Following Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s Disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder1. Often marked by tremors in the head, neck, arms, hands, and legs, additional disease symptoms may include muscle stiffness, slow movement, poor balance, bowel and bladder issues, and trouble chewing, swallowing, and speaking. Parkinson’s can also lead to depression, particularly as symptoms progress.
Parkinson’s is caused by the impairment or death of nerve cells in the basal ganglia2, the part of the brain that is responsible for controlling movement. These cells produce the hormone and neurotransmitter dopamine, which helps regulate mood, coordination, and more. Parkinson’s also destroys the nerve endings that produce norepinephrine, the hormone and neurotransmitter that acts as the primary chemical messenger for the sympathetic nervous system2. This can result in irregular heart rate, blood pressure changes, fatigue, digestive distress, and other severe and potentially fatal concerns.
Can Hormones Help With Parkinson’s Disease?
A study of 230,000 postmenopausal women in four nations found that hormone replacement therapy halved the risk of developing Alzheimer’s in women who had used the therapy for 10 years or more3. In addition, this same study found that women who began taking hormones at the onset of menopause experienced a reduction in memory loss and confusion. What’s more, treatment with bioidentical estrogen, in particular, has been shown to reduce risks for bone fractures and muscle atrophy, improve mood, and increase energy for women. For men with Parkinson’s, similar effects have been found through the supplementation of testosterone3.
It is important to note that while research suggests hormones can help to reduce the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease4, hormone replacement therapy cannot reverse or treat the disease itself. Nonetheless, reducing the symptoms of Parkinson’s can have a profound impact on the health and happiness of those experiencing the disorder, making it a valuable treatment option.
The Best Method of Delivery
BHRT (bioidentical hormone replacement therapy) can be administered via topical ointments, patches, pills, injections, or pellets. Of these, pellet delivery offers the most predictable and long-lasting results. Pellecome®, a leader in BHRT and related technologies, is proud to offer healthcare providers one of the safest, most advanced pellet delivery systems available today.
Our Re3 Advanced Pellet Delivery System is designed to improve provider comfort and accuracy, reduce patient risks, and enhance patient outcomes. Convenient, effective, and complete, our system helps to ensure proper pellet depth, reduce the chances of pellet bunching, and eliminate the need for autoclaving and other time-consuming steps that take time away from your patients and your practice.
Our team of BHRT experts is here to answer your questions and help you determine if adding the service or updating your existing offerings can help improve your and your patients’ experiences. Please use the contact form on this page or call 888-773-9969 to learn more.
- Dye RV, Miller KJ, Singer EJ, Levine AJ. Hormone replacement therapy and risk for neurodegenerative diseases. Int J Alzheimers Dis. 2012;2012:258454. doi:10.1155/2012/258454; Available from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12777365
- Parkinson’s Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments; Available from https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/parkinsons-disease
- Taking hormone replacement therapy for at least 10 years ‘can reduce dementia risk’; Available from https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/768803/Hormone-replacement-therapy-reduces-dementia-risk
- Wang P, Li J, Qiu S, Wen H, Du J. Hormone replacement therapy and Parkinson’s disease risk in women: a meta-analysis of 14 observational studies. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2014;11:59-66. Published 2014 Dec 31. doi:10.2147/NDT.S69918; Available from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4317144
