Bio Identical Hormone Therapy for Women

Many women experience the effects of hormone imbalance as they age, some as early as age 35. No one can accurately predict when, or if these symptoms will occur and the extent to which they may impact the quality of your life.

There are key signals that should alert you to the possibility that changes you sense in your body may be related to depleted hormone levels. If you notice loss of libido, unexpected weight gain, forgetfulness, unusual mood swings, changes in the look and feel of your hair and skin, or just general fatigue and a lack of energy or drive, you are probably experiencing the unpleasant side effects of perimenopause or menopause.

Perimenopause is characterized by irregular periods, is more common in your mid to late 40’s, and can last for several years before periods stop completely during full menopause.

We believe the problem starts with a decline in the supply of natural hormones within the body. We solve the problem with hormones the body recognizes as being identical to the ones to which it is familiar.

Restoring hormonal balance has many positive health benefits as well as helping to control symptoms of menopause. Most doctors treat patients with synthetic drugs that have been known to have harsh and unpleasant side effects. In our clinics we perform thorough laboratory testing to specifically identify those hormones that need supplementation or proper regulation. We only prescribe bioidentical hormones that are produced to exacting standards by qualified professional pharmacies. These products are designed to mirror the hormones produced by the body.

What is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Through routine monitoring and hormone level adjustment and proper diet and exercise our goal is to make you feel your very best so that you get your life back to the way it used to be. Providing access to the proper hormones can help the body prevent or reverse many age-related issues. By using bioidentical forms of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms may be effectively addressed.

Bio Identical Hormones vs Synthetic Hormones

Natural, biologically identical hormones are derived from plants, such as the wild yam or soybean plant, and are chemically and functionally identical to human hormones. Because of this, they produce the same physiologic responses and are processed by the body in the same way as endogenous hormones (those made by the body).

Synthetic, or non-bioidentical hormones are those that are manufactured with a different chemical structure to those normally produced in the human body. As the body works to metabolize these foreign substances it can produce toxic by-products, which cause a wide array of side effects like bloating, mood swings, water retention, and more serious problems such as cancer and heart disease. Synthetic hormones have been shown to produce harm and side effects that are not seen with bioidentical hormones.

At Premier Solutions, we use an individualized approach to hormone replacement therapy. We assess each patient’s individual hormonal status using their medical history, symptoms, and lab work. We then implement a protocol individually tailored for that particular person. Therapy is then carefully monitored, and if necessary, modified or titrated in accordance with clinical and laboratory results.

Common Symptoms of Perimenopause and Menopause:

PERIMENOPAUSE SYMPTOMS

  • Loss of Libido

  • Inability to think clearly

  • Unexpected Weight Gain

  • Hot flashes, hot flushes, night sweats and/or cold flashes, clammy feeling

  • Irregular heart beat

  • Irritable or Moody, sudden tears

  • Trouble sleeping through the night (with or without night sweats)

  • Irregular periods; shorter, lighter periods; heavier periods, flooding; phantom periods, shorter cycles, longer cycles

  • Food Cravings

  • Crashing fatigue

  • Anxiety, feeling ill at ease

  • Feelings of dread, apprehension, doom

  • Difficulty concentrating, disorientation, mental confusion

  • Disturbing memory lapses

  • Aching, sore joints, muscles and tendons

  • Increased tension in muscles

  • Breast tenderness

  • Sudden bouts of bloating

  • Depression

  • Exacerbation of existing conditions

  • Increase in allergies

MENOPAUSE SYMPTOMS

  • Loss of Libido

  • Depression

  • Irritable or Moody

  • Trouble sleeping through the night

  • Joint Inflamation

  • Hair Growth or Hair Loss

  • Anxiousness

  • Acne

  • PMS, Hot Flashes, or Sweating During Sleep

  • Heart Flutter

  • Breast Tenderness

  • Incontinence

  • Skin or Vaginal Dryness

  • Unpredictable Periods

 Frequently Asked Questions:

What are hormones and why do I need them?

What are hormones and why do I need them?

Hormones are an essential part of the metabolic process of living. Hormones are important for the cells, organs, and metabolism. Our hormones decline through aging, menopause, disease or trauma. When this happens, we begin an accelerated aging process. Loss of hormones is one of the major reasons for our deterioration as we get older, both physically and mentally. Hormones are beneficial at any age, but the best long-term protective benefits are achieved if hormones are replaced when you begin to lose them, usually in our 40’s.

What are the typical hormones that are prescribed?

