Hormone replacement therapy involves replacing hormones that decline naturally with age. The most common types of HRT provide estrogen, progesterone, and/or testosterone to get hormone levels back into balance. HRT can come in the form of pills, skin patches, gels, creams, implants, shots, or vaginal rings.
At Hormone Harmony Clinic, we offer natural hormone replacement therapy using bioidentical hormones. These are made from plant sources and are molecularly identical to the hormones your body produces. This makes them easier for your body to recognize and utilize than synthetic hormone medications.
HRT provides relief for both women and men dealing with age-related hormone imbalance.
For women, declining estrogen levels after menopause often cause unpleasant symptoms like:
Hormone therapy for women after menopause can reduce these symptoms and help women feel like themselves again. HRT may also have protective effects on the heart and bones when started early in menopause.
Hormone therapy for men corrects testosterone deficiency, which becomes more common as men age. Low testosterone leads to problems like:
With customized testosterone replacement therapy, men can improve energy, sex drive, strength, endurance, and overall wellbeing.
When it comes to something as delicate as hormone balance, you want an experienced HRT provider you can trust. At Hormone Harmony Clinic in Lancaster, our board-certified medical providers specialize in hormone therapies. We take the time to listen to your needs and goals and develop custom treatment plans using cutting-edge therapies.
Our clinic offers:
We also provide a warm, welcoming environment where your comfort and privacy are our top priorities.
If you suspect hormone imbalance or just want to discuss optimizing your hormone levels, make an appointment for an initial consultation at our Lancaster clinic. Here's an overview of what you can expect:
HRT is one of the most effective ways to address changes that occur with hormonal aging. Don't continue suffering from uncomfortable symptoms or decline - get your hormones checked and start treatment so you can thrive at any age!
Hormone replacement therapy was originally developed in the 1930s to treat symptoms of menopause in women. However, in the 1960s it was discovered that estrogen could also help transgender women transition. Today hormone therapy is prescribed both for menopausal symptoms and gender transition, helping people of all ages and genders.
The first step in hormone replacement therapy is comprehensive lab testing to evaluate your hormone levels. Based on your test results, age, symptoms, medical history, and goals, our providers will recommend the ideal hormones and delivery methods to restore balance.
For women, common HRT protocols may include:
For men, we often recommend:
Thyroid, cortisol, DHEA, melatonin, and other hormone medications may also be prescribed as needed for optimal balance.
We'll share detailed instructions so you know when and how to administer prescribed hormones. Follow-up blood tests help us adjust dosages over time to meet treatment goals. With an individualized plan from our clinic, you can finally feel like yourself again.
If you're experiencing bothersome signs of hormone imbalance, don't delay seeking treatment. The longer hormone deficiencies go untreated, the greater your risks for issues like:
For women:
For men:
Restoring optimal hormone levels as soon as possible can help minimize these risks. Our providers emphasize early intervention because we want you to enjoy the prime of life without uncomfortable symptoms or health complications.
Our Hormone Harmony Clinic is conveniently located in Lancaster, PA. With its small town charm and vibrant arts scene, Lancaster's laid back lifestyle creates an ideal setting for hormone replacement therapy.
The area's four mild seasons provide relatively comfortable weather all year long for activities that support HRT success. Our clinic is surrounded by scenic farmland, perfect for peaceful country drives or bike rides that reduce stress. Indoor spots like the Lancaster County Convention Center offer ample walking routes for cardio exercise on cold or rainy days.
For HRT patients focused on healthy living, Lancaster boasts farmers markets overflowing with fresh local produce in summer and fall. Try authentic Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine at restaurants like Miller's Smorgasbord for hearty, nutritious meals. The city also has several recreational parks, fitness centers like Spooky Nook Sports, and yoga studios to help you stay active.
Getting follow-up blood tests for hormone monitoring is easy with nearby lab facilities like Quest Diagnostics. Area attractions like Long's Park and Dutch Wonderland provide fun weekend diversions during your therapy.
With its relaxing vibe, emphasis on community, and abundance of healthy living resources, Lancaster offers the perfect environment to complement your hormone treatments. Our clinic provides personalized care and optimal therapies so you can feel your best while enjoying everything this charming city has to offer.
To understand why hormone replacement therapy is often needed, it helps to know what causes our hormone levels to shift over time. Hormonal changes occur naturally as we age, but lifestyle and health factors can also play a role.
