Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy

What is BHRT?

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) involves using hormones that are chemically identical to those the human body naturally produces. Unlike synthetic hormones, bioidentical hormones are derived from plant sources and are designed to mimic the structure and function of natural hormones, ensuring better compatibility and fewer side effects.

Why Consider BHRT?

As we age, our bodies produce lower levels of essential hormones like estrogen, progesterone,
and testosterone. This hormonal imbalance can lead to various symptoms, including:

• Hot flashes and night sweats
• Mood swings and depression
• Fatigue and low energy levels
• Memory and concentration issues
• Decreased libido and sexual dysfunction

BHRT can help restore hormonal balance, alleviating these symptoms and improving overall
quality of life.

Our Integrative Approach to BHRT

At our integrative medicine clinic, we take a comprehensive approach to BHRT, combining conventional medical practices with natural therapies to ensure optimal results. Here’show we do it:

1. Personalized Assessment
   • Detailed medical history and symptom evaluation
   • Comprehensive hormone testing to identify imbalances
   • Lifestyle and dietary assessment to understand factors affecting hormone levels
2. Customized Treatment Plans
   • Individualized Hormone Formulations: Based on your specific hormonal needs, we create tailored bioidentical hormone formulations, ensuring precise dosing and balance.
   • Compounding Pharmacy Collaboration: We work with reputable compounding pharmacies to ensure the highest quality and purity of bioidentical hormones.
3. Natural and Supportive Therapies
   • Nutritional Support: Recommending a balanced diet rich in phytoestrogens, healthy fats, and essential nutrients that support hormone production and metabolism.
   • Herbal Supplements: Utilizing herbs to complement hormone therapy and alleviate symptoms naturally.
   • Lifestyle Modifications: Encouraging regular exercise, stress management techniques, and adequate sleep to support overall hormonal health.
4. Ongoing Monitoring and Adjustments
   • Regular follow-up appointments to monitor hormone levels and assess treatment effectiveness
   • Adjusting hormone dosages and formulations as needed to ensure optimal balance and symptom relief
   • Continuous support and education to empower you to take charge of your hormonal health
5. Holistic Wellness Integration
   • Mind-Body Connection: Incorporating practices like yoga, meditation, and mindfulness to reduce stress and promote hormonal balance.
   • Detoxification Support: Implementing gentle detoxification protocols to eliminate environmental toxins that may disrupt hormone function.

Benefits of Our Integrative BHRT Approach

• Enhanced Symptom Relief: Combining BHRT with natural therapies ensures comprehensive symptom management and improved quality of life.
• Individualized Care: Personalized treatment plans tailored to your unique hormonal needs and health goals.
• Holistic Health: Addressing the root causes of hormonal imbalances and promoting overall wellness through an integrative approach.
• Safety and Efficacy: Utilizing high-quality bioidentical hormones and evidence-based natural therapies for safe and effective treatment.

BHRT we Recommend:

Progesterone (Bio-Identical): Progesterone is secreted by the adrenal glands, the ovaries, the brain, and in time of pregnancy, in the placenta. It is used in nature to balance the effects of estrogen. Natural progesterone allows women to feel much better than they do on any of the synthetic progesterone and it is less likely to cause the side effects of synthetic products such as bloating, swelling, breast tenderness, bleeding, irritability and depression.

Studies show Micronized Bio-identical Progesterone May Protect Against:

• Uterine Cancer
• Breast Cancer
• Osteoporosis
• Fibrocystic disease
• Ovarian Cysts

Estrogen (Bio-Identical): Estrogen refers to Estrone (E1), Estradiol (E2) and Estriol (E3). They are the three Estrogenic hormones secreted by the ovary. There are three basic forms of estrogen: Estradiol 10-20%, estrone 05-20%, and estriol 60-80%. Of the three, estradiol is the most physiologically and biologically active. Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy is comprised of either two (Bi-est) Estradiol and Estriol or all three estrogens (Tri-est) using a bio- identical formula that your body recognizes as it would it’s own. Topical Estriol face cream (0.6% to 1.5%) is used to treat Hirsutism, excess facial hair around lip, jaw and neck in women.

