Bio Identical Hormone Therapy for Women
Many women experience the effects of hormone imbalance as they age, some as early as age 35. No one can accurately predict when, or if these symptoms will occur and the extent to which they may impact the quality of your life.
There are key signals that should alert you to the possibility that changes you sense in your body may be related to depleted hormone levels. If you notice loss of libido, unexpected weight gain, forgetfulness, unusual mood swings, changes in the look and feel of your hair and skin, or just general fatigue and a lack of energy or drive, you are probably experiencing the unpleasant side effects of perimenopause or menopause. Perimenopause is characterized by irregular periods, is more common in your mid to late 40’s, and can last for several years before periods stop completely during full menopause.
We believe the problem starts with a decline in the supply of natural hormones within the body.
We solve the problem with hormones the body recognizes as being identical to the ones to which it is familiar.
WHAT'S INVOLVED IN STARTING
You will fill out a brief medical history and a symptoms questionnaire when you have your lab work done. If you live out of town, we can arrange for your labs to be drawn at a location near you.
As early as 3 days after your lab work, we can see you for your initial consultation. We will discuss your symptoms, history, lifestyle and goals and also review the results from your blood work. From this, we will make recommendations for a course of treatment.
Follow Up Appointments
We require that you have a follow up appointment every 3 months during the first year of treatment. This is to ensure that your hormone levels are at the correct level and to ensure that your treatment is optimal for you. Prior to each follow up appointment you will be required to have your labs completed.
After one year of treatment your follow up appointments will be every 6 months. Once you start your 3rd year you will only be required to follow up once a year. Any patients experiencing any discomfort or problems are strongly encouraged to contact us immediately. All of our patients are welcome to call our office at any time to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
Pharmacy
We have undergone a rigorous selection process for the compounding pharmacy that we utilize. Compounding pharmacies vary in the products that they produce and the quality controls in which they implement, therefore we utilize one compounding pharmacy for our hormones. All orders are shipped discretely directly to your home. Typically your order will ship out the day after you place your order. All orders are shipped FedEx. Patients will need to arrange with FedEx for delivery (normally leaving a note on your door will suffice).
Restoring hormonal balance has many positive health benefits as well as helping to control symptoms of menopause.
When prescribed, hormone therapy is selected based on medical necessity, patient-specific factors, and shared decision-making between the patient and provider. Some hormone therapies may use bioidentical hormones, which are chemically identical to hormones naturally produced by the body and are available in FDA-approved formulations or, in some cases, through licensed compounding pharmacies. All therapies are prescribed and monitored in accordance with accepted medical standards and ongoing clinical assessment.
All hormone therapies, whether FDA-approved or compounded, may carry risks and benefits. Individual risk depends on factors including age, medical history, dosage, and duration of therapy.
What is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Through routine monitoring and hormone level adjustment and proper meal plan and exercise our goal is to make you feel your very best so that you get your life back to the way it used to be. Providing access to the proper hormones can help the body prevent or reverse many age-related issues. By using bioidentical forms of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms may be effectively addressed.
Bio Identical Hormones
Bioidentical hormones are defined by their molecular structure, which is identical to endogenous (naturally occurring) human hormones. Some bioidentical hormones are available in FDA-approved formulations, while others may be prepared by licensed compounding pharmacies.
Other hormone therapies may contain hormones with different chemical structures and are also used for accepted therapeutic purposes. FDA-approved hormone therapies have undergone regulatory review for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality for specific indications.
Common Symptoms of Perimenopause and Menopause
Perimenopause Symptoms
-
Loss of Libido
-
Inability to think clearly
-
Unexpected Weight Gain
-
Hot flashes, hot flushes, night sweats and/or cold flashes, clammy feeling
-
Irregular heart beat
-
Irritable or Moody, sudden tears
-
Trouble sleeping through the night (with or without night sweats)
-
Irregular periods; shorter, lighter periods; heavier periods, flooding; phantom periods, shorter cycles, longer cycles
-
Food Cravings
-
Crashing fatigue
-
Anxiety, feeling ill at ease
-
Feelings of dread, apprehension, doom
-
Difficulty concentrating, disorientation, mental confusion
-
Disturbing memory lapses
-
Aching, sore joints, muscles and tendons
-
Increased tension in muscles
-
Breast tenderness
-
Sudden bouts of bloating
-
Depression
-
Exacerbation of existing conditions
-
Increase in allergies
Menopause Symptoms
-
Loss of Libido
-
Depression
-
Irritable or Moody
-
Trouble sleeping through the night
-
Joint Inflamation
-
Hair Growth or Hair Loss
-
Anxiousness
-
Acne
-
PMS, Hot Flashes, or Sweating During Sleep
-
Heart Flutter
-
Breast Tenderness
-
Incontinence
-
Skin or Vaginal Dryness
-
Unpredictable Periods
Frequently Asked Questions About HRT for Women
What are hormones and why do I need them?
Hormones are an essential part of the metabolic process of living. Hormones are important for the cells, organs, and metabolism. Our hormones decline through aging, menopause, disease or trauma. When this happens, we begin an accelerated aging process. Loss of hormones is one of the major reasons for our deterioration as we get older, both physically and mentally. Hormones are beneficial at any age, but the best long-term protective benefits are achieved if hormones are replaced when you begin to lose them, usually in our 40’s.
How are bio-identical estrogen and progesterone produced?
Hormones that are identical to human hormones are found in yarns and soy. We call these “natural” because they are natural to the body. The hormones are extracted from these vegetables and then processed by a specialty compounding pharmacy into a prescription dose and form.
What are the signs of low Progesterone and what are the health benefits?
Progesterone is responsible for balancing estrogen and the female reproductive cycle. Deficiency results in symptoms of PMS, bloating, headaches, cramping, mood swings, breast tenderness, and irritability. A deficiency in progesterone can be a factor in frequent miscarriages. Progesterone is responsible for the physiologic equilibrium with estrogen. At menopause, women lose both estrogen and progesterone and both should be replaced. Progesterone replacement is important, even if you have had a hysterectomy because it does much more than just protect the uterus. Source: Neil Rousier, MD, 2015