BHRT stands for Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy. It's like giving your body a bit of a boost when it's not making enough of certain hormones. The special thing about BHRT is that the hormones we use are exactly the same as the ones your body makes. We don't use synthetic (man-made) hormones, we use bioidentical ones, which your body recognizes and can use just like the ones it produces itself.
Absolutely! The hormones used in BHRT are bioidentical, which means they're exactly the same as the hormones your body naturally makes. When BHRT is done correctly, there are little to no side effects. However, as with any treatment, it's important to talk to a health professional about your individual health situation to make sure it's the best option for you.
What can I expect from BHRT?
Every person's body responds a little differently, but many women find that they start to feel better after about 3 to 6 months. Some benefits you might notice include better sleep, more energy, improved mood, healthier hair and nails, and less body fat. Plus, many women say their skin feels more elastic (which means it looks younger and healthier!).
What are the benefits of BHRT?
BHRT can help improve many aspects of your life. It can increase your energy, improve your sleep, and even enhance your skin's elasticity. It can improve your mood and decrease irritability. You can also expect healthier hair and nails, a decrease in body fat, and an increase in your metabolism. In short, BHRT can help you feel like the best version of you!
BHRT can be beneficial for any woman experiencing symptoms of hormonal imbalance, like mood swings, body fat gain, low energy, poor sleep, low sex drive, and others. It can also help women who are going through menopause. It's especially helpful for women aged 30 and up, but particularly those between 40 and 60.
I've been thinking about testosterone. Can you add it to my prescription?
Right now, there's this tricky thing with federal mailing rules that stops us from adding testosterone to your prescriptions. But hang tight – we're on it and aiming to have that option available soon. In the meantime, have you heard of DHEA? It's this nifty alternative that might be right up your alley for naturally boosting those testosterone levels. If that sparks your interest, just let us know and we’re more than happy to help you explore adding DHEA to your mix.
If I take this medication, am I at risk of growing more body hair?
No one wants to be caught off guard with unexpected hair growth, right? At SLAE, we mainly dish out estrogen and progesterone. And when you take them just as your SLAE doc recommends, you shouldn't see a sudden forest of hair appearing. Overdoing it? Well, that's a different story, which is why it's super important to follow the plan.
About DHEA - think of it as our natural way to gently nudge your testosterone levels. No worries, the levels we prescribe aren’t going to lead to any surprise hairy situations. And just so we're clear, even though too much testosterone could cause extra hair growth, we aren't in the business of handing that out.
Oh, and here's something you should know for your peace of mind. Estrogen and progesterone can actually work wonders in rejuvenating your scalp hair, making it less brittle and dry. So, in a way, these hormones can be your hair's best friend
Will this medication make me have mood swings?
I totally get why you'd ask that! Menopause can be a roller coaster, right? A lot of those mood ups and downs come from your hormones taking a nosedive. But here's the cool part: by bumping up your hormone levels with what we provide, you should notice your mood, anxiety, and even feelings of depression getting a lot better. Everything we offer, like those yam-derived hormones and FDA-approved patches and tablets, are specially designed with you in mind. They're ace at dialing down mood disorders. So, rest easy – our goal is to help you tackle those mood swings, anxious moments, and bouts of blues.
How long do hot flashes typically last?
Each hot flash can vary, ranging from a brief 1-minute moment to a more prolonged 15 minutes. As for how often they occur, it could be just once a day or several times in an hour. It's quite individual. Now, if you're wondering about their overall duration, most women deal with them for an average of 10 years, but it's not uncommon for some to experience them even longer, spanning decades.
How does HRT help with your hot flashes? Well, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the top scientifically-backed solution for reducing both the intensity and frequency of these episodes.
I'm leaning more towards testosterone therapy; can SLAE help with that?
We understand your interest with testosterone. While we do offer testosterone, we are currently limited to select states due to federal restrictions. For those of you not in those states, we do have something that might interest you: DHEA. It's a safe and natural alternative that can produce similar effects to testosterone therapy.
