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Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormone
Replacement Therapy
HRT
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Do you feel “run down” or lack the energy you feel you should have?
Do you feel that your sex drive or ability is not what it used to be?
Do you experience mild depression occasionally?
Are you over 35 years of age?
Have you developed the “middle-age spread” in gaining weight?
Do you have difficulty falling asleep or sleep too much?
Do you feel that your sex drive or ability is not what it used to be?
Do you experience mild depression occasionally?
Are you over 35 years of age?
Have you developed the “middle-age spread” in gaining weight?
Do you have difficulty falling asleep or sleep too much?
Do you feel “run down” or lack the energy you feel you should have?
Do you feel that your sex drive or ability is not what it used to be?
Do you experience mild depression occasionally?
Are you over 35 years of age?
Have you developed the “middle-age spread” in gaining weight?
Do you have difficulty falling asleep or sleep too much?
If you feel the above statements, for the most part, apply to you,
you may be in need of appropriate hormone replacement therapy.
Managing Menopause or Andropause the Natural Way
There has been tremendous controversy in recent years as to whether hormone replacement treats the symptoms of Menopause or the male equivalent Andropause. Almost all of the recent studies have produced conflicting results, but the end analysis is predominantly negative. It is crucial to understand that all of these studies pertain to the use of Synthetic Hormone Replacement, known as HRT. This method could be defined as the replacement of the missing hormones with look-a-like chemical substitutes.
There is one constant fact that all clinicians do agree on; our body’s production of all hormones decline as we age. A large variety of symptoms can be caused or felt by the loss of these hormones. This is most easily seen in Menopause in which medicine has recognized for many years however the male counterpart, Andropause, is now being recognized as well. Hypothyroidism and Diabetes Type II are the result of insufficient hormones as well. Modern medicine is exploding with the realization of the important role our body’s hormonal system plays.
What are Hormones?
To answer that question as briefly as we can, they are hormones that are identical in molecular structure to the hormones your body used to produce but is not making in sufficient quantity anymore. Lack of these crucial hormones causes a wide array of symptoms. Replacement of these hormones with exact replicas from natural products brings your body back to its normal “feel good” state.
Why is this happening now, when it wasn’t a problem 20-40 years ago?
There are a large number of reasons why our own hormone production has declined rapidly in the last 20 years or so. Some of the more prominent reasons are:
1. Contamination of our food supply with artificial hormones in beef, chickens, pork, etc.
2. Pesticides that are absorbed into our food chain.
3. Parabens, the preservatives that are in our everyday toiletry items such as shampoo, deodorant, and make-up are really hormone imitators that easily get transferred into our bodies transdermally and alter your body’s balance.
4. Plastics, one of our most commonly used products of the modern world, contain Parabens, so even drinking bottled water adds to these imitators to your body.
5. Using plastics in microwave ovens can also cause these hormone imitators to get into the food you cook.
1. Contamination of our food supply with artificial hormones in beef, chickens, pork, etc.
2. Pesticides that are absorbed into our food chain.
3. Parabens, the preservatives that are in our everyday toiletry items such as shampoo, deodorant, and make-up are really hormone imitators that easily get transferred into our bodies transdermally and alter your body’s balance.
4. Plastics, one of our most commonly used products of the modern world, contain Parabens, so even drinking bottled water adds to these imitators to your body.
5. Using plastics in microwave ovens can also cause these hormone imitators to get into the food you cook.
The environmental causes can be endless, but there are also other normal bodily processes that cause our hormone production to decline.
1. Aging. There is anywhere from 2-4% less hormone production per year. Low Testosterone
2. Surgical reasons such as hysterectomy, ovary removal, removal of the thyroid or any hormone producing gland, etc.
3. The hormone system in our bodies is a delicate system that needs to be in a state of balance for you to feel right. If just one hormone gets out of “whack” for any reason at all, there is a domino effect that causes many other hormones to become insufficient or over abundant.
1. Aging. There is anywhere from 2-4% less hormone production per year. Low Testosterone
2. Surgical reasons such as hysterectomy, ovary removal, removal of the thyroid or any hormone producing gland, etc.
3. The hormone system in our bodies is a delicate system that needs to be in a state of balance for you to feel right. If just one hormone gets out of “whack” for any reason at all, there is a domino effect that causes many other hormones to become insufficient or over abundant.
Probably one of the most intriguing reasons is the “Miracles of Modern Medicine”. This is important because our life expectancy has increased dramatically over the past 40 years. We now can expect to live 75-80 years on the average. While due to the environmental factors discussed above, the decline of our hormones is happening at a much earlier age, sometimes in the early 30’s. That leaves a huge discrepancy from when we lose our natural hormone supply of up to 50 years. To put this in perspective, 40 years ago we lost our hormones close to the time of our average life expectancy. The loss of these hormones was not felt.
Why is it important to replace these hormones?
