Complete balance between hormones is crucial. As we age, hormonal imbalances begin to manifest, making it difficult to manage the symptoms that accompany these internal shifts. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is a safe and effective form of integrative medicine used to treat a variety of conditions associated with these hormonal imbalances, including menopause.
BHRT is an individualized treatment. BHRT is a natural therapy that uses supplemental doses of hormones that are identical to the hormones that our bodies produce naturally to help restore hormonal balance within the body. Everyone is different. Each dosage is customized according to individual needs. Hormonal shifts in balance happen in both men and women, although in different ways, and more drastically experienced by women. The same hormones are used in female and male treatment, just not in the same doses. The hormones involved in BHRT generally include estrogen, progesterone, DHEA, cortisol and testosterone.
Many women experience discomfort when going through menopause. This is due to hormone imbalance and unstable hormone levels. Side effects can include loss of libido, insomnia, depression, lethargy, weight gain, migraines, and hot flashes. The hormones that can become imbalanced during menopause include estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), progesterone (P4), testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).
By working closely with your healthcare practitioner, our compounding pharmacists can create extremely individualized preparations. These preparations help balance your hormones and relieve the discomfort associated with menopause. We will create custom formulations that best suits your needs. These formulations are also administered at the lowest possible dose alleviating symptoms organically.
When we see clients for Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT), their complete medical history is always evaluated, and each patient will work closely with their compounding pharmacist. The way the BHRT is administered is to mimic the ideal activity of these hormones in the body. Examples of BHRT formulations for menopause include topical creams, oral capsules, sublingual tablets and vaginal creams — all of which can be altered throughout your treatment to successfully target your symptoms.
A condition that commonly affects middle-aged men is andropause, which is a decline in the hormone testosterone. This condition can lead to difficulty focusing, fatigue, lethargy, decreased libido, depression and erectile dysfunction. The psychological effects of this condition are also significant, as the previous symptoms can cause emotional stress and insecurities.
Many commercially available products on the market have limited doses and are difficult for patients to take. Custom compounded medications allow the patient to get the exact dose the doctor may want. We use quality ingredients from PCCA/Medisca to ensure that topical therapies are still cosmetically elegant as well as therapeutic. Topical therapies are beneficial as you don’t need as high a dose of oral meds. We use versapro cream which can mix well with most hormones and other medications.
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As part of a comprehensive and integrative approach to restoring hormone balance, our pharmacists will ensure that you are well informed on the risks and benefits of hormone therapy. We will also educate you on other available treatment options—prescription and non-prescription—as well as non-medicinal and alternative options. Our trained experts will discuss various lifestyle and dietary modifications that can aid in reducing the side effects associated with a hormonal decline.
Visit your local Pure Integrative Pharmacy to determine if Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy is right for you.