Studies show Micronized Bio-identical Estrogens May Protect Against:

• Strokes
• Osteoporosis (increases osteoclasts)
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Urinary tract atrophy
• Vaginal dryness atrophy
• Poor body fat distribution

Compounded Thyroid (Bio-Identical): The thyroid gland is considered “Metabolism Central”. This butterfly-shaped gland effects energy regulation in every cell, organ and tissue in the body. It regulates temperature, metabolism, and cerebral function. It also increases carbohydrate, lipids, and proteins breakdown resulting in weight loss as well as lower cholesterol. Thyroxine T-4 is actually a prohormone and a reservoir of triiodothyronine T-3.Triiodothyronine is the most powerful thyroid hormone affecting almost all bodily mechanisms.Compounded thyroid medication supplements T-3 as well as T-4, corrects deficiencies of Thyroid hormone and return you to optimal levels.

Thyroid hormone is known to protect against:

• Fatigue
• Low body temperatures
• Colds and other viruses
• Weight gain
• Dry skin
• Headaches
• Depression and mood swings

Pregnenolone (Bio-Identical): Pregnenolone is a hormone that keeps our brains working at peak capacity. Research has shown that pregnenolone improves memory, mental function, concentration and overall well-being. Pregnenolone should be prescribed in a sustained release micronized form to assure adequate absorptions and more importantly assures a pure grade supplementation devoid of any contaminants.

Pregnenolone is a Precursor to other Hormones

• Improves cellular repair
• Enhances memory and learning
• reduced PMS symptoms
• Boosts immune function
• Protects cerebral function
• Protects against neuronal injury
• Can be used to treat autoimmune disorders

DHEA (Bio-Identical): Dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, is a natural steroid prohormone. It is produced from cholesterol by the adrenal glands, testes in men or ovaries in women, and the brain. In both men and women, the body’s production of DHEA increases dramatically before puberty. DHEA levels usually peak when we’re in our mid-20s, and decreases with age. Normal levels of DHEA are 200 to 400 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dl) in women, and 500 to 700 mcg/dl in men. By the time we hit our 40th birthday, most of us have DHEA levels below 200.

DHEA is known as a Natural Antioxidant that may:

• Restore Immunity
• Improve Memory
• Improve Energy
• Slow the aging process
• Positively affect depression and anxiety
• Improve psychological and physical aspects of sexuality

Pregnenolone (Bio-Identical): Pregnenolone is a hormone that keeps our brains working at peak capacity. Research has shown that pregnenolone improves memory, mental function, concentration and overall well-being. Pregnenolone should be prescribed in a sustained release micronized form to assure adequate absorptions and more importantly assures a pure grade supplementation devoid of any contaminants.

Pregnenolone is a Precursor to other Hormones

• Improves cellular repair
• Enhances memory and learning
• reduced PMS symptoms
• Boosts immune function
• Protects cerebral function
• Protects against neuronal injury
• Can be used to treat autoimmune disorders

Testosterone for Men (Bio-Identical): Testosterone is secreted mainly from the testes of males and is primarily considered the male hormone. As this declines with age, there are health and appearance problems that accompany this loss. A “natural” form of testosterone is simply called micronized and may be prescribed in topical or oral formulation. Studies report men may experience:

• Increased bone density, formation, minerals
• Increased energy
• Improvement in sexual function
• Decreased body fat
• Increased muscle strength
• Decreased heart disease

Testosterone for Women (Bio-Identical): Healthy women naturally produce small amounts in the ovaries. It helps control a women’s libido and also may be known to enhance the
functions of estrogen.

Studies report women adding prescription ordered testosterone may experience:

• Enhancement of sexual drive
• Relief of menopausal symptoms
• Restoration of energy
• Strengthening of bone