Photo by Skip Lawrence Dr. Jeanne O'Connell displays one of the tiny pills that is planted subcutaneously forbio-identical hormone replacement. Purchase this photo

Aging can cause a similar condition called andropause in men, said Dr. Jeanne O'Connell, medical director of the Sylvana Institute in Frederick.

"Aging is not a disease, it is a process," said O'Connell, a self-described advocate of age management medicine. "There is so much about aging that is uncomfortable. We manage every other aspect of health É the symptoms (of aging) can be mitigated."

Hormone replacement therapy can help keep the body functioning as it always has and prevent the onset of many adult diseases, she said.

The hormones used in traditional replacement therapies are derived from animals, often horses. The molecular structure of these compounds differs from that of human hormones, and the use of these synthetic hormones have been linked to breast cancer and other health problems.

Bioidentical hormones, which O'Connell began using in her practice late last year, are typically derived from soybeans or wild yams. These hormones have the exact molecular structure of the hormones naturally produced in the body, O'Connell said.

Bioidentical hormones are naturally occurring and therefore cannot be patented, O'Connell said. Numerous studies have found bioidentical hormones to be a safer option than synthetic hormones, she said.

At O'Connell's practice, tiny hormone pellets are inserted under the skin in the hip or buttocks area, and dissolve within four to six months. Bioidentical hormones can be administered several ways, but O'Connell said pellet therapy produces the best results. The pellet releases a steady stream of hormones as it dissolves and is not compromised by skin enzymes, like some creams or gels, she said.

Initial bloodwork determines the amounts and types of hormones a patient needs. Doses are adjusted as needed as the patient responds to this first dose.

O'Connell said none of her patients have reported negative side effects from the bioidentical hormones. However, some patients have reported some weight gain shortly after starting therapy, since the body begins to rebuild lean muscle mass before it loses excess fat, she said.

All of O'Connell's patients have reported a drop in cholesterol after beginning bioidentical HRT, she said. Most have noticed improvements in sleep and increased energy and mental clarity within weeks.

Patients typically express initial interest in HRT in their mid- to late 40s, O'Connell said. The therapy has no age limit, but research shows hormones are effective only until about age 85, she said.

"The purpose is not to extend life, but to maintain as much function as we can as long as we can while maintaining a healthy patient," she said.

Research has shown that replacing the hormones lost as the body ages can ward off many adult diseases, including type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, osteoporosis, arthritis and cardiovascular disease, O'Connell said. However, health insurance does not cover the treatment.

"They may (pay) once they realize this prevents adult diseases," she said.

About 80 percent of O'Connell's patients are women, but the number of men seeking treatment is increasing, she said.

"When we are finished making babies, Mother Nature is done with us," O'Connell said. "Our goal is to maintain ourselves until we're done with us."