Are your Hormones in Balance?
Hormonal imbalances have created numerous illnesses for women including PMS , Fibroids, endometriosis, fibrocystic breast disease, breast cancer, heart disease, perimenopause, and menopause. By working with your provider, you can restore your body to the balance and health you are intended to have.
What is BHRT?
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is a layperson’s term for the treatment of the hormone deficiencies caused by menopause using only molecules that are identical to the endogenous hormones found in the human body. BHRT differs from traditional hormone replacement therapy which includes animal-derived and invented molecules that are similar to, but not identical, to human hormones.
“BHRT” is also used more generally to describe the practice of using only bioidentical hormones in the treatment of all hormone deficiencies, not just menopause.
Bioidentical hormone doctors can provide you with all of the safety information, answer all your questions, clear up all of your doubts, inform you about symptoms, hormone testing and provide the general guidance you need. You need to be fully informed before making the final decision.
A qualified doctor can provide the possibility of enjoying an active, happy and healthy life, by fighting all of the uncomfortable effects of menopause and hormone imbalance.
Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement
Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy is preferred over synthetic hormones because of its identical molecular structure to the natural hormones produced in the human body. BHRT is used to help men and women who may be experiencing changes in their hormones due to aging, disease, or any change in a person’s life style. There are many signs and symptoms that are caused by hormone imbalances such as:
■ Weight Gain ■ Mood Swings ■ Hot Flashes ■ Reduced Libido ■ PMS ■ Irregular Menstrual Cycles ■ Infertility ■ Painful Intercourse ■ Night Sweats ■ Memory Lapses ■ Osteoporosis ■ Insomnia ■ Fibrocystic BreastIs Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Natural?
Synthetic hormones are manufactured in laboratories rather than within a biological organism. This is why the molecular structure of synthetic hormones is different from that of hormones naturaly produced by the body. On the other hand, the hormones prescribed by bioidentical hormones doctors are natural hormones, extracted from plant sources, and thus are chemically the same as the hormones your body naturally makes.
Bio identical hormones are extracted from plant sources like soy and wild yams. They possess a molecular structure that is identical or “bio identical” to the hormones produced by our bodies. This is why they will not produce the unwanted side effects caused by synthetic hormones, nor do they increase the risk of any kind of cancer. On the contrary, they are extremely beneficial to the female body undergoing menopause because they provide relief from the uncomfortable symptoms experienced at this stage.
You need to be fully informed before making the final decision.
Bioidentical hormone doctors can provide you with all of the safety information, answer all your questions, clear up all of your doubts, inform you about symptoms, hormone testing and provide the general guidance you need.
A qualified medical professional can provide the possibility of enjoying an active, happy and healthy life, by fighting all of the uncomfortable effects of menopause.
Is Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Safe?
Menopause is a period of adjustment to lower hormone levels in your body. The purpose of all hormone replacement therapy is to replenish the hormones that your body might be lacking and help it reach hormonal balance. By restoring the proper levels of hormones, your body can deal with the problems experienced during menopause, such as night sweats, hot flushes, weight gain, mood swings, etc…
What is the difference between bio-identical and synthetic hormones?
Synthetic hormones are manufactured in laboratories, for mass consumption, in other words, one-pill-fits-all. Because they are synthetic and not natural, they can produce unwanted side effects like nausea, fluid retention, and dizziness. And there are also potential dangers like the increased risk of breast or uterine cancer
What is the cost of BHRT?
The staff of PicMed is dedicated to helping you achieve all the benefits of bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). Our medical providers will work with you to achieve the best hormone replacement therapy available for your specific needs.
Initial visit: You will need to fast 8 hours prior to your appointment. We will perform blood work
and then you will meet one of our BHRT providers and discuss your options.
Initial consultation and labwork $298.00 ($199.00 initial consult and $99.00 lab).
