevent osteoporosis, heart disease, stroke, and memory disorders such as Alzheimer’s.
Restoring estrogen levels can help relieve the following symptoms:
The hormone progesterone is produced in the ovaries. This hormone is crucial for women of all ages, and in particular, during pregnancy as progesterone assists in and maintains pregnancy. Balanced levels of progesterone also help to regulate mood and relieve symptoms associated with PMS and the menstrual cycle. Healthy progesterone also decreases risks of breast and uterine cancers as well as osteoporosis or heart disease. Finally, progesterone balances the effects of excess estrogen for many patients.
Improving progesterone levels can result in the following benefits:
BHRT (Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy) treatment plans are fully customized to each patient’s needs by Nicole Stapp, who has undergone extensive training and is certified in BHRT. Treatment consists of a combination of extensive lab testing and Nicole’s expertise in evaluating each patient’s symptoms to create a personalized treatment plan to improve their vitality and overall wellbeing.
BHRT at Zuliani Facial Aesthetics consists of Pellecome pellet therapy, a system we chose specifically for its outstanding safety record and superior quality compared to other hormone replacement options.
Pellecome BHRT utilizes timed-release pellet implants to deliver consistent biologically identical hormones to the body. These implants are roughly the size of a grain of rice and are placed below the skin in our office through a simple and safe procedure. Once inserted, the pellets release hormones that are molecularly identical to natural hormones, offering consistent relief from your symptoms. Pellets must be re-inserted just 3-4 times per year, and the procedure takes 15 minutes or less.
Bioidentical hormones are derived from plants but designed to be molecularly identical to the hormones that the body naturally produces. This means that the body processes bioidentical hormones in exactly the same way that it would process naturally-produced hormones.
Many studies have found that optimizing hormone levels is one of the most effective forms of preventative medicine. Hormones are used within the body to send messages from the brain regarding various bodily functions. Decreased hormone levels due to aging or other factors can create various health complications related to weight gain, energy levels, sexual health, or mood. For many patients, this decrease in hormones begins as early as the mid-30s. Restoring youthful levels of hormones can grant patients relief from these symptoms and help prevent an increased risk of diseases such as osteoporosis, heart disease, or Alzheimer’s.
BHRT begins with a comprehensive analysis of each patient’s laboratory work results, symptoms, and personal health history. This assessment indicates which hormones are sub-optimal, and a custom hormone replacement therapy plan can be developed. Through Pellecome, bioidentical hormone pellets can then be placed to restore optimal hormone levels.
BHRT can be achieved through various methods, including topical creams, oral medications, injections, or pellets. BHRT at Zuliani Facial Aesthetics is offered using compounded pellets, which are placed below the skin to deliver consistent hormones with as little upkeep for the patient as possible.
Pellets are a form of hormone replacement therapy, using the Pellecome delivery device, compounded pellets the size of a grain of rice are placed below the skin that contains bioidentical hormones such as testosterone or estrogen. Bioidentical hormones are molecularly identical to the hormones naturally produced by the body. Pellets are inserted about every 3-4 months.
Pellet therapy offers consistent relief through a timed-release of hormones, allowing patients to forgo the fluctuations involved in injectables, creams, pills, or patches. Patients do not have to worry about remembering a daily pill or cream throughout their treatment. Additionally, pellet therapy avoids complications associated with many other types of HRT, such as blood clots, thrombosis, or issues regarding the liver.
To learn more about BHRT and find out whether hormone replacement therapy is right for you, call Zuliani Facial Aesthetics at (248) 322-3362 or request your appointment through our online form.