Balancing Act

Keeping Hormones in Check

John C. Carrozzella, M.D., MSMS, ABAARM, FAARFM, was a successful orthopedic surgeon for more than 25 years when, in 2007, his life and career path changed dramatically.

John C. Carrozzella, M.D., MSMS, ABAARM, FAARFM, develops a personalized plan for each of his patients to address issues of hormone imbalance, sexual wellness and cosmetic rejuvenation.

“My wife, Sheryl, went through a sudden and dramatic menopause following neck surgery. Doctors told us nothing could be done to help her, because this was just a natural part of life. We simply could not accept that.”

In searching for answers, the couple learned about the benefits of hormone replacement therapy. Ultimately, they found a doctor specializing in hormone therapy. The treatments Sheryl received were life-changing. Dr. Carrozzella was so inspired by his wife’s positive physical and emotional transformation that he became an advanced fellow with the American Academy of Anti-Aging and Aesthetic Medicine. He then went on to receive a master’s in metabolic and nutritional medicine from the University of South Florida. He also received certificates in advanced endocrinology and sexual wellness and health.

In 2015, Dr. Carrozzella founded Florida Center for Hormones & Wellness in Dr. Phillips.

“My core business is hormone balancing in men and women, aged 45-60. Patients come in for a variety of reasons such as fatigue, declining libido or they simply just don’t feel right but have been told by their doctors that they are fine and should be accepting of the changes in their aging body.

“Menopause itself is a state of hormonal imbalance,” he said. “The average age of menopause for women in the U.S. is about age 51, though many women will experience some form of hormonal changes in their 30s and 40s. Those changes have a negative effect on the body’s biochemistry, and the physiology starts to go bad. There is medical literature showing that bioidentical hormones are extremely helpful and beneficial, particularly to women. When women are rich in estrogen, they are significantly protected from cardiovascular disease. There is also medical research that suggests that testosterone may decrease the rate of breast cancer among postmenopausal women by up to 60 percent.”

Some people are initially reluctant to try hormone therapy because of the stigma associated with it.

“There are countless published studies that are somewhat biased against hormone therapy,” Dr. Carrozzella said. “Part of that comes from the fact that everyday medicine and pharmaceutical companies don’t profit when people are well. That’s not health care to me. Bioidentical hormones are pretty much standard care in Europe and Australia. In terms of health care, they are years ahead of us.”

One major health concern for older women is osteoporosis.

“Traditional treatments and medicines don’t stop osteoporosis, they merely slow the rate of decline down,” Dr. Carrozzella said. “Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can actually increase bone density by 3 to 5 percent per year. The BHRT treatment also works as a preventative treatment. The problem is those traditional treatments are FDA-approved and, therefore, are covered by most insurance companies. Most hormone replacement therapies are not covered by insurance. Some patients choose a less effective treatment plan simply because of cost. I try to educate my patients by telling them this is an investment in their long-term health.”

He noted that Florida Center for Hormones & Wellness offers a variety of affordable payment plans.

All of Dr. Carrozzella’s patients receive individualized and personalized care. Treatments vary, and exact formulations depend upon the patient’s personal health and individual needs. Results are usually achieved in four to eight weeks. However, Dr. Carrozzella noted “the challenge is getting patients to understand that you are trying to fine-tune their specific physiology, and that takes time.”

Aside from hormonal balancing, Florida Center for Hormones & Wellness offers a variety of services and treatments for erectile dysfunction correction, sexual wellness and cosmetic procedures, such as Botox Cosmetic, Vampire Facelifts, Vampire Breast Lifts and Vampire Wing Lifts.

Florida Center for Hormones & Wellness is located in Suite 370 at 7575 Dr. Phillips Blvd. in Orlando. For more information, call 407-505-6456 or visit www.hormonesandwellness.com. ♥