Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy
Graceful aging is the goal for all women, both inside and out. Doing this naturally, offers symptom relief without the danger of side effects and addictive medications.
How to tell if your hormones are out of balance? Are you experiencing any of these symptoms? Weight gain, Dry skin/hair, Anxiety, Depression, Mood Swings, Fatigue, Loss of Memory? These and many more symptoms can be attributed to an imbalance in your hormones – something you can alter by using individually made compounded hormone creams and medications.
What is Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy is a treatment used to augment the body's natural hormone levels, either in the form of estrogen-alone therapy (ET), for women who have had a hysterectomy (or surgical menopause) or as estrogen with progesterone therapy (EPT), for women who experience menopause naturally at midlife.
In addition to thickening the lining of the uterus to prepare it for egg implantation, estrogen — in tandem with progesterone — serves many functions. It helps the body to process calcium (important for the strengthening of bone), aids in maintaining healthy cholesterol levels, and keeps the vagina healthy.
With the onset of menopause, however, the amount of natural estrogen and progesterone the ovaries produce drops sharply. That, in turn, can lead to such symptoms as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, mood changes, and sleep problems.
It also can boost the risk of osteoporosis. By replenishing the body's estrogen supply, HRT can help relieve menopause symptoms and guard against osteoporosis.
Researchers have studied custom-compounded creams made from plant-derived hormones that are biochemically similar to those produced by the body. A preparation contains one or more various hormones in different amounts to meet each woman's individualized needs.
Custom-compounded hormones have been gaining favor ever since a large government-funded study known as the Women's Health Initiative linked the long-term use of conventional hormone replacement therapy in menopausal women to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and breast cancer. But there have been few well designed studies showing the custom-compounded hormone preparations actually work.
The research suggests that these compounds "can make remarkable changes in a woman's life," says Kenna Stephenson, MD, of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler. "Individualized hormonal treatments are just what women need," she tells WebMD. Stephenson presented the new study at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2008.
The pharmacist typically places the cream in plastic syringes that contain the precise amount a woman needs each day, she says.By a year later, women who were taking compounded hormones reported significantly less depression, anxiety, and pain. They had fewer hot flashes and night sweats. Their quality of life improved. Blood pressure and triglyceride levels fell. Levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and other markers of harmful inflammation in the arteries that can lead to blood clots dropped as well.
How it works
Working with our hormone specialist compounding pharmacist, Keith Del Prete, RPh – you fill out the attached Confidential Hormone Evaluation and bring this to your first appointment. This appointment will take approximately 45 mins to 1 hour. Keith will discuss the process in depth as well as your symptoms and goals. This consultation cost $60 to be paid to Newhard Pharmacy upon arrival.
At the end of this appointment, Keith will provide you with information to bring to your physician, either your OB/GYN or PCP, your choice. We will be working closely with your doctors as they write the prescriptions for the monthly medications. You will also receive a home collection saliva kit by ZRT. Following the included instructions, you send this kit, along with $130 processing fee to ZRT for analysis.
Within 7-10 days, your results are sent directly to Keith and he will reach out to you personally to schedule another appointment. There are no fees associated with this appointment which takes 15-20 mins to review and explain the findings. Then, your physician is contacted either by you or us with the recommended prescription for your compound. Once this prescription is received, the product will be made and you will be contacted as soon as it is ready. Free Delivery locally or by mail is an option
One month’s supply of hormone compound cream is typically $50-$70. Some insurances do cover these compounds, we will work with you to check your costs in advance if requested.
Our goal is to diminish or eliminate your unpleasant symptoms and improve your quality of life. With this in mind we encourage you to communicate to Keith any changes, questions, or concerns during your hormone therapy.
