Bioidentical Hormonal Replacement Therapy
At Viva Health Group, Dr. Bodnar administers HRT (30 years of experience) via subcutaneous pellet implantation, transdermal creams, or patches.
Hormones play a critical role in regulating various physiological systems and functions. Insufficient or imbalanced hormone levels can adversely affect quality of life. When they are low and out of balance, so is your life.
Potential symptoms include:
- Persistent fatigue, hot flashes, night sweats, cognitive difficulties, and memory impairment.
- Vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, and reduced sexual desire.
- Headaches.
- Sleep disturbances.
- Mood fluctuations, including depression and irritability.
- Decreased lean muscle mass.
- Unexplained weight gain.
Bioidentical hormones closely match natural human hormones, supporting efficient bodily utilization.
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) has demonstrated efficacy in extending lifespan, decelerating the aging process, lowering all-cause mortality, and offering protection against age-associated diseases such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and dementia, particularly when initiated near the onset of menopause.
HRT is considered one of the most significant interventions for healthy aging. Postmenopausal women may benefit from HRT, as evidenced by biomarkers indicating reduced biological age; however, optimal outcomes are achieved when treatment begins near menopause and accounts for individual health considerations. Initiating HRT at an advanced age or in the presence of pre-existing vascular conditions may entail additional risks, underlining the importance of individualized medical assessment.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy reestablishes hormonal balance using compounds that are structurally identical to endogenous human hormones, thereby improving patient outcomes. Hormonal variability significantly influences daily functioning, especially during the menopausal transition. HRT mitigates the effects of declining hormone levels, thereby supporting physiological processes characteristic of premenopausal status.
Clinical studies indicate that HRT reduces overall mortality and may confer survival benefits for both men (testosterone) and women (estrogen).
Initiation of estrogen therapy around menopause has been associated with cardioprotective effects, reducing cardiovascular disease risk—a leading cause of mortality among women—by up to 50% and overall mortality by as much as 30% if begun within ten years of menopause.
HRT supports cognitive performance and mood stability, thereby alleviating some manifestations of age-related decline.
Estrogen monotherapy has been shown to substantially reduce breast cancer incidence and mortality rates by approximately 30%.
As a modality for promoting longevity and preventing chronic disease, HRT appears highly effective, but its appropriateness and safety depend on patient-specific factors, underscoring the need for expert clinical guidance.