A BETTER SOLUTION
Many men and women experience significant changes in their health associated with aging and typical for every stage of life. Many of these health problems are associated with hormone imbalances that can be overcome with natural therapies or HRT (hormone replacement therapy), whether it be using traditional or bio-identical hormones. Hormones are powerful chemical messengers that circulate throughout the bloodstream to specific target cells where they generate biological responses. Women have traditionally used “synthetic” estrogens and progestins (traditional HRT) to protect against osteoporosis and heart disease. These “synthetic” hormones offer some protection against heart disease and osteoporosis but have many unwanted side effects. Because of these side effects many women abandon traditional HRT very soon after starting. This has led to a strong interest in the use of bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT).
WHAT ARE BIO-IDENTICAL HORMONES?
Bio-identical (BHRT) hormones are derived from natural plant sources to produce molecules which are physiologically identical to hormones made in the human body. Bio-identical hormones are processed from precursors found in yams or soy plants, yet they are identical to the hormones produced by the human body.
Hence the term “bio-identical plant-derived hormone.” These hormones are able to follow normal metabolic pathways so that essential active metabolites are formed in response to hormone replacement therapy. Substances naturally occuring in nature such as hormones cannot be patented which is partly why synthetic forms have been created by pharmaceutical companies. Synthetic hormones are chemically altered and are not identical in structure or activity to the naturally occurring hormones in the body. This has lead to some health hazards and side effects and has given a bad name to HRT.
No two individuals are alike, of course, and the value of bio-identical hormone replacement therapy is that it can be adapted to fit your individual body and hormone levels. In fact, hormones can be made in a variety of strengths and dosage forms including capsules, topical creams and gels and sublingual troches or lozenges. With the help of your doctor specialised in anti-aging and a compounding pharmacist, you can start and maintain a bio-identical hormone replacement regimen that closely mimics what your body has been doing naturally for years.
BHRT includes estrogens (estrone, estradiol & estriol), progesterone, testosterone, DHEA and pregnenolone (and many metabolites).
BENEFITS OF BHRT INCLUDE:
GOALS OF NATURAL HRT
- Alleviate the symptoms caused by the natural decrease in production of hormones by the body
- Give the protective benefits which were originally provided by naturally occurring hormones
- Re-establish a hormonal balance
The precise components of each individual’s therapy need to be determined after physical examination, medical history, and laboratory testing are considered. Close monitoring is essential to ensure that appropriate dosage adjustments are made. There is no simple answer to HRT. Each patient is a unique individual….thus standardising a drug or dose has potential for harm.
“Natural Hormones” are used to correct hormone imbalance during each cycle of human life. This imbalance can be established by blood or saliva testing and treated with:
- Traditional HRT, e.g., oral contraceptives or HRT.
- NHRT (using bio-identical hormones) or
- Natural therapies, e.g., herbals or homoeopathics.
WHERE DO I GO FOR HELP?
Your doctor will assess your current hormone status by either a blood and / or saliva test.
After determining the level of hormonal imbalance, the doctor can prescribe natural hormones
- in various combinations of testosterone, DHEA, estrogens, progesterone, etc.
- in various dosage forms, e.g., cream, troche/lozenge, capsule, pessary, gel or oil.
Where more than one hormone is deficient, they can be incorporated into one dosage form, e.g., DHEA & testosterone troche. In effect, the doctor prescribes a complete NHRT supplement tailored for the individual patient in a dosage form suitable for that patient.
WHAT IS THE FIRST STEP?
You first need to assess your current hormone levels by means of an easy spit test done in the comfort of your home. Saliva test kits are available to purchase from Skinovate from the reception counter and without appointment. Just follow the instructions found in the box and post your sample using the pre stamped envelope provided in the kit. The results will come directly to us and Dr Spano will get in touch with you so you can discuss the results and establish a treatment plan. Some blood tests may be required on an individual basis.
WHICH DOSAGE FORM DO I USE?
Your doctor will prescribe the most appropriate dosage form for you. The types of dosage forms available include:
Transdermal Cream
Hormones come in cream or gel form to be applied to hormone sensitive areas on the skin. The areas for application are breasts, tummy and the inner part of the arms or legs. This allows the hormone to reach the target tissue (similar to hormone patches) avoiding rapid breakdown by the liver allowing a much lower strength to be used. It is a good idea to apply the cream on various areas of the skin, or rotate daily to avoid overload of the receptor sites and skin reaction. Please ensure that the hands are washed before and after application.
Troches
Troches are sublingual lozenges made to dissolve in the mouth and absorbed by the salivary mucus membranes, avoiding first pass liver metabolism.
Capsules
Capsules are a convenient method of administration. Natural hormones are micronised and can be compounded with slow release ingredients to prevent rapid liver metabolism and ensure stable levels.
As every person is unique, our approach is for the patient, pharmacist, and doctor to work together to customise hormone replacement therapy.
WHY DO I NEED TO GO TO A COMPOUNDING PHARMACIST AND NOT ANY CHEMIST?
Compounding is the preparation of medicine by a pharmacist for an individual patient according to a doctor’s prescription. The practice predates the manufacture by mass production of drugs.
In every field of medicine, there are some patients who don’t respond to traditional methods of treatment.
Sometimes they need medicine at strengths that are not manufactured by drug companies. Sometimes they simply need a different method of ingesting a medication.
Most compounding medicine can equally be covered by your private medical insurance, depending on the type of cover you have. | 
