In life, we are constantly seeking balance, whether it’s between work and life, socialization and solitude, or nurturing our physical and mental health. When anything in our life gets out of sync, we work to restore it and maintain harmony before everything else gets affected. The same is true for our hormones, which actually play a role in the life we’re already trying to balance.
A hormonal imbalance negatively impacts all facets of health: physical, mental, and sexual. With over 50 hormones identified so far, it’s no wonder why people come to Marcos Medical Aesthetics & Wellness hoping to treat a range of symptoms. Most people don’t realize that the culprit for their low libido, poor-quality sleep, or weight gain could be their hormones.
Related: Don’t Wait for Weight Loss
Read on to discover why our providers offer HRT in San Antonio to help you find balance from within and improve your quality of life.
What are hormones?
Hormones act as chemical messengers that relay information through your bloodstream, regulating and controlling bodily functions and timing. They’re the body’s project managers, overseeing countless details for proper functioning and heavily depending on communication.
Our hormones manage vital processes in the body, including:
- Metabolism
- Sexual and reproductive function
- Sleep patterns
- Blood pressure
- Body temperature
Even minor imbalances, like too much or too little of a hormone, can cause disruptions and lead to health issues.
What causes hormonal imbalances?
Factors such as genetics, lifestyle, and health play a role in your hormones. However, age usually has the biggest influence on hormone production. Especially as we grow older, our hormone levels naturally decline, taking our vitality and overall well-being with them. That’s why we offer HRT. Because even though aging is inevitable, the side effects don’t have to be.
What is HRT?
In San Antonio, we only offer bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT); these are plant-derived hormones, chemically identical to those naturally produced by your body. Depending on your needs, HRT can supplement low levels of estrogen or testosterone and ease symptoms of hormonal imbalances.
We believe BHRT produces more effective outcomes, making it our preferred choice over traditional synthetic hormone replacement therapy.
Interested in learning more? In this video, Dr. Yolanda Marcos explains the mechanism of BHRT.
How do I know if I have a hormonal imbalance?
Hormonal imbalances can be hard to detect because they can present in so many different ways. Men and women can both experience the following symptoms:
- Emotional changes
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Hair changes
- Digestive problems
- Skin problems
However, they can present themselves differently depending on your sex.
Hormonal Imbalances for Women
Women of all ages can experience hormonal imbalances. In fact, hormonal fluctuations are common, especially during major life events like pregnancy. Still, every month, our hormones change during menstruation. Hormonal imbalances in women reveal themselves in the following ways:
- Acne
- Hair loss on the scalp
- Heavy periods
- Missed or irregular periods
- Excess body hair (hirsutism)
- Infertility
Most women experience additional symptoms during menopause, when their bodies significantly decrease the amount of estrogen being produced. Menopause usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55. However, perimenopause typically begins when women reach their 40s. In addition to those we have already listed, women also experience the following symptoms during menopause:
- Change in mood
- Hot flashes
- Vaginal dryness
No matter your age, if you’re a woman experiencing a hormonal imbalance, HRT in San Antonio can help restore your well-being and ease some of the uncomfortable symptoms you may be facing.
Hormonal Imbalances for Men
Testosterone levels begin to drop by 1% per year after the age of 30. Along with lower T levels, men can also experience the following:
- Gynecomastia (enlarged male breast tissue)
- Loss of muscle mass
- Decrease in body hair
- Erectile dysfunction
The Benefits
Whether you’re looking for BHRT for men or women, you can expect to feel a natural boost in your overall well-being and improvements in the following areas:
- Focus
- Memory
- Mood
- Energy
- Sleep
- Physical performance
- Weight
- Libido
- Intimacy
As mentioned before, when your hormones are out of balance, so are other aspects of your life. Your love life suffers when you’re physically uncomfortable. Fortunately, we offer more than BHRT to help you revive your love life.
Related: Love Your Love Life | Libido Enhancement at Marcos Medical
Beyond your physical and mental well-being, you can also experience some aesthetic improvements as well. With BHRT, expect clearer skin and a confidence boost as hormones impact skin.
