What Does Biote Do
Biote developed a Method that offers bioidentical hormone replacement therapy in the form of subcutaneous pellets. With more than 2.5 million insertions performed in the companys history in over a decade, weve seen many lives changed with optimized bioidentical hormones. If any of the hormonal imbalance symptoms mentioned above sound familiar, use our Find a Provider tool or Nominate a Provider tool to begin your journey to wellness today.
Views Of The Menopause Societies/regulators
The conventional regulatory view is that compounding can only be justified when a medicine has to be created because the strength, concentration, or dosage form that is required for a specific patient is not commercially available.
The 2015 NICE NG23 menopause diagnosis and management guideline 1.4.15 stated Explain to women that the efficacy and safety of unregulated compounded bioidentical hormones are unknown.
The 2016 Revised Global Consensus Statement of the key stakeholder societies1 , initiated by the International Menopause Society, advised that custom-compounded hormone therapy is not recommended because of lack of:
- rigorous safety and efficacy testing
- batch standardisation
- purity measures.
A BMS statement published online in 2017 stated Trustees and Members of the MAC of the BMS are concerned about the safety of unregulated bioidentical hormonal therapy which is being prescribed by clinicians who do not usually have any recognised menopause training and provided from compounding pharmacies.
What Is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is the use of hormones to help resolve symptoms related to hormonal imbalance or decline in hormone production tied to aging. Certain hormone treatments are called bioidentical or sometimes natural because the types of hormones used are chemically identical to those produced by the human body.
Specific hormones that BHRT aims to increase or balance include those tied to reproduction and youth, such as estrogen , progesterone, and sometimes testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone and adrenal hormones. During the years leading up to menopause, and then through this transition, a womans body produces less of these hormones , which may lead to symptoms like fatigue, hot flashes/night sweats, vaginal dryness and thinning bones. Various hormone therapy products are used to overcome these symptoms, some of which have been approved by the FDA and are available by prescription through health care providers, but many of which have not.
BHRT treatments include creams, lotions, injections, gels, sprats or tablets that have the goal of raising hormone levels back up to a more youthful state. Examples of popular bioidentical hormone replacement therapy products now on the market include Estrace, Premphase, Prempro, Activara and Vivelle-Dot, just to name a few .
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Bioidentical Testosterone: Potential Risks And Side Effects
Bioidentical testosterone has not been linked to an increased risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, or other serious medical condition. In contrast, numerous scientific studies suggest that non-oral formulations of bioidentical testosterone protect the health of breasts, heart, bones, and brain.
Testosterone pellet therapy is well tolerated, and few women report any side effects. A small number of women experience increased facial hair or acne, which often resolve with a decrease in dosage or other treatment. After experiencing the benefits of bioidentical testosterone, most women choose to manage any side effects in ways other than reducing their dosage.
Risks of testosterone replacement are mostly related to a synthetic oral drug called methyltestosterone the only FDA-approved testosterone medication available for females in the U.S. Compared to the testosterone produced by the body, methyltestosterone is a very different chemical compound, and it has very different effects on the body.
For more about hormone replacement therapy, check out our previous post on the topic, Here are the Safe & Effective Hormone Replacement Therapy in Tampa FL, which covers symptoms of hormonal imbalance and our approach to restoring a health balance. Dont accept the commonly held misbelief that feeling old and tired is a sign of aging. Its just a sign that your body doesnt have what it needs to feel young and energetic. And you can do something about it!
How To Get Help
ReVital offers free consultations where you can speak to one of our clinicians about ReVitals Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy. At ReVital, we can conduct simple blood tests to evaluate the levels of these hormones in your system and prescribe supplements or therapies to treat and control the majority of hormonal imbalances. We also encourage that you connect with your regular doctor about any changes in your health and moods.
ReVital gives you the balance you need to get back to you!
Current Locations
- 230 S 68th Street, Ste 1201West Des Moines, IA 50266 316-2226
- 2323 N Mayfair Rd, Suite 104Wauwatosa, WI 53226 662-9858
Current Locations
- 11704 W Center Rd, Ste 103BOmaha, NE 68144 875-5510
- 124 Chesterfield Towne CenterChesterfield, MO 63005 254-8057
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Licensing In Uk Medicines And Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency
Compounded bioidentical hormone replacement therapies are manufactured as creams, lozenges and vaginal preparations by Specialist Pharmacies which have proliferated both physically and online in the UK and abroad. These cBHRT products:
- Do not follow the same regulatory pathway of evaluation by the MHRA as conventional pharmaceutical products.
- Have not been through the rigorous process of drug development which conventional medicines and products such as rBHRT undergo.
- Have not been scientifically evaluated in controlled randomised clinical trials for effectiveness and safety against placebo or conventional HRT.
Treating Hormone Related Issues
Hormone related issues such as menopause, low libido and weight loss can be treated with BHRT. All of the hormones in BHRT are made from plant sources or from yams. These bioactive plant estrogens are referred to as phytoestrogens.
