Bioidentical hormones are synthetic hormonal medications engineered in a lab to have the exact same molecular structure as the hormones naturally produced by the human body. As a result, bioidentical hormones are considered to be completely natural and biologically identical to the hormones found in both men and women.
At Revive Hormone Clinic, we specialize in customized bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) using only the highest quality bioidentical hormones to help patients correct hormonal imbalances and deficiency symptoms. When hormone levels decline due to aging, stress, medical conditions, or other factors, patients often experience symptoms like fatigue, depression, anxiety, decreased libido, hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain, muscle loss, brain fog, insomnia, and more. By replacing deficient hormones with bioidentical hormones, a patient's optimal hormonal balance can be safely restored, thereby minimizing or reversing these symptoms.
Doctors who prescribe bioidentical hormones at Revive Hormone Clinic create customized BHRT regimens tailored to each patient's specific hormonal needs and health profile based on comprehensive lab testing and evaluation. We focus on achieving optimal balance between key hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, thyroid hormones, growth hormone, and others as necessary for that individual.
In this comprehensive overview of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, we'll cover:
We'll also provide recommendations on boosting your BHRT with lifestyle changes and highlight useful establishments and resources within the Midlothian area.
If you are considering treatment, we invite you to contact Revive Hormone Clinic for a free consultation with our bioidentical hormone specialist. We are committed to helping you look and feel your best by safely and effectively correcting any hormone-related deficiency signs or symptoms you may be experiencing.
Important: All information provided about bioidentical hormones and hormone replacement therapy is for educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Please consult with your doctor to determine if BHRT is appropriate for your specific needs.
There are several key reasons why hormone levels naturally decline as part of the aging process:
The natural decline in bioidentical hormones causes various signs and symptoms that can negatively impact quality of life. Understanding the most common deficiency symptoms makes it possible to detect and treat imbalances early on.
There is a wide spectrum of deficiency signs ranging from irritating to debilitating in severity that both men and women may experience as their hormone levels drop below optimal ranges. The most frequently reported symptoms include:
The wide range of deficiency signs makes a strong case for having hormone levels proactively tested by an endocrinologist specializing in female hormones or a bioidentical hormone specialist even in the absence of overt symptoms. Identifying and treating imbalances early provides the best opportunity to minimize long-term effects on health and quality of life.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) corrects hormonal decline and deficiency symptoms through methods that mirror the body's natural processes. There are a few key aspects of how BHRT works:
The key bioidentical hormones involved in BHRT protocols include:
* Declining estrogen levels cause symptoms like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, insomnia, mood swings, brain fog, and fatigue * Estriol, estradiol, and estrone bioidentical hormones replace what the ovaries no longer produce * Restored estrogen levels relieve menopausal symptoms and urogenital atrophy
* Progesterone works synergistically with estrogen to regulate menstruation and support pregnancy * Imbalances between estrogen and progesterone increase risk of uterine cancer * Bioidentical micronized progesterone safely balances the estrogenic effect
* Testosterone regulates libido, muscle mass, bone density, motivation, and cognitive function in both genders * Declining free and total testosterone levels cause symptoms like fatigue, depression, low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, and loss of strength * Testosterone therapy boosts energy, sexual performance, mental acuity, muscle retention and more
* DHEA provides the raw material for making sex steroids like testosterone and estrogen * Supplementing low levels with bioidentical DHEA tablets or creams sustains youthful hormone production
* Thyroid hormones T3 and T4 regulate metabolism, body temperature, heart rate, appetite and digestion * Hypothyroidism causes stubborn weight gain, fatigue, sensitivity to cold, hair loss, and many other symptoms * Balancing T3/T4 levels treats the underlying cause - not just masking symptoms
While oral and topical bioidentical hormones are commonly prescribed, subcutaneous hormone pellet implants placed under the skin also deliver sustained hormone levels over 4-6 months without daily administration required.
Now that you understand why hormone levels decline and the proven benefits of correcting deficiencies using bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, let's examine how the treatment process works from start to finish at Revive Hormone Clinic.
Bioidentical hormones are chemically identical to those naturally occurring in the human body. However, while often marketed as "natural," they are typically synthesized from plant sources in a lab to create the exact human hormone molecule structure. So they're not actually extracted directly from natural substances.
The medical experts at Revive Hormone Clinic leverage an endocrinology approach focused on precision balancing of all key hormones for optimal health, not just isolated estrogen or testosterone replacement. There are four main steps we follow with each patient:
All bioidentical hormone therapy begins with an in-depth personal and family medical history review, discussion of symptoms, and full physical examination. Any deficiency red flags are noted and preliminary diagnoses made if applicable.
We also address lifestyle factors at this first meeting, including:
Improving lifestyle habits will amplify the benefits achieved through bioidentical hormone replacement. Suggestions are made when appropriate to set patients up for the best possible treatment outcomes.
