Sturgis Family Pharmacy is well know in the community and, our staff is routinely involved in advanced educational opportunities in the area of Bioreplacement Hormone Replacement Therapy ( BHRT also known as Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy) and improving compounding practices, assuring the finest quality product. Having a knowledgeable Clinical Pharmacist, Purvi Patel, PharmD, to consult with and recommend hormone testing is essential to finding the balance that is as unique as our fingerprint.
Many wonder if BHRT has been around for so long, why haven’t they heard of it? The answer is simple. Naturally occurring substances are not patentable. Therefore, patents cannot be obtained for bio-identical hormones (although their dosage form or delivery method may be patentable). When patents are not possible, funds cannot be raised to do large clinical studies. Regardless, there are hundreds of references and a growing number of experts practicing in this specialty field.
In the past few years we have seen controversy regarding women’s health issues. Recent studies on hormone replacement therapy are terrifying women. They are confused, scared and at the very least in the dark as to how to live their life with quality. Women and their health care providers alike must know that HRT and BHRT are NOT synonymous.
What is conventional HRT?
It is taking a hormone or hormones (often equine estrogens and/or synthetic progestins) and substituting them into the body prior to, during or post menopause. These hormones are created to mimic effects of hormones that are present in the human body, but they are NOT identical in structure or activity to natural hormones they replace.
What was the goal of conventional HRT?
Studies have shown that when our hormones begin to become unbalanced, our bodies become more prone to certain disease states. The goal was to provide women with the proper balance of hormones to reduce these disease risks. The idea has been to try to mimic what our body naturally produces and then to replace it, decreasing our risk of disease. As a result, for many years HRT has been synthesized and put into our bodies for long term use. The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) concluded: the “overall health risks [of HRT] exceeded benefits from use of combined estrogen plus progestins” (aka: conventional HRT). Though efforts have been well intentioned, they have not worked according to plan.
What is bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT)?
Bio-identical hormones are biologically identical to those made in the human body. They have the exact chemical structure and activity as hormones produced by our body before menopause. They are derived from yam or soy plants and have been chemically processed in a laboratory to become identical to what our bodies naturally produce. BHRT is customized therapy to fit each individual; one size does NOT fit all.
What are the goals of BHRT?
The goals of BHRT are to alleviate the effects caused by natural decreases in the production of hormones by the body. When we are supplementing hormones, we typically look at: estradiol, estriol, estrone, testosterone, progesterone, DHEA, pregnenolone and cortisol. Perimenopause symptoms frequently begin in a woman’s mid 30’s. BHRT is unique as it replaces the bio-identical hormones in the patient with customized doses to provide the positive benefits of hormone balance. The ultimate goal is to achieve and maintain the body’s natural hormonal balance.
Factors that must be taken into consideration when beginning BHRT
Xenoestrogens (pesticides, synthetic hormones fed to animals, plastics, cosmetics), obesity, high stress lifestyle, unhealthy diet and lack of exercise contribute to hormonal imbalance. In order to properly balance ones hormones individual lifestyle modifications need to be addressed. Our consultants can gain much of the needed information from the detailed questionaire as well as during the consultation to help you make the lifestyle adjustments necessary for proper hormone balance.
Estrogen Metabolism
Utilizing a Gene SNP (single nucleotide polymorphisms) test, you can find out if there is a problem with your detoxification pathways. The detoxification process is very nutrient dependent. Therefore, adequate nutrition is essential for effective detoxification of estrogen and other prescription medications and supplements.
Are you a prescribing physician?
Not only does Sturgis Family Pharmacy help physicians by supplying references and making therapy recommendations, we also offer informative lectures on the basics of BHRT. If you are a physician and would like to learn more, please click here.
If you would like us to add your name to a recommended* physician list, please click here.
Are you looking for a prescribing physician?
We can provide patients with recommended prescribing physicians in the area. Click here if you would like a recommendation. (please tell us what specialty area)
Why Should I see a BHRT Consultant?
If you have or have experienced a multiple of the followings symptoms:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Vaginal dryness
- Mood swings/memory lapses
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Decreased libido
- Panic attacks
- Palpitations
- Bloating
- Vaginal itching
- Lower back pain
- Indigestion
- Hair loss
- Frequent urination
- Migraines
- Were recently pregnant
- Suffer from post partum depression
- Infertility
If you are concerned about family history or non-family history disease(s) such as:
- Breast cancer
- Uterine Fibroids
- Extreme moodiness with periods
- PMS
- Osteoporosis
- Heart Disease
- Thyroid Disease
List of suggested references (available for purchase at Sturgis Family Pharmacy) :
- HRT-The Answers, by Dr. Pamela Wartian-Smith
- Iodine, Why You Need It, Why You Can't Live Without It, by Dr. David Brownstein
- Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrom, by Dr. James L. Wilson
- Salt Your Way to Health, by Dr. David Brownstein
- Overcoming Thyroid Disorders, by Dr. David Brownstein
- Overcoming Arthritis, by Dr. David Brownstein
Click here for information on our consultations