Forty years ago our bodies did not have enough time to feel the effects of hormone loss such as osteoporosis, all the symptoms of Menopause and/or Andropause. The latest research is also indicating that replacement of these vital natural hormones help to prevent the development of some cancers, cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer’s, and Type II Diabetes. Some studies have even suggested that the lack of natural hormone supplementation may shorten one’s life span. Research is ongoing, and most studies are showing positive outcomes toward longevity, improving the quality of life, ridding your body of the discomforts of Menopause or Andropause.
FAQs
Synthetic hormones are made from plant progesterone and animal estrogens, but are not identical to the hormones the body makes. Synthetic hormones can be toxic because their chemical makeup cannot be properly metabolized.
Bioidentical hormones are an exact chemical match to the hormones naturally produced in the human body. They are made from soy, yams and other plant extracts.
For women suffering from the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, bioidentical hormones can alleviate hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, memory loss, mood swings, weight gain, and low libido. For men experiencing andropause (male menopause), bioidentical hormones can help with weight gain, decreased libido, fatigue, stress, low energy, loss of muscle mass, and increased body fat.
There are few side effects because bioidentical hormones have the same molecular structure as the hormones made naturally by the body. If the dosage of hormone is too high, side effects can occur. We closely monitor each patient to ensure proper hormone dosage.
No. When prescribed and monitored by educated, licensed health professionals, bioidentical hormones do not pose the increased risks that synthetic hormones do.
Each individual is unique. It depends on a number of factors including how well one’s body responds to bioidentical hormone therapy, as well as the individual’s diet, exercise habits, sleep patterns and stress levels. Some people can decrease and eventually eliminate various hormone treatments once they become balanced and experience fewer symptoms of menopause or andropause.
Because everyone is unique, it varies with each person – which hormone therapy is being used, as well as what the individual’s diet, exercise habits, sleep patterns and stress levels and so on are. Some individuals will experience relief from symptoms immediately, with the majority of patients typically experiencing symptom relief within three to six months.
Not usually. In fact, some medications can be reduced or discontinued.
While the ingredients in bioidentical hormones such as estrogen, progesterone and testosterone are approved by the FDA, the FDA does not approve any compounded products because of the lack of standardization. It is important to use the highest quality compounding pharmacy and ensure that they follow the most stringent guidelines and have excellent quality assurance.
A compounding pharmacy is a specialized pharmacy that prepares customized medications prescribed by a licensed practitioner. The quality of the ingredients used, the expertise of the pharmacist and the quality of customer service are all critical decisions when choosing a compounding pharmacy. Pointe Medical Services uses its own compounding pharmacies that have a proven track record of safety and reliability. Click here to visit our compounding pharmacy
Unlike synthetic hormones, compounded bioidentical hormones have a few important advantages:
- Compounded bioidentical hormones are made specifically for you in the exact dose recommended by your doctor based on your physiological needs.
- Compounded bioidentical hormones are made at the time they are prescribed, reducing the need for unnecessary additives such as fillers, binders and preservatives.
Yes. Bioidentical hormones are medications that are made in a compounding pharmacy and require a prescription from a licensed practitioner.
We only use the serum (blood) testing method. To ensure accuracy when determining sex hormone levels, thyroid function, and others, we will draw several vials of your blood. We use specific hormone testing facilities which ensure consistent, reliable results.
Serum (Blood) Testing – Unlike salvia testing, serum testing measures the amount of hormones in the blood. Serum hormone testing identifies the amount of “free” hormone, or hormone that can easily enter a cell, and “total” hormone, or hormone that is attached to other substances in the blood stream, and sometimes a combination of both free and total hormones. This type of testing has been shown to be accurate and the results of serum hormone testing are very reliable.
Each person is biologically different, so we offer a variety of delivery methods to ensure proper uptake including sublingual hormones, hormone cream, and injectable hormone. Our doctor will prescribe the method that best fits your specific needs.
Cost will vary based on a number of factors including what type of testing is recommended, which hormones you are prescribed, and your insurance provider.
*Note: Be cautious when analyzing cost differences from one clinic to the next, as some who advertise set prices do not include follow-up testing. We only recommend tests that are pertinent to your specific situation and will truly tailor individual protocols on a patient-by-patient basis.Absolutely! We take many insurance providers including:
- Aetna
- Ambetter
- Avmed
- Beechstreet
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Cigna
- First Health
- Great West
- Humana
- Medicare and most Medicare Replacement Plans
- Oscar
- PHCS
- Railroad Medicare
- Tricare Standard/Prime
- United Healthcare
- And many more…
Request an appointment today or call Pointe Medical Services today to schedule your initial consultation. Call 904-621-8041. One of our expert physicians will spend time with you to review your medical history, physical and emotional symptoms, as well as answer any questions and address your preventive health concerns.
At your initial consultation you will have your blood drawn and sent to our blood lab or your insurance company’s lab. The results will provide Dr. Bernard, or one of his practitioners, with the information they need to address any hormonal imbalance. Your physician may begin some Rx treatments at your initial office visit, dependent upon your age, health history and overall assessment needs. At your follow-up visit Dr. Bernard, or one of his practitioners, will review your labs and discuss the results with you, and will customize a plan of immediate action including nutrition, fitness and, if needed, bioidentical hormone therapy with possible further laboratory assessment.