Curious how DHEA works? DHEA is a pro-testosterone hormone. This means that once it's in the body, it has the ability to be converted directly into testosterone. So, when you introduce DHEA, your body processes it to produce testosterone naturally.
I've been munching on yams. Think that'll help with my hot flashes?
Oh, I see where you're coming from! But here's the scoop: While eating yams is tasty, it doesn't really boost your blood hormone levels. But get this: the hormones we provide? They're crafted from yams! Plus, you'll be glad to know they're FDA-approved, super safe, and effective. So, you're on the right track thinking about yams, just in a slightly different way!
I'm hesitant about hormone replacement therapy. Is it linked to cancer?
It's completely understandable to have concerns, especially with some of the misleading information that's been circulated. Much of the fear stems from outdated findings from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study, which began three decades ago. What's critical to note is that the WHI study used hormones sourced from horse urine, a far cry from what's used today! While some treatments might still use such hormones, at SLAE, we don't. We offer bioidentical, natural HRT derived from yams, which is both FDA approved and effective. Regarding HRT's link to cancer, there's good news. Current research indicates that bioidentical HRT might actually reduce risks of certain cancers, strokes, heart diseases, bone loss, and even diabetes.
Is this covered by insurance?
Unfortunately, no. We operate on a cash-pay basis.
If I change my mind, can I just cancel my subscription?
Of course! With us, you're never stuck. You can cancel whenever you want. No hard feelings.
How soon can I expect to notice a change?
Everyone's experience varies, but many women start to feel relief within the first few weeks of treatment. However, it's essential to remember that each individual's response can differ. Your SLAE doctor can provide a more personalized timeline based on your specific needs and situation.
Yes. As a matter of fact, jumping into HRT during perimenopause can be a game-changer. The earlier you embark on this journey, the better the results. Not only can it help curb that unexpected weight gain, but it's also been super effective in tackling other pesky perimenopausal symptoms. Plus, an added bonus: HRT has shown to help in warding off long-term health issues like diabetes, heart disease, and even certain cancers.
If I've been through surgical menopause, can this still work for me?
Absolutely! It's important for us to know specifics, like if you've had an oophorectomy or hysterectomy. But many women who've been through surgical menopause can benefit from HRT. Our intake process dives into these details and more to ensure our SLAE doctors can give you the best care. And don't worry, before any treatment is prescribed, your assigned physician is there to chat and answer any questions. Whenever you're ready, just reach out and we're here to help!
I'm trying to shed some pounds. Can your treatments help with that?
Oh, we absolutely get where you're coming from! Weight concerns often have a hormonal component. When it comes to treatments, HRT has been a game-changer for many in harmonizing those pesky hormones and seeing body changes. If you're curious or have any questions, just reach out to our SLAE team. We're here to guide you every step of the way!
I'm on progesterone birth control pills already. If I go with your estrogen prescription, will I need extra progesterone from you?
It's a common misconception! The progestins in birth control aren't the same as the progesterone in SLAE's HRT. Some ladies do notice a positive change in their symptoms when they add bio-identical progesterone to the mix.
Once I begin HRT, am I in it for the long haul? Is it just a temporary thing? How long would I need HRT?
I have lab work already. Can I use it for SLAE?
Yes! You may use pre-existing labwork rather than go through our labwork portal IF the labs were drawn in the last 90-120 days.
Additionally, the labwork MUST contain these values in order for our team to optimize your hormones (no exceptions!):
- CBC with differential
- Lipid panel with LDL/HDL ratio
- Comprehensive metabolic panel
- Estradiol (E2)
- Progesterone
- Full thyroid panel- TSH, free T3, T4 (must have FREE T3)
- DHEA-S (sulfate)
After completing your portal account creation, you’ll have the opportunity to upload your lab work if it meets these parameters and then schedule your 1-1 consult with our SLAE practitioner.
How are my hormones delivered?