Hormone Replacement Therapy
As women enter their 40’s and 50’s, their hormone levels begin to fluctuate and eventually decline, possibly causing symptoms, including:
• Hot Flashes / Night Sweats
• Loss of Libido
• Trouble Sleeping
• Mood Swings / Irritability
• Irregular Periods
• Weight Gain
• Vaginal Dryness
Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) may be the key to help relieve these symptoms and provide feel good agian. With a customized approach to hormone therapy, your hormone levels are precisely determined and the ideal replacement protocol of your choice is used to bring your hormones back to their proper balance.
The precise components of each person’s therapy need to be determined after physical examination, medical history, symptoms, and laboratory testing are considered. Hormone levels can be measured by using saliva hormone testing available through Medical Center Pharmacy.
This test measures your hormone levels and can indicate whether or not your hormones are in balance. By studying these results, our trained and knowledgeable pharmacists determine the right balance of BHRT to compound for you.
Then, with your healthcare provider’s prescription, your Medical Center Pharmacy compounding pharmacist can prepare your medication in a variety of strengths and dosage forms.
In order to help women better understand hormone replacement therapy, pharmacists Henry Herring, Beverly Clark and Lisa Bowling address your questions and concerns about menopause and the bio-identical hormone replacement options by providing personal hormone consultations. They will work with your physician in providing you with an individualized therapy regimen.
Bio-Identical Hormones vs. Non-Bio-Identical Hormones
Bio-identical hormones are hormones that are derived from natural plant material, such as the soybean or the wild yam that are chemically identical to those produced in our bodies.
Medical Center Pharmacy uses the highest quality of bio-identical hormones when compounding any hormone replacement therapy. The alternative to bio-identical is synthetic which may have a different chemical structure that what is produced by your body.
These chemical differences can mean that that the synthetic hormone may act differently in your body and produce different effects. Because bio-identical hormones are chemically and structurally identical to the hormones our bodies produce, the goal in BHRT is to achieve a hormone balance that will allow the patient to feel their best.
Does Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy require a prescription?
All compounded medications require a prescription.
Will my insurance cover Bio-Identical Hormones?
Many insurances will help pay for bio-identical hormone replacement therapy.
How do I begin Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy?
To begin a customized hormone replacement regimen, call Medical Center Pharmacy at 910.763.1896 to schedule a consultation with Henry Herring, R.Ph or Beverly Clark, R.Ph.
What takes place during a consultation?
During this meeting, the pharmacist will review your medical history form and symptoms. The pharmacist can make specific recommendations for bio-identical hormone replacement to your doctor for approval.
It may also be appropriate for saliva testing to be done to determine your present hormone levels. For further education on bio-identical hormones, sign up and join us for our next hormone seminar presented by Henry Herring, R.Ph. or Beverly Clark, R.Ph.
Medical Center Pharmacy
912 South 16th St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
Phone
(910) 763-1896
(800) 930-8785