Hormones are like ear-catching music played in a beautiful but sometimes discordant symphony. Each gland in the endocrine system is like an array of musicians, which create a unique sound in an orchestra. But, when the musicians play too soft or loud, too slow or fast, and they don't harmonize with the others, the sound produced by the orchestra may be annoying to the audience.
Hormones are like ear-catching music played in a beautiful but sometimes discordant symphony. Each gland in the endocrine system is like an array of musicians, which create a unique sound in an orchestra. But, when the musicians play too soft or loud, too slow or fast, and they don't harmonize with the others, the sound produced by the orchestra may be annoying to the audience.
As men or women grow older, the hormone levels in their bodies start to drop, resulting in unwanted changes, such as decreased energy levels, reduced libido, and increased stress. These changes may seem like an inseparable part of the aging process. Still, groundbreaking advances in medical science have given us the ability to reverse many of these undesirable changes by restoring depleted hormones and creating a newer, happier individual.
You may have heard that hormone replacement is a harmful therapy, yet your doctor says it is safe. You may get a second opinion from a homeopath who tells you that bioidentical hormones are safe because they are made from yams. Your mom told you scary stories of hormones causing cancer and strokes, but your best friend tells you hormones saved her marriage and her sanity, and you don't know what to believe. There are tens of other questions that may pop up in your mind.
Most women start to explores the idea of hormones and weigh their options for hormone replacement therapy when they start to experience perimenopausal symptoms at the end of their 4th decade of life. In general, menopause is the permanent cessation of menstruation due to the loss of ovarian function.
It is associated with various symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swing, irritability, anxiety, depression, vaginal dryness, low libido, emotional lability, poor concentration, and sleep disturbance, negatively affecting women's quality of life.
Postmenopausal hormone therapy (HRT) is a practical, well-tolerated treatment for menopausal symptoms.
At Vashan Compounding Pharmacy / Bioidentical Hormone Consulting, we answer your questions about bioidentical hormone therapy, helping you make your safest decisions. we also request blood work and saliva test for follow ups
contact us todayEstrogen and progestogens are the most common type of steroid hormones prescribed for hormone replacement therapy. These steroids can be classified into four major classes:
Class 'A' steroids are found in nature and are formulated into drugs without undergoing any chemical modification. For example, conjugated equine estrogen (CEE) extracted from pregnant mares' urine is the only HRT drug in this category.
Class 'B' steroids have the same chemical and molecular structure as hormones naturally produced in the human body. They are extracted from plant sources such as Mexican yam or soybean and undergo biochemical modifications to become identical to human hormones.
Class 'C' hormones are also found in nature. Still, unlike class B steroids, they are entirely synthesized from chemicals in chemistry labs, resulting in multiple isomers that make them not very potent or may rise unwanted side effects in the body.
Class 'D' steroids are designed and synthesized by chemists and have no similarity to natural humans' hormones.
Class B steroids are also known as Bioidentical Hormones (BHRT). These hormones have the same molecular and chemical structure and functionality as the hormones naturally produced in the body.
Like other medical treatments, hormone therapy has some risks depending mainly on the age of the patients, years of being menopause ( window of opportunity is open for couple of years after starting of menopause) and their medical histories, such as the history of breast cancer or blood clots and the class of the steroids used for the therapy.
Class A and D of hormones are mainly used in traditional or medical hormonal therapies. These hormones are not identical to the endogenous hormones produced in the body and may cause unwanted side effects. In a study in 2002, the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) revealed that using conjugated equine estrogen (class A) and synthetic medroxyprogesterone acetate (class D) hormones has increased the risk of cardiovascular disease and breast cancer in women compared to the control .
Most women start to explores the idea of hormones and weigh their options for hormone replacement therapy when they start to experience perimenopausal symptoms at the end of their 4th decade of life.
In general, menopause is the permanent cessation of menstruation due to the loss of ovarian function. It is associated with various symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swing, irritability, anxiety, depression, vaginal dryness, low libido, emotional lability, poor concentration, and sleep disturbance, negatively affecting women's quality of life. Postmenopausal hormone therapy (HRT) is a practical, well-tolerated treatment for menopausal symptoms.
One of our healthcare providers/ hormone consultant pharmacists at our compounding pharmacy will talk to you about your hormone deficiency or dominance symptoms and their effects on the quality of your daily life.
Then we walk you through our unique approaches to alleviate these symptoms and get your feet on the path of living your best life.
We start by connecting with your gynecologist or primary physician. Will check hormone blood levels and/or saliva test which will be used to design a customized or tailored treatment plan for you.
We will follow up by calling monthly to track your compliance with use of customized compounded prescriptions. If needed, we will tailor the treatment plan along the way for better results.
Typically, within couple of weeks those frustrating hot flashes and night sweats will disappear gradually and you feel better. Overall, the triangle of Patient-Physician-Pharmacist (PPP) will be performed at our Pharmacy for the best results.
request an appointmentHormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a medical intervention to restore the depleted levels of female hormones (estrogens) after menopause. HRT is the most effective approach to alleviate the symptoms of menopausal hormone deficiency, such as hot flashes, night sweats and low energy.
Bioidentical hormones have an exact biological-chemical structure to the hormones naturally produced in the human body. Due to this similarity, they can replicate the function of the body's natural hormones and have a high potency and safety profile compared to synthetic hormones. They are mainly extracted from natural sources and plants such as Mexican yam and undergo biochemical modifications (biotransformations) to become identical to human hormones. Bio-identical hormones include Estrone (E1), Estradiol (E2), Estriol (E3), Progesterone, Testosterone, Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and Pregnenolone
Compounded bioidentical hormones are formulated and customized based on the specific needs of each patient. These formulations are prepared after a thorough analysis of each patient's medical history and hormone levels. Every person has a unique body and will respond to therapy in a specific way; thus, close monitoring and medication adjustments are crucial.
BHRT comes in different varieties and formulations; but the forms that we compound are: Creams, Gels, Troches, Oral capsules, Vaginal creams, Vaginal suppositories. Based on your lifestyle and needs, the hormone specialist chooses the formulations that suit you the best.
Bioidentical hormone therapy is not only for women. Men can also benefit a lot from hormone replacement therapy. Andropause is a condition that affects every 1 in 200 men. Its symptoms are similar to menopause in women, including loss of energy, reduced libido, night sweats, and insomnia. For these patients, testosterone therapy is used to:Improve physical well-being and moodIncrease stamina and strength, andDecrease possible cardiovascular diseases risk
Weight gain is mainly due to a lack of hormones or high stress hormone (cortisol) in both men and women. In men, testosterone, and women, estrogen and progesterone are the hormones that regulate weight. Testosterone breaks down the stored fat, especially in the abdomen. Estrogen helps with appetite and craving for food, and progesterone converts fat into energy. When the levels of these hormones are low and not balanced in the body, weight management becomes hard. Thus, BHRT treatment that gets the hormones back on track ensures a more sustainable weight loss journey.
Bioidentical hormone therapy insurance coverage depends on your health insurance. Insurances may cover certain prescription hormone therapy costs that are primarily bioidentical. If you are a candidate for hormone replacement therapy, check with your insurance provider.
At Vashan Compounding Pharmacy/Bioidentical Hormone Consulting, we answer your questions about bioidentical hormone therapy, helping you make your safest decisions.
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