About Us | Compounding | Services | Products | Helpful Links | Contact Us
Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy
Compounding pharmacists are meeting the needs of peri-menopausal and menopausal women and men (andropause) by use of bio-identical hormones. These hormones are appealing to patients because they help to mend a hormonal imbalance with hormones that are identical to those produced in the human body. A compounding pharmacist can tailor a hormone regimen, which mimics what a female's body has been doing for the past 50 years or so. All women are not the same; therefore, a compounding pharmacist can add value by preparing the medication to "fit" the patient with the appropriate dosage strength and form. For male patients, supplementation of the basic hormone testosterone has shown to be an effective treatment for most men experiencing andropause. The compounding pharmacist, working in triad with the patient and her physician, can start and maintain bio-identical hormone replacement. Hormones can be placed in a variety of dosage forms including: capsules; topical creams; suppositories and sublingual troches or lozenges. As the patient works with her physician and compounding pharmacist, she can choose the dosage route and strength that is most beneficial and pleasing to her.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Menopause is not a single point in time when the ovaries are switched off for good, but occurs in stages over the span of a woman's reproductive life. It's a transition that begins and ends with female fertility, and in the process, reshapes the way we think, feel, act, and grow into our "second adulthood," the approach encouraged in the pivotal book on menopause, The Silent Passage.
There are basically three stages of
menopause:
Pre-Menopause--The PMS Years
Women in their 30's should have fairly regular
cycles, but increasingly, younger women do not ovulate regularly.
Linked to extremes in exercise and stress, dieting, toxins and contraceptive
use, many young women suffer from a myriad of symptoms of PMS, or more
serious disorders like endometriosis and infertility. Severe symptoms
in these years may be seen as a warning sign of hidden hormone imbalance,
well before the end of periods.
Peri-Menopause--The Rollercoaster Years
In the years approaching menopause, women start to
have erratic cycles as estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate between
highs and lows, dozens of times a day. This hormonal roller coaster
takes women on a wild ride through life in "The Menopause Zone." Now
is the time when the search for symptom relief begins in earnest!
Post-Menopause--The
Progesterone Poor Years
Once a woman has gone at least 12 months without a period she
is said to be officially in menopause! At this point, estrogen
levels have dropped approximately 40 to 60%, but without ovulation,
progesterone output drops to nearly zero! Contrary to the notion of
menopause as an "estrogen deficiency disease," it is often marked by too
much estrogen relative to progesterone. Defined by John Lee, M.D.
as "estrogen dominance," this is a hallmark imbalance of the menopause.
How can I find out if I'm in
menopause?
Night sweats may be the defining moment for some, but
not all women experience menopause in the same way, unique as we are in
body, mind, and lifestyle. First, determine your symptoms with the
checklist above; then have your hormones tested with a "saliva test."
A saliva test is the most reliable way to measure free, "bioavailable"
hormone activity--hormones actually doing their job at the cell level.
Most blood tests do not measure bioavailable
hormone levels.
Why saliva testing?
Saliva hormones more accurately reflect tissue uptake and
response of hormones delivered through the skin in cream, gels, or patches.
Saliva collection is painless! There are no needles! It negates
the need for blood drawing, which often causes stress that can alter test
results by itself. Saliva hormone testing costs less than blood
testing. Saliva collection is easy and can be done any place at your
convenience.
I'm in menopause, now what?
Menopause is the imbalance of hormones, so the key is
help is to get them balanced. Furthermore, we know that hormones work
in tandem with a healthy mind and body. Determine if you need to
supplement your hormone replacement therapy and if so, do so with
bio-identical hormones. Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT)
uses hormones that have a molecular structure that is identical to hormones
that are naturally produced by the human body. In order for
replacement hormones to fully replicate the function of hormones which were
originally naturally produced and present in the human body, the chemical
structures must match exactly. Bio-identical hormones are chemically
processed from precursors found in yams or soy plants, yet they are
identical to the hormones produced by the human body. These hormones
are able to follow normal metabolic pathways so that essential active
metabolites are formed in response to hormone replacement therapy.
Bio-identical
hormones offer women an alternative to products that are commercially
available. To learn more, call to set up a personalized consultation with
one of our pharmacists who specialize in hormone replacement.
Andropause -- "Male Menopause"
Men go through a change in a
decline of hormones just as women. Many of these changes are
age-related and are affected by the decline of testosterone (androgen).
Treatment and symptoms vary for men as for women. Some of those
symptoms are:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Most men go through these changes at a slower and more subtle pace than women. Often times, because these symptoms appear over time, andropause is misdiagnosed by physicians and men are not aware of this condition.
Natural treatment for andropause is a viable solution and men can experience a reversal of many of these changes. Statistics show that it is estimated that 20% of men age 60-80 have levels below normal. Andropause is correctly diagnosed with a complete laboratory test and included with evaluation of history and symptoms.
For additional information on andropause and testosterone replacement therapy, contact one of our compounding pharmacists.
Our mission is to promote collaborative relationships with the public and other healthcare professionals to build a healthier community by providing excellent service, products, and education. We strive to constantly strengthen our role and position as excellent healthcare providers through compassion, integrity, expertise, and innovation.
© 2006 Precision Compounding
Pharmacy
The Kelley Building, 2113
State Street, Suite 3, New Albany, IN 47150
812-941-9300 | 812-941-9417 fax | 1-866-941-9301 toll free
_______________________
Home | About Us
| Compounding |
Services | Products | Helpful Links |
Contact Us |
Site Map
website by Loyd Consulting