HORMONES & AGING: DEBUNKING THE MYTHS

By Dr. Michael Hamm & Elizabeth Fletcher, PA-C

Printed March 2026 Issue of Elegant Island Living Magazine

Adults in their 40s, 50s and 60s are spending more money, time and effort to feel younger, stronger and happier- and the results are bringing them back to how they felt in their 30s. With bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, hormone levels are optimized for individuals to feel their best- inside and out.

Myth: Weight gain, low energy and mood swings are my “new normal”.

As we age, our body naturally decreases the production of testosterone and other necessary hormones. Trouble sleeping through the night, brain fog, anxiety and moodswings, low energy, loss of muscle mass, decreased sex drive and weight gain are all signs that you could have a hormonal imbalance. Even the smallest hormonal imbalance can cause side effects such as extra weight around the waist, increased irritability or higher cholesterol levels. With the right hormone replacement therapy plan, health and balance can be restored as you take back control on what defines your “new normal”.

Myth: Testosterone is only for men. 

Testosterone is an essential hormone for both men and women, and crucial for women’s health as it affects their energy, mood, cognition, bone health and cardiovascular health. Sometimes, women can be misdiagnosed with anxiety and depression when in reality, they have a hormonal imbalance causing unwanted side effects and mood swings. 

Myth: I just need my hormone levels to be average. 

There is no "average". Hormone replacement therapy should never be a one-size-fits-all solution or subscription plan. With a thorough consultation that includes full lab work, health history, and conversations about your health/treatment goals is essential to create a plan tailored to your needs. This customized plan should be developed, monitored and adjusted when necessary to reach optimal results. Hormonal balance affects the mind and body; therefore, you deserve a dedicated patient-provider dynamic. 

Now that we've debunked those myths, Biomed providers are here to help you understand hormone replacement therapy and how it might work for you.

Golden hour over the marsh of the Golden Isles.

Testosterone in the form of bioidentical pellet therapy has been shown to provide optimal results for individuals receiving hormone replacement therapy. Pellets are inserted during an in-office procedure and only need to be re-administered every 3-6 months, depending on the patient and dosage. This method provides a consistent, long-lasting release of hormones, avoiding the rollercoaster of hormonal “highs and lows”. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy pellets use compounded hormones that are identical in structure to those your body naturally produces. The patient’s body recognizes and uses these replacement hormones in exactly the same way it would with the hormones it produces naturally. 

Hormonal imbalance isn't always be the culprit for symptoms like weight gain, sleepless nights, and mood swings, which is why finding the right provider is essential for a patient’s journey to health. Even individuals who are not a suitable fit for hormone replacement therapy benefit greatly from a full wellness consultation with lab work. The right provider empowers their patients with the knowledge to understand their individual health profile and ensure they never feel unheard.

At Biomed, our providers are healers first, working with the patient to find balance- starting from within.