Phytoestrogens are not the same thing as estrogen however, they have a similar molecular structure to estrogen and therefore can interact with estrogen receptors on cells.
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More Common Bioidentical Estrogen Side Effects
Side effects of bioidentical estrogen usually occur when a first dose is given as the body is not accustomed to the new level of hormones. Many will dissipate with time.
The following is a list of some of the most common side effects:
- Swelling or rapid weight gain
- Vision or speech problems
In the event of suffering from any of these symptoms as a result of taking bioidentical estrogen, seek medical assistance as soon as possible.
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Summary Of Key Terminologies
cBHRT: Compounded Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy: Precise duplicates of human hormones which are produced by specialist pharmacies and do not follow the same MHRA regulatory pathway as conventional rBHRT
rBHRT: Regulated Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy: Precise duplicates of human hormones developed in a conventional way by the pharmaceutical industry and authorised by the regulators such as the MHRA in the UK
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Finding Hormone Balance And Improved Health
When given in appropriate doses bioidentical hormones are safe. If you are taking pellet therapy and not feeling better be sure to get a clear idea of what your levels are through out the treatment not just when the hormones are at the end of their cycle. If you have not tried hormone replacement therapy and are considering your options, you may want to try another form prior to having hormone pellet therapy. To get a personalized hormone replacement plan click on the link below.
Reference list Handelsman DJ, Mackey MA, Howe C, Turner L, Conway AJ. An analysis of testosterone implants for androgen replacement therapy. Clin Endocrinol 1997 47:3116. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2265.1997.2521050.x.
Kelleher S, Conway AJ, Handelsman DJ. A randomised controlled clinical trial of antibiotic impregnation of testosterone pellet implants to reduce extrusion rate. Eur J Endocrinol. 2002 146:5138. doi: 10.1530/eje.0.1460513.
11. Kelleher S, Conway AJ, Handelsman DJ. Influence of implantation site and track geometry on the extrusion rate and pharmacology of testosterone implants. Clin Endocrinol 2001 55:5316. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2265.2001.01357.x
Doesbioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy Work
Several experts affirm that BHRT works, but the results differ per person yield on factors such as symptoms and health history. Conduct an initial consultation with your provider to achieve the most efficient results. However, in most cases, healthcare providers recommend BHRT rather than traditional hormone therapy replacement.
It is also wise to keep in mind that the amount of time BHRT works also varies because some people already feel mild relief within a few weeks, but in most cases, it will take three months to take full effect.
Getting an efficient BHRT service is equally vital as looking for an efficient medical spa. In Forma Medical, you will get BHRT exclusively provided by their medical director, who is a board-certified internal medicine and cardiology specialist who has served Atlanta Metropolis for over thirty years.
With this, you do not have to worry about the service quality of your BHRT treatment! Contact the medical spa waiting around the corner and stop suffering from low hormone levels today.
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Do Bioidentical Hormones Really Work
Yes, they work for some people. You will have different results depending on your symptoms and health history. Talk with your healthcare provider about bioidentical hormones and what form may work best for you. In some cases, your healthcare provider may recommend against using bioidentical hormones in favor of a more traditional hormone replacement therapy option.
Why People Use Bioidentical Hormones
As people age, their bodies experience a decline in the levels of various hormones. These hormones are estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone. The drop in the level of these hormones can cause certain symptoms.
Some are common among women who are in their post-menopause phase. Common effects of reduced hormones are:
- Floggy thinking
- Loss of muscle mass
Hormone therapy is the treatment for these conditions as it replaces the hormones. After using hormone therapy, hormone levels rise, and symptoms improve as well.
Recommendations from national societies and medical experts state that people should consider the benefits and risks of both bioidentical and conventional hormones. Your physician can share with you the available options and guide you on what to use depending on what you prefer.
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How Common Are Bioidentical Hormones
The use of the compounded type is very common in the U.S. in women in menopause. The North American Menopause Society reports that about 1.4 million women are using this treatment. NAMS notes that that is 40% of all prescriptions for hormone therapy in women who are in menopause. The number of men using this treatment is not noted.
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Why Use Bioidentical Hrt
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy and treatment is used to help balance hormones. As you age, the levels of some hormones in your body will decrease, which come with a number of side effects. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can increase levels of estrogen, progesterone or testosterone as needed for your body to counteract the lower production rates. Some common side effects of lower hormone production that bioidentical HRT can treat are:
- Loss of interest in sex
- Painful intercourse
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Bioidentical Hormone Treatment Options
Some of the hormones that your body might not be producing sufficiently that can be replaced with bioidenticals are progesterone, estrogen and testosterone. Once you start on a course of hormone replacement, a doctor can monitor you carefully to see how the hormones are working and whether you need an adjustment based on your symptoms or other indicators. This monitoring can help our physicians stay on top of whether your dosage is right and/or change your treatment plan as needed.