Looking to further restore your complexion, and even your hair? We offer HydraFacials for your skin and your scalp.
The Process
If you’re ready to find your balance and experience enhanced mood, sleep, and quality of life, contact us to set up a consultation.
The Consultation
Our providers will sit down with you to discuss your symptoms and medical history before conducting a thorough hormone panel. Based on your results, we will discuss your options, and then create a customized treatment plan to address your needs.
The Treatment
We have 4 different options for HRT in San Antonio: pellets, pills, injections, and topical treatments. We usually recommend pellets, but we can give a breakdown of each option during your consultation, helping identify the best BHRT delivery method to suit your lifestyle and preferences.
Pellets
Pellets are minimally invasive BHRT treatments that we insert under the skin, typically in the hip or buttock region. Rest assured, we’ll apply a numbing cream to the injection site to minimize pain and discomfort. A small bandage closes the incision after pellet placement. The process takes 10 to 15 minutes, with follow-up treatment determined by hormone levels and goals.
Pellets gradually release hormones into your bloodstream and support your body’s natural hormone production until your next visit.
You can expect to see the benefits of BHRT pellets within 2 to 3 weeks following your treatment.
We highly recommend pellet insertion, as it doesn’t require daily or weekly maintenance.
How many pellets will I need?
The number of pellets required for HRT in San Antonio depends on your individual hormone needs. Your consultation will include a medical evaluation and lab work to assess this. Typically, women need 1 to 3 pellets every 3 to 4 months. Men require around 6 to 10 pellets every 4 to 6 months.
Aftercare
After your insertion, we recommend refraining from strenuous activity or exercises for 24 to 48 hours, or until the incision is healed. We can provide additional instructions during your visit.
Follow-Up Visits
In order to track your progress, we ask that you come in for follow-up visits. This way, we can further customize your treatment and offer additional services to help you look and feel your best. During these visits, we run routine lab work to monitor your hormone levels, and thoroughly discuss your symptoms and improvements.
Federal guidelines strictly oversee BHRT’s manufacturing, testing for potency, sterility, and endotoxins, making them very safe. To ensure maximum HRT benefits and safety, we track and monitor your progress.
How long can I stay on HRT?
You can stay on HRT for as long as you want. However, your medical condition may play a factor. With our regular visits, we can closely monitor your progress and discuss your treatment duration and dosage.
Side Effects?
Side effects differ depending on the patient. Fortunately, they are usually temporary and resolve as your body adjusts to the new hormones. Still, you might experience the following:
- Acne
- Bloating
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Mood swings
If these side effects persist, we can discuss your treatment plan during your follow-up visit. We highly encourage you to discuss everything you are feeling, so we can make the necessary adjustments and minimize any discomfort you may feel.
Continuing the Balancing Act
Of course, balancing your hormones helps improve your health, but that still requires you to make the right lifestyle choices. We recommend:
- Limiting alcohol and tobacco intake (or just stopping altogether)
- Eating a balanced diet
- Exercising regularly
- Staying hydrated
- Managing stress
Fortunately, the benefits of hormone optimization can give you the energy to make these healthy choices, like exercising.
Why Choose Marcos Medical?
For over 20 years, we made it our mission to provide the best possible care with the most up-to-date science and technology. Our top priorities are partnerships, compassion, education, and providing excellent patient care. We offer more than HRT in San Antonio—we can help you protect your health with vaccinations, support your weight loss, and provide routine medical exams, all to make sure you stay in good health.
Additionally, our aesthetic team can provide you with body contouring and muscle toning to help you restore your strength, balance, and function. Beyond our expertise in wellness, we also have aesthetic services to help you look as good as you feel.
Find Your Balance at Marcos Medical
Finding balance in your life doesn’t have to be difficult. With our customizable options and supportive team, you can experience the benefits of HRT in San Antonio. If you’re ready to start from the comfort of your own home, you can try our treatment planner tool.
However, if you’re more interested in a personal consultation, you can contact our care team to schedule an in-office visit. We can help you restore your hormones and find balance in your physical, mental, and sexual health.