Follow up appoints at one month, 3 months and 6 month intervals $100.00
Each month, your cost of BHRT medication hormones is approximately $40-$100 / prescription which may be filed with insurance.
Estrogen Facts
Estrogen is a sex steroid hormone which is transported by the blood by a protein to appropriate sites. When estrogen finds a cell with the appropriate receptor it attaches itself to that cell and delivers its message.
Estrogen’s message to the target cells is normally to Grow and Multiply. Estrogen also influences other hormones in the body and it’s very important have estrogen levels in an optimal concentration levels. Estrogen affects moon and cognition, also the ability to think clearly. Clinical practice and studies done in rats show that to little or too much estrogen can cause changes in mood and cognition. Menopausal women have decreased estrogen levels and in may experience mood swings and poor concentration. This is also true of women with elevated estrogen levels. Estrogen must be present in a proper relationship to progesterone for women to function at their best and our BHRT program can help.
Functions of Estrogen
- Regrowth of Uterine lining
- Maintains vaginal and bladder tissue health
- Stimulates growth of breast cells
- Is responsible for female sex organ development during puberty
- Decreases bone breakdown
- Effects mood , cognition, and concentration
- Decreases thyroid function, which slows metabolism and increases fat storage
Progesterone Facts
The word progesterone is derived from two words , promote and gestation. It’s one of the key hormone in women of all ages . Progesterone strengthens the bones, protects the breasts, calms the nerves, promotes restful sleep and decreases fluid retention. As women progress through the menstrual phase of their lives, the natural aging process causes a decline in progesterone production. Inevitably they develop progesterone deficiency, also known as estrogen dominance. Progesterone provides an essential balance to the estrogen hormones. Contrary to conventional wisdom, women who have had a total hysterectomy benefit from progesterone supplementation because every cell in a woman’s body has receptors for progesterone, most importantly those in the brain.
Functions of Progesterone:
- Promote and maintain Pregnancy
- Diuretic: decrease water retention
- Increase thyroid function
- Natural antidepressant and anti -anxiety hormone
- Increase libido
- Decrease Uterine contractions
- Decrease estrogen receptor
- Promote cell maturation
- Decreases cell multiplication caused by estrogen
- Promotes normal cell death
- Decrease frequency of seizures
Perimenopausal and Menopause
Perimenopausal and menopausal women may also suffer from estrogen deficiency as well. In these instances, replenishment with bio-identical estrogen hormones in combination with progesterone is often beneficial.
Thyroid and Adrenal Function
Thyroid and adrenal function also decline as a part of the natural aging process. Fatigue, weight gain, depression, decreased mental sharpness, insomnia, joint and muscle aches and pains, loss of libido, hair loss, cold sensitivity, recurrent infections and elevated cholesterol are some of the classical symptoms of hypothyroidism or low thyroid.
Stress and Cortisol
The hormones secreted by the adrenal glands enable you to deal with stress caused by allergies, hormonal imbalances, low thyroid, injury or difficult life experiences. The chronic stress that many people experience on an ongoing basis in today’s fast-paced society may cause adrenal fatigue. When your adrenal glands become exhausted, your natural cortisol levels drop significantly. Cortisol is your naturally occurring stress hormone. Contrary to popular opinion, physiological levels of cortisol are essential for good health. Cortisol bolsters your immune system, increasing your resistance to infections and inflammation. Cortisol also promotes the assimilation of thyroid hormones and sex hormones by the cells of your body. Low levels of cortisol have been associated with lowered metabolism and a weakened immune system.
The adrenal glands also produce dihydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). This hormone enhances brain function, muscle tone and libido. Additionally, the adrenal glands produce pregnenolone.
Pregnenolone is the building block of all the adrenal hormones and exerts a powerful effect on the brain, enhancing memory. All of these hormones decline as we age, and their decreased availability causes symptoms that affect our quality of life. Measurement of these hormones can reveal deficiencies that we may then correct with supplementation.