In order to develop fully customized regimens, diagnostic blood tests provide objective data on a patient's hormone levels and identify any metabolic, nutritional or organ function abnormalities contributing to deficiencies and symptoms.
Testing panels check key hormone and biomarker levels from the:
Testing may require multiple blood draws timed strategically around the menstrual cycle for premenopausal women.
All laboratory testing performed or ordered by Revive Hormone Clinic is fully covered by all major insurance providers. Uninsured patients receive significant cash pay discounts off the retail cost when paid day of service.
After the comprehensive review of a patient's hormonal balance, medical history, symptoms, and lifestyle, our bioidentical hormone specialists develop customized BHRT regimens designed to return all pertinent hormone levels back to optimal ranges.
Common bioidentical hormone replacement protocols include:
Additional medications, supplements, or lifestyle changes may also be part of the treatment plan depending on what each patient requires to achieve full hormonal balance and relief from deficiency symptoms.
Follow up consultations finalize all aspects of the therapy timeline, including:
Approximately 4-6 weeks after beginning any new BHRT protocol, patients have follow up blood tests and a consultation to evaluate progress on restoring target hormone levels and improving deficiency symptoms. This visit also serves to monitor for potential side effects and make dosage adjustments to refine the precision of the regimen if needed.
Most patients feel significantly better within 6-8 weeks but achieve maximal benefits in 3-6 months as their hormonal environment normalizes. Periodic testing continues indefinitely to ensure proper hormone balance is sustained long term.
The team of endocrinologists and bioidentical hormone specialists at Revive Hormone Clinic partner closely with patients throughout the entire process from diagnosis to customized treatment to ongoing monitoring and care. Our precision balance approach delivers life-changing results our patients rave about.
Revive Hormone Clinic founder Dr. Cynthia Ellis is a board certified Ob-Gyn physician with specialized advanced training in endocrinology, anti-aging medicine, and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. With over 28 years of experience practicing precision balancing to optimize hormone levels, Dr. Ellis teaches other providers best practices for BHRT via seminars, conferences, and one-on-one training in her Midlothian clinic.
Our nurses and medical assistants have worked in specialty women's health, hormone therapy, and functional medicine for 5-10 years on average. Ongoing professional education keeps them at the cutting edge of recent advancements in testing, safety, and emerging delivery methods for bioidentical hormones.
Revive Hormone Clinic also partners with a compounding pharmacist to produce high quality customized bioidentical hormones not available from commercial manufacturers in the precise strengths and combinations each patient requires.
In summary, our bioidentical hormone specialist qualifications include:
We have helped over 5,000 patients correct deficiency symptoms, boost vitality, and improve enjoyment of life via customized bioidentical hormone replacement. Our expertise translates to superior real world results that keep patients returning and referring friends or family struggling with hormonal imbalances.
After understanding why hormones decline and how replacing deficiencies with bioidentical hormone therapy resolves unpleasant symptoms, a logical question is: "Are bioidentical hormones actually safe and effective in clinical practice?"
The short answer is a resounding YES - when administered correctly under a doctor's supervision based on testing and monitoring, treatment with bioidentical hormones provides significant benefits and an excellent safety profile.
Let's review just a few statistics about BHRT efficacy and safety:
So in summary, peer reviewed medical literature validates that balancing hormones with bioidentical hormone replacement provides considerable symptomatic relief, increased vitality, and longevity - all with minimal risks.
Now that you understand the proven value of bioidentical hormone therapy, let's shift our focus to recommendations that can maximize your success specifically within Midlothian.
While the hormones themselves deliver tremendous benefits, certain lifestyle optimization strategies can dramatically amplify the improvements in energy, mental clarity, body composition, sexual performance, and overall wellbeing that patients experience when working with Revive Hormone Clinic.
We assess current habits and offer suggestions during the initial consultation and throughout therapy when appropriate. Top recommendations include:
* The Midlothian Farmers Market has excellent locally-grown produce * Consume dark leafy greens, grass fed meats, wild caught seafood, nuts/seeds, fruit, beans, and healthy fats * Stay adequately hydrated daily
* Explore 150 miles of hiking/biking trails through Midlothian parks and recreation areas * Join fitness classes at the Lifetime Athletic or Gold’s Gym * Seek functional training at CrossFit Predestined or MODality Fit * Stick to 30-60 minutes most days for balanced aerobic, strength, and flexibility
* Turn off TV/devices an hour before bedtime to boost natural melatonin production * Keep the bedroom completely dark and cool * Use white noise apps if ambient neighborhood noise is an issue * Prioritize 7-9 hours nightly for hormonal balance
* Practice yoga, tai chi, breathwork, or meditation using excellent local studios (Agama Yoga