What are the typical hormones that are prescribed?

Synthetic estrogen (ie: Premarin) and progestins (ie: Provera) are produced in a laboratory. They are chemically altered so that they can be patented by the pharmaceutical companies. They are not identical to human hormones. They are designed to try to elicit the same responses in your body as your natural hormones. Because synthetic hormones are not identical to human hormones, they might adversely stimulate the cells and lead to side effects or cancer. Premarin is an estrogen obtained from pregnant horses and is not human identical. Provera is a progestin. Both have been implicated in causing problems in some women, including breast cancer.

How are bio-identical estrogen and progesterone produced?

How are bio-identical estrogen and progesterone produced?

Hormones that are identical to human hormones are found in yarns and soy. We call these “natural” because they are natural to the body. The hormones are extracted from these vegetables and then processed by a specialty compounding pharmacy into a prescription dose and form. The body better accepts and metabolizes these hormones as if it made them.

What are the problems with synthetic hormones?

What are the problems with synthetic hormones?

When first developed, synthetic hormones were well received because they provided some of the benefits of hormone replacement: controlling the symptoms of menopause and fighting osteoporosis and heart disease. However, the long-term results have shown that synthetic hormones sometimes elicit a negative metabolic response. Some women can tolerate synthetic hormones – often suffering from side effects such as bloating, bleeding or mood swings. In some patients, synthetic estrogens and progestins contributed to the development of breast and uterine cancer. Synthetic hormones are not a perfect match in the body. Synthetic hormones produce abnormal metabolites that can cause side effects and increase the risk of cancer. A natural hormone is a perfect fit in the body- it is a biologically identical hormone replacement.

Why doesn’t my gynecologist prescribe bio-identical hormones?

Why doesn’t my gynecologist prescribe bio-identical hormones?

Natural supplements such as vitamins and hormones are protected by federal regulation and may not be patented. A lot of what physicians learn is from the drug companies who are promoting their products. Therefore, your doctors are primarily taught only about synthetic products. Bio-identical hormones do not come under specific brand names. Your physician must be self-educated and experienced in prescribing and monitoring natural hormones. They probably just don’t know a lot about them or must prescribe within the constraints of your health insurance.

What are the signs of low Progesterone and what are the health benefits?

What are the signs of low Progesterone and what are the health benefits?

Progesterone is responsible for balancing estrogen and the female reproductive cycle. Deficiency results in symptoms of PMS, bloating, headaches, cramping, mood swings, breast tenderness, and irritability. A deficiency in progesterone can be a factor in frequent miscarriages. Research shows that natural progesterone stimulates bone-building osteoblasts, thus providing protection against osteoporosis. Progesterone reduces the mitotic change in breast and uterine tissue, thereby protecting against cancer. Progesterone is necessary for adequate sexual response, lubrication and vaginal vasodilation. Progesterone is responsible for the physiologic equilibrium with estrogen. At menopause, women lose both estrogen and progesterone and both should be replaced. Progesterone replacement is important, even if you have had a hysterectomy because it does much more than just protect the uterus.

Source: Neil Rousier, MD, 2015

 Treatment For Women:

WHAT IS INVOLVED IN STARTING BIOIDENTICAL HORMONE THERAPY?

You will fill out a brief medical history and a symptoms questionnaire when you have your lab work done. If you live out of town, we can arrange for your labs to be drawn at a location near you.

As early as 3 days after your lab work, we can see you for your initial consultation. We will discuss your symptoms, history, lifestyle and goals and also review the results from your blood work. From this, we will make recommendations for a course of treatment.

FOLLOW UP APPOINTMENTS

We require that you have a follow up appointment every 3 months during the first year of treatment. This is to ensure that your hormone levels are at the correct level and to ensure that your treatment is optimal for you. Prior to each follow up appointment you will be required to have your labs completed. After one year of treatment your follow up appointments will be every 6 months. Once you start your 3rd year you will only be required to follow up once a year. Any patients experiencing any discomfort or problems are strongly encouraged to contact us immediately. All of our patients are welcome to call our office at any time to answer any questions or concerns you may have.

PHARMACY

We have undergone a rigorous selection process for the compounding pharmacy that we utilize. Compounding pharmacies vary in the products that they produce and the quality controls in which they implement, therefore we utilize one compounding pharmacy for our hormones. All orders are shipped discretely directly to your home. Typically your order will ship out the day after you place your order. All orders are shipped FedEx. Patients will need to arrange with FedEx for delivery (normally leaving a note on your door will suffice).