Bio Hormone Replacement Therapy
The FDA has removed the black box warnings on many therapies that use to be contraindicated for Hormone replacement therapy. An astounding amount of research has been conducted to make sure that safety standards and efficacy in treatment are upheld. BIO hormone replacement vs hormone replacement therapies is much different. The pathways and processes in which Bio Identical hormone replacement therapy break down are identical to how the body’s natural process replicates are hormones. It is much safer, and our body responds in way that mimic our natural processes.
Our clinic treats men and women that are experiencing midlife hormonal changes.
Perimenopausal symptoms: typically surfaces in our 40’s causing irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood swings, anxiety, insomnia, brain fog, reduced libido, weight gain, joint pain, and symptoms can last for years. Labs can be with in “normal range,” but may be on the low end of normal. Symptoms are present, but physiological changes may not be able to be measured through significant lab changes. This can lead to patients lifestyle and relationships being altered significantly. It can lead to frustration, many institutions won’t even test hormone levels until cessation of the menstral cycle happens all together. By this time you’ve been dealing with symptoms for years.
Menopausal symptoms: typically occurs between 45-55 years of age, resulting from declining estrogen and progesterone, causing irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, sleep disturbances/insomnia, fatigue, brain fog, weight gain(especially in the abdomen area) loss of libido, painful intercourse, frequent UTIs, itching or burning, anxiety, depression, irritability, dry thinning skin and hair, breast tenderness, heart palpitations, joint pain, and the list goes on…
With textbook menopausal lab work, we will see that there is a rise in FSH(follicular stimulating hormone) as ovaries stop producing estrogen, the pituitary gland releases more FSH. Estradiol will be low. LH(Lutenizing hormone) will be high, similarly to FSH to compensate for reduced ovarian function. Progesterone is low and decreases as ovulation stops. Testosterone will fluctuate, but we often times see this trend low as well. Sometimes we can add this as a menopausal adjunct therapy to help with low libido, fatigue, energy, and memory fog.
Low testosterone symptoms(hypogonadism)- common symptoms include reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, depression, anxiety, decrease muscle mass, increased body fat, reduced bone density, diminished body hair, irritability, poor concentration, sleep disturbances, and brain fog. Peak testosterone levels are seen in men between the ages of 20-30 years of age, however diet, exercise, lifestyle, hereditary, and environmental factors all play a role in the healthy function of this hormone. Many men will be testing with in the low end of normal ranges, but be experiencing symptoms.
Our BHRT therapy program consists of quarterly visits with your licensed Michigan health care practitioner. They will monitor your labs and find a therapeutic dosage of BHRT to help you maintain optimal function and wellness. Positive changes can be seen by these BHRT therapies with improvement of symptoms as well as seeing lab values stabilize.
* It is important to note that our consults and programs are not covered by insurances. However, prescriptions are typically covered by insurance.
BHRT Initial Consults $500
Quarterly Visits $150
Lab Blood Draws Required are Variable