For women, the most dramatic hormone change happens during menopause, when estrogen levels severely decline as ovarian function diminishes. Perimenopause often starts in the 40s, causing estrogen fluctuations that lead to symptoms like hot flashes and sleep disruption. Lack of estrogen after menopause accelerates bone loss and heart disease risk.
However, hormone imbalances can develop at other ages too. Issues like chronic stress, poor gut health, obesity, and autoimmune disorders hamper hormone production. Medical treatments like chemotherapy or hysterectomy can damage hormone-secreting glands. Hormone levels may decline prematurely, causing suboptimal function before old age.
In men, testosterone production typically starts decreasing around age 30 by 1% per year. Lower T causes loss of muscle mass, strength, libido, and physical endurance. Like women, men's lifestyle habits significantly impact hormone balance – obesity, drugs, medications, and illness all impair testosterone levels.
No matter your gender or age, sustaining optimal hormone function is crucial for overall health. If you're dealing with troubling symptoms, have been diagnosed with a hormone insufficiency, or simply want to maximize vitality, HRT can help correct deficiencies and get you feeling like yourself again.
The first step in hormone replacement therapy is always comprehensive lab testing. This gives us baseline data so we can accurately identify and treat hormone deficiencies.
We recommend testing key hormones including:
Based on initial findings, more specialized testing may be ordered to uncover the root causes of imbalances. For example, adrenal stress profiles or food sensitivity testing for individuals with chronically high cortisol.
Diagnostic testing is crucial because it:
While testing often involves blood draws, we also offer saliva testing for patients who prefer not to have blood taken. Diagnostic testing gives us a complete picture of your hormone function so we can create fully customized treatment plans that return levels to optimal ranges.
Treating hormone deficiencies requires replacing what your body lacks. This is accomplished through various forms of bioidentical hormone therapy.
For women, estrogen and progesterone therapy balance levels that drop during perimenopause and menopause. This alleviates symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal atrophy. Balancing these two key hormones also minimizes heart disease and osteoporosis risk after menopause.
Some women also benefit from testosterone replacement to improve libido, energy, strength, and mental clarity. The careful use of testosterone therapy is safe and effective when overseen by an experienced provider.
For men, testosterone replacement corrects the decline in testosterone production that occurs naturally with age. Injections, gels, pellets, and other delivery methods are used to restore free testosterone levels to a normal range. This leads to benefits like:
Both genders may also benefit from prescription thyroid hormones, melatonin, DHEA, hCG, cortisol blockers, and other medications that target specific deficiencies uncovered during testing.
The right combination of bioidentical hormones helps cells and tissues function optimally for improved wellbeing, disease prevention, and healthy aging. Our providers fine tune dosages and delivery methods over time to keep your body balanced.
While hormone replacement therapy works from the inside out to correct deficiencies, certain lifestyle measures can support and enhance results:
Follow a nutritious, anti-inflammatory diet high in produce, lean proteins, fiber, and healthy fats from oils, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish. Limit sugar, excess carbs, and processed foods which can exacerbate hormone imbalance. Stay hydrated and minimize alcohol, which impairs hormone synthesis.
Aim for 150 minutes per week of moderate aerobic activity, plus two strength training sessions. Exercise helps balance hormones naturally, control weight, reduce stress, improve sleep, and support bone and heart health.
Chronic stress raises cortisol, which can disrupt optimal testosterone, estrogen, and thyroid function. Try yoga, meditation, massage, counseling, or other tactics to control stress. Get at least 7 hours of quality sleep nightly.
Vitamins and minerals like magnesium, zinc, and vitamin D provide cofactors for natural hormone production. Certain botanicals and adaptogens may also help support hormonal health. Ask your provider about appropriate supplements to enhance your HRT plan.
When combined with individualized hormone replacement protocols, supportive lifestyle measures can help you look and feel your absolute best. Our clinic provides all the tools, guidance, and care you need to thrive through hormone optimization.
At Hormone Harmony Clinic in Lancaster, PA, we believe optimal hormone balance is the key to health, vitality and disease prevention as we age. Our experienced providers offer cutting edge hormone testing, treatments and guidance tailored to your unique needs. We consider the big picture, including nutrition, exercise, stress reduction, and supplementation, to help you look and feel your best.
If you’re experiencing hot flashes, low libido, weight gain, fatigue, or other troublesome symptoms, we can help. With individualized testing, high quality bioidentical hormones, and ongoing fine tuning of your treatments, you’ll notice dramatic improvements in energy, sleep, sexual function, body composition and quality of life.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation to discuss your hormone replacement therapy options. We look forward to partnering with you on your journey to better health and wellbeing!
