Hormone Replacement Therapy Q & A
What is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)?
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) is a practice where we prescribe hormones in the exact same structure (“bioidentical”) that your body made in your prime. BHRT does NOT use synthetic hormones. This is very important to understand. Synthetic Hormone Replacement Therapy has specific associated risks, such as increased chance of stroke/heart attack and increased risk of cancers. None of these risks are associated with Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT).
Every cell in our body depends on hormonal stimulation for optimal cell repair and reproduction. When our hormone levels are too low, cell repair and reproduction is very compromised– as in normal aging. Replacing the needed bioidentical hormones enhances cellular repair and reproduction without risks, making each gland in your body function optimally, which is why Dr. Ramsey and her team call it Optimal Aging.
What are the symptoms of hormone imbalance?
Hormone imbalance can happen to anybody and is common as you increase in age. If you have the following signs or symptoms, hormone imbalance might be the culprit:
- Weight gain
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Pain
- Poor Memory
- Mood fluctuations
- Insomnia
- Hair thinning
- Lower muscle mass
- Low libido
- Erectile dysfunction in men
- Vaginal dryness in women
- Hot flashes in men and women
Increased risk for
- Dementia/Alzheimer’s Disease
- Cancer (specifically breast, uterine and prostate)
- Osteoporosis
- Heart Disease
What are the benefits of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy?
The benefits of BHRT can be summed up in 4 words: increased quality of life. Every day we successfully treat patients experiencing the symptoms and issues listed above. Without fail, our BHRT patients remark that bioidentical hormones have made a profound impact on their mental and physical well-being. We love to see our patients getting the most out of life–even as they age– while reducing risks of any number of diseases.
What if I have a family history of prostate or breast cancer?
You might find this surprising, but BHRT in both men and women actually reduces the risk of genetic weaknesses that lead to cancer. A family or personal history of cancer is not a contraindication for taking BHRT. In fact, men and women who take bioidentical hormones during their aging process have fewer risks compared to men and women who don’t. Dr. Ramsey will be happy to show you the studies to support this.
What should I expect during hormone therapy?
Prior to your first appointment we suggest that you visit our in-house lab (or the lab of your choice) to have your bloodwork done so that we can review the results and begin optimizing your aging process during the first visit. As you review your bloodwork results with Dr. Ramsey, you will have the opportunity to discover the difference in the hormone ranges that indicate Normal Aging and Optimal Aging. Dr Ramsey will work with you to determine a personalized BHRT plan and, once your hormone levels are optimal, bloodwork is repeated in 6 months and then annually after that.
