Hormones play a vital role in many aspects of one ’s life, and hormone therapy or BHRT can play a significant role in improving the health and well-being of those suffering from hormone-related symptoms. They are chemical messengers that enter the blood immediately.
Some hormones are generated from amino acids. However, many of them are formed from lipid molecules that resemble cholesterol. Cholesterol is the precursor of the five primary steroid hormone classes: glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, androgens, progestagens, and estrogens. DHEA and pregnenolone are two pro- and steroid hormones that are generated from a molecule of cholesterol precursor.
Pregnenolone and DHEA hormones are compounds that help enhance the production of estrogen and testosterone. However, they also act independently to support significant functions of the body.
What is Pregnenolone?
Pregnenolone, also known as the “mother of all hormones“, is a pro-hormone generated naturally by some regions of the brain, and aids in the production of other hormones, including stress, sex, and neuron hormones. Pregnenolone is a neurosteroid, which means it can quickly activate neurons for improved communication. Pregnenolone is a precursor for the production of steroid hormones including progesterone, DHEA, estrogen, cortisol, and testosterone.
Pregnenolone may be effective in treating age-related memory loss. In alternative medicine, it is used to treat a variety of health conditions such as:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Allergies
- Arthritis
- Depression
- Endometriosis
- Fatigue/Tiredness
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Menopausal Syndrome
- Fibrocystic Breast Condition
- Premenstrual Syndrome
- Psoriasis
- Scleroderma
- And more!
However, there are potential negative effects in taking pregnenolone without a valid prescription including:
- Sleeplessness
- Anxiety
- Mood changes
- Headache
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- Facial hair growth
- Hair loss
What is DHEA?
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone generated naturally by the adrenal glands that aid in the production of testosterone and estrogen. The natural DHEA levels reach a maximum in early adulthood and then gradually decline with aging. DHEA hormones are usually used as an anti-aging treatment.
DHEA is used to:
- Improve physical performance
- Treat depression
- Treat menopausal symptoms
- Increase sexual desire
- Build muscles
- Prevent virginal atrophy
- Improve some health conditions
Using of DHEA without a doctor’s prescription may result in negative effect such as:
- Increase steroid effect
- Increase hormone-sensitive malignancies (such as prostate, breast, and ovarian)
- Increase risk of ischemic heart disease
- Decrease level of good cholesterol in the body
Is Pregnenolone the Same as DHEA?
Similarities
- Both DHEA and pregnenolone hormones are steroids in nature.
- Both DHEA and pregnenolone hormones are derived from a molecule of cholesterol precursor.
- Both DHEA and pregnenolone hormones may serve as precursors for the production of other essential hormones.
Difference
- DHEA is a hormone that is naturally created by the adrenal glands. It helps in the production of other hormones such as testosterone and estrogen.
- Pregnenolone is a pro-hormone that is released naturally by specific regions of the brain, and it aids in the production of other hormones, including stress, sex, and neuron hormones. Therefore, this is the primary distinction between DHEA and pregnenolone.
How Does BHRT Helps Reduce Symptoms of Menopause and Andropause?
Menopause and andropause are both causal factors of the aging process that occur when the normal balance of hormones in the body starts to deteriorate as a result of overall less hormone production. Keeping in mind that sex hormones such as progesterone, testosterone, and estrogen depend on pregnenolone, it seems logical that greater levels of pregnenolone may reduce the symptoms of hormonal imbalance caused by aging.
While menopause often has a more drastic beginning than andropause, which is a gradual fall in testosterone production, both conditions have many of the same symptoms, including:
- Fatigue
- Poor memory and concentration
- Depression and mood swings
- Low libido
- Hair loss and muscle weakness
- Hot flashes and temperature regulation
Restore Your Internal Balance with Bio-identical Hormone Therapy in Fort Myers, FL
Hormone precursors such as pregnenolone or DHEA could be beneficial for persons suffering from hormone-related symptoms that interfere with their normal daily activities. Frequently, these symptoms result from aging. Many of these symptoms may be reduced by BHRT, which may also decrease the aging process in the body.
The compassionate team at NewU Wellness is dedicated to customizing unique treatment plans to help patients look and feel great. We specialize in bio-identical hormone replacement therapy for men and women.
NewU Wellness performs:
- Physical examination
- Obtains a complete medical history
- Tests hormone levels right on-site
Procedure
- Before pellets are placed, an area on a patient’s hip is numbed with a local anesthetic.
- Once numbed, a small incision is made and the pellets are deposited into the subcutaneous tissue.
- Then an incision is closed and a dressing is positioned. Patients have reported soreness for a couple of days following the procedure.
Discover more about bio-identical hormone replacement therapy by calling NewU Wellness at (239) 789-2184 or schedule an appointment online today!
