How can BHRT help me?

Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy

Suzanne Somers has brought the subject of bio-identical hormone replacment therapy, known as BHRT, into the spot light. In her books, The Sexy Years and her most recent, Breakthrough, she describes how bio-identical hormones have helped her achieve amazing anti aging results and relieved her menopausal symptoms.

Everyday, millions of women suffer uncomfortable disabling symptoms associated with the hormonal imbalance of pre-menopause and menopause. This hormone imbalance may be causing you to feel depressed, anxious, fatigued, sexless, generally ill...or just feeling under the weather.

The signs of menopause and related hormonal issues include:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Fatigue
• Weight gain
• Mood swings
• Depression

• Trouble sleeping
• Vaginal dryness
• Loss of sex drive
• Urinary incontinence
• Irritability
• Loss of muscle

Many women don't have access to the health care needed to get better and thrive. This is where I can help you, by offering hormone treatments that combine diet, exercise and the essential bio-identical hormone medications that are taken in a topical cream form.

What Are Bio-identical Hormones?

A bio-identical hormone is defined as a hormone that is identical in structure to the hormone produced by your body. These hormones are obtained from sterol analogues found in many varieties of plants, primarily the wild yam. These estrogen, progesterone and testosterone-like compounds are then transformed to human bio-identical natural hormones.

Bio-identical hormone therapy otherwise known as natural hormone replacement therapy is safe, effective and generally free from side effects caused by synthetic hormones. Synthetic hormones like Premarin™, Prempro™, Provera™ and Estratab™ are not bio-identical compared to human hormones. For example, Premarin™ is from a natural source (pregnant mares' urine) but it contains hormones found only in horses and is therefore not natural to the human body.

The great appeal of bio-identical hormones is that they are natural, and our bodies can metabolize them as it was designed to do, minimizing side effects. Synthetic hormones are quite strong and often produce side effects. The compounded bio-identical hormone medications that I offer can be matched individually to each woman's needs — something that's impossible with mass-produced synthetic hormones.

After treating hundreds of women I have come to the conclusion that the inevitable decline in hormones does not have to be part of “normal aging” and that standard HRT protocols involving synthetic hormone cause more problems then they are worth. Many women diagnosed with depression do better with bio-identical hormone therapy instead.

Potential Benefits of Bio-identical Hormone Therapy:

• Increased bone mineral density
• Better hair, nails and skin
• Improved sexual desire
• Improved cognitive function
• Increase ability to cope with stress
• Decreased heart disease
• Improved blood sugar and insulin levels
• Reduction of fat levels
• Increase self assurance and confidence
• Improved mood and well-being

How Do I Get Started With Bio-identicl HRT?

Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy must be customized for each woman following an extensive evaluation with blood tests and a thorough history and physical. Only after a thorough review of symptoms and history along with a specific lab test can an effective regimen be designed.

You may contact me if you are interested in getting more information on getting the lab tests to properly diagnose your hormonal status.

When the lab test results are in you will then follow up to discuss the importance of good nutrition, fitness and lifestyle choices in your journey to better health with bio-identical hormones.

Eating healthy and exercising are important aspects of a successful bio-identical hormone therapy or hormone replacement therapy (HRT). If your hormones are out of balance, your body will not optimally respond to improved nutrition and exercise. As your hormones, nutrition and fitness, improve – you should begin to feel like your old self with improved vigor, vitality and results.

Bio-identical HRT Case Study

Grace was a 49-year old woman who had menopausal symptoms. We ordered a complete hormone panel and after her evaluation we changed her diet to low-glycemic foods with good sources of lean protein and plenty of vegetables and fruit. We added pharmaceutical grade daily vitamins and recommended that she continue with her gym membership and keep on exercising 3 – 4 days a week.

We placed Grace on a specially compounded cream consisting of bio-identical estradiol (a form of estrogen), and progesterone. She was also HGH deficient, so she also opted for an injectable HGH treatment.

Five weeks later she came back for a check up and a follow up blood test to measure her hormones. “I feel fantastic,” she said, and explained that she hadn't felt this good since her late twenties. She said that her friends, family and husband had noticed a big difference in her and the hormone replacement was one of the best things she had ever done!

A year later Grace still feels great. She follows her diet and exercise program religiously, takes her hormones and follows the protocol faithfully. Her most recent hormone panel shoes that her hormones are all in balance and are completely optimized.

Not every patient is as easy to help as Grace. She put a lot of work in at her end with her discipline and commitment and it paid off big time. In some patients we have to adjust the dose 3 to 5 times to get it right and sometimes have to adjust the diet and exercise program. There is no one-size-fits-all and no recommended amount here because we are all different. And that's the key to it all. Individualized hormone optimization programs that combine diet, exercise, nutritional supplements and bio-identical hormone medications all work together to ensure better vitality, health and quality of life.

Call my office to set up an appointment or email me 815-476-5210 or jones.gretchen@gmail.com