Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy for Women
Am I a Candidate?Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy for Women in Cincinnati, Ohio
Restore Your Balance.
Women typically start experiencing hormonal changes around the age of 35. These symptoms may continue to worsen as a woman ages. From loss of interest in sex and vaginal dryness, to decreased concentration, poor energy levels, hot flashes, night sweats, and insomnia; we are all impacted differently. Women no longer need to suffer from these debilitating symptoms.
Bio-identical hormone therapy for women refers to hormones that are structurally and chemically identical to our endogenous (or natural) hormones.
The Goal of Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy (BHT)
Hormone optimization / hormone therapy for Women in Cincinnati can help with many of the symptoms of hormonal decline but also can reduce and sometimes even help reverse many diseases associated with aging. There is a lot of published data showing how some hormones reduce the risks of: cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, macular degeneration, cataracts, improves immune function and lowers cholesterol.
Benefits
Testosterone Benefits
Contributes to muscle mass, strength
Decreases fat
Increases exercise tolerance
Enhances sense of well-being
Increases libido
Supports a healthy cardiovascular system
Lowers cholesterol
Reduces blood sugar
Increases bone density
Estrogen Benefits
Protects against heart disease and stroke
Increases bone density
Reduces risk of Alzheimer’s disease
Protects against vaginal atrophy (vaginal dryness)
Helps with urinary incontinence
Treats hot flashes and night sweats
Progesterone Benefits
Prevents Estrogen dominance
Promotes breast health (along with Testosterone)
Protects against uterine cancer, breast cancer, fibrocystic disease
Helps women relax and sleep better
We prescribe hormones in the form of topical creams, injections or pellet therapy. We use both traditional FDA approved and compounded bioidentical hormones. Progesterone, when indicated, is usually given as an oral capsule or sublingual route. There are pros/cons to each method.
We will discuss with each patient which option is best for their individual needs. We do not prescribe oral Estrogen or testosterone due to the increased risk of blood clots, including stroke, pulmonary embolism and heart attack. We also do not prescribe long term use of synthetic progestins for menopausal management (Provera, Prempro, Activella etc) due to overwhelming data in the medical literature showing the risks with progestins.
Testosterone +/- Estradiol pellets are placed with a local anesthetic, through a 3 mm incision in the hip or buttocks. The procedure is done here in our office by one of our providers in about three minutes and is relatively painless. You will leave the office with adhesive tape covering the wound. This will be removed in four days. Benefits are usually enjoyed within two weeks and last for approximately 3-4 months for women. We ask that you do not participate in any intense exercise for 2-3 days, as well as avoid soaking in water (bathtub, swimming pool) for 3 days.
Advantages include:
- Testosterone/Estradiol is delivered in a slow and steady fashion
- Mimicks the body’s inherent physiology
- Superior results
- Enhanced compliance (insertions 3-4 times a year)
- No risk of transfer of hormones to family members
- Hormone Levels monitored via blood-work
For those women who do not need/desire estrogen therapy, testosterone injections may be an option. Testosterone injections are self-administered (1-2 times a week) into subcutaneous fat (typically the belly or “love handle”) in the comfort of your own home.
Advantages include:
- No downtime due to a pellet procedure
- Little or no pain at the injection site
- Hormone levels monitored via blood-work
- No risk of transfer of hormones to family members
Estrogen/Progesterone/Testosterone cream is self-administered on a daily basis to the skin in the comfort of your own home.
Advantages include:
- No needles or procedure required
Process & Results
Hormone Optimization
Step 1.
The Consultation
Your initial consultation with one of our providers for Hormone Optimization Therapy for Women in Cincinnati will begin with a thorough look into your past medical and surgical history, family history, and current medications, with specific attention paid to the symptoms you are struggling with.
Step 2.
Tests
Next, we will obtain several blood tests to look at your sex steroid hormone levels, other hormones which can contribute to endocrine disruption, and serum markers to get a better picture of your overall health, including a complete blood count, and vitamin D level. Additional testing is available on request. The consultation and associated blood work is billed to your insurance company.
Step 3.
Follow Up
We will see you back in the office in 1 to 2 weeks, review your test results and initiate therapy if appropriate. We will discuss FDA approved (traditional HRT) and bioidentical compounded hormone therapy and the pros and cons of each. Diet, exercise, lifestyle modifications and optimal supplementation are all discussed as an important part of this therapy.
Step 4.
Results
Most women start to notice improvement in symptoms approximately 3 weeks after starting hormone therapy in Cincinnati with an improvement in libido/vasomotor symptoms at that time. Overall sense of wellbeing, mood and effects on quality of life occur at 3-4 weeks after initiation of therapy. Improvements in lipids, CRP (marker of inflammation) and visceral fat usually occur after 6-12 months of therapy.
How long do I continue BHT?
You can stop Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy for Women in Cincinnati at any time, which will cause your hormones to drift back to your pre-treatment levels. Hormone deficiency symptoms and propensity to develop disease will return. There is no age limit on treatment. Though uncommon, patients as young as 25 (such as those with PCOS and severe PMS) as well as women in their 70’s or older, have had wonderful benefits with this therapy.
Take our quiz and find out if HRT is your solution!
Hormone optimization for women and men can have a profoundly positive impact on our health and well-being. Certain factors like your age, health events, and even stress levels affect your hormone levels.
TAKE OUR QUIZ TO see IF YOU ARE A CANDIDATE FOR HRT!
Videos
Hormones & Hormone Therapy
Not Just the Sex Hormones
Options for Hormone Therapy
Sexual Wellness Options
How to Have Better Sex
HealthiHer™ Podcast
#23 Testosterone isn't just for Body Builders
There are a lot of pre-conceived notions regarding how much testosterone a woman needs. Continued…
#20 Are Hormones a Marketing Ploy?
Dr. Brenner addresses the why behind using bio-identical hormones to treat a range of conditions. Continued…
#15 How Hormones Got a Bad Rap
Discover where the misinformation regarding hormone therapy started . Steve Goldring and Dr. Amy Brenner talk about where some myths started and why. Continued…
Treatments that pair well with Bio-Identical Hormones
Paired Treatments
Pairing treatments can get you dramatic results
Combining treatments can be the answer to getting the most out of your hormone optimization in Cincinnati. Depending on your goals, sometimes other treatments may be needed to optimize overall quality of life. When you pair bio-identical hormones with treatments in our practice, you can get results that last longer or occur more quickly than stand alone treatments. When you come in for your consultation, your provider can speak to you about combining your treatments.
Frequently Asked Questions.
If I take Bio-Idential Hormones, will all my symptoms resolve?
Is Bio-Identical hormone therapy covered by insurance?
What are the side effects of estrogen and/or testosterone therapy?
Schedule a Consultation
It's simple— identify the problem areas of your body and we will recommend the right treatment plan for you.