Benefits And Side Effects Of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
The term bioidentical hormone replacement therapy sounds a little unfamiliar, right? Thats because this type of treatment is relatively new. Its a form of hormone therapy that utilizes hormones that are as similar to those normally produced in the human body as possible.
The idea behind bioidentical hormones is that they are more readily recognized by the body and thus produce fewer adverse effects than other types.
In the course of this article, we will be looking into the benefits and side effects of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.
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Young Women May Need Hormone Therapy Especially If They Feel Tired
Most women feel tired, especially after having kids. The problem is so pervasive throughout society, its expected and standard for women to feel tired. Except, its not normal or healthy. We interviewed HTCA provider Dr. Armi Walker, who explains it well in our interview with her .
Women should be able to experience a full and vibrant life, filled with energy and a good nights sleep throughout their entire lives, including going through menopause. Decreasing levels of hormones, particularly estrogen and progesterone, affect a womans energy.
Using BHRT to help a woman stabilize her hormone levels helps reduce highs and lows of fatigue and sleep problems. As a woman feels better during the day and gets a better nights sleep, she finds that she has more energy during the day. Having more energy allows her to take care of her family, be successful at work, and have time to take care of herself properly without sacrificing anything.
Of course, if a woman simply feels tired, society expectations almost require her to ignore it. Its up to the doctor to begin speaking to women of all ages who report feeling a little tired. Additionally, doctors should talk to their women patients about fatigue, even if they dont bring it up themselves.
Development Of Blood Clots
Blood clots are the clumps of blood the body forms in response to a blood vessel tear. The function of a blood clot is to plug the injured blood vessel so it stops bleeding. There are some diseases, types of therapy, and medications that can increase an individual’s risk of the inappropriate development of blood clots. These blood clots form when blood stops moving, or when it slows down in the blood vessels. Anything that stops the proper movement of blood through the vessels can increase an individual’s risk of developing a blood clot. Blood clots are concerning because they can break off and flow freely throughout the bloodstream. When blood clots become lodged in blood vessels that supply the heart, brain, or lungs, life-threatening medical conditions can occur. A blood clot that becomes lodged in vessels that supply the heart with oxygenated blood can result in cardiac arrest, and a blood clot that gets stuck in the brain’s blood vessels can result in a stroke. While this type of therapy alone increases the risk of blood clots by a small amount, an individual’s risk can considerably increase when bioidentical hormone therapy is combined with other blood clot risk factors, which include obesity, advanced age, smoking, bed rest, heart failure, and a sedentary lifestyle.
Discover more information about the side effects and risks of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy now.
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What Makes Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy Different
As the bodys main mechanism for cell communication, hormones control numerous processes, from growth and development to appetite and the immune system. Hormone deficiencies or imbalances, therefore, may lead to significant downstream effects on major systems of the body. A decline in hormones is most often correlated with age but can be brought on by other lifestyle or medical factors.
Two methods of treatment to restore or rebalance the bodys hormone levels is to replace them, either through synthetic hormone replacement therapy or bioidentical hormone replacement therapy . Both are considered effective, however, like many concepts in integrative and functional medicine, BHRT provides a method of restoring health that relies on the bodys natural processes to replace and rebalance depleted hormones.
Who Shouldn’t Take Bioidentical Hormones
Using any type of hormone therapy is a decision made between you and your healthcare provider after carefully weighing the risks and benefits. Bioidentical hormones have been controversial, and many are not FDA-approved, but that doesn’t mean your healthcare provider will rule them out as a treatment option.
If you’ve had or are at high risk for the following conditions, hormone therapy may not be safe:
- Memory loss or confusion.
Replacing these lost or low hormones is the goal of bioidentical hormone therapy or conventional hormone therapy. Once hormone levels are increased, most people see their symptoms improve. However, there is not much evidence to support that bioidentical hormones are equal to conventional hormone therapy. Your healthcare provider can discuss your options for hormone replacement with you based on your symptoms and health history.
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What Type Of Pharmacies Do We Work With At Biote
The bioidentical hormones that Biote Certified Providers use are custom-compounded. Biote trains our providers to work with highly specialized outsourcing facilities during every step of the bioidentical hormone replacement therapy process. The pharmacies providing pellets employ rigorous standards and practices to ensure the sterility and potency of every pellet batch distributed.
How Bioidenticals Help You
When your hormone levels are too low, you might find that you no longer enjoy sex as much as you used to or that you lack the energy that youd normally have. There are different types of hormone replacement therapy that may restore your hormone levels. We can explore options for improving your health using hormone replacement therapy with bioidenticals or other approaches. Bioidentical hormone replacement can offer a number of other benefits as well, including reducing the likelihood of developing cataracts or diabetes. It may even improve your skin elasticity and get rid of your wrinkles.
Our team at HerKare is here to listen to and understand your health care concerns. Contact us to discuss hormone replacement and any other health and wellness issues you may have. We want to make sure that you have the opportunity to feel your best.
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