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Bioidentical Hormone Replacement for Women
Are hormones driving you crazy?
Are you debilitated at a certain time of the month? Do you eat less and less but keep gaining weight? Does it seem like menopause is arriving ahead of schedule? These are all signs of hormonal imbalance, a growing problem that most doctors are not equipped to solve.
Birth control pills are one common trigger, even if it's been years since you've taken them. Environmental pollutants are others, from chemicals in skin care products and plastics to fire retardants in furniture and pesticides in food. And a poor diet intensifies all these effects.
Without such triggers, the natural hormonal changes during a woman's life aren't likely to cause severe symptoms. But today, it's virtually impossible to avoid disrupting toxins.
The problem isn't in your head
"It's stress." "You must be depressed." "You're getting older." When women seek help, that's what doctors typically say, as they scribble a prescription for anti-depressants. The drugs mask how a woman really feels. Yet the very real, physical causes of the problem are ignored.
Hormonal imbalances ― no matter what triggered them ― can be corrected with the right type of treatment: bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, or BHRT, available by prescription.
What are bioidentical hormones?
The word "bioidentical" means that a substance is biologically identical to one made by your body. For example, the molecules that make up bioidentical progesterone are shaped exactly like your own progesterone. In contrast, the progesterone in birth control pills is similar to, but not exactly like your own hormone.
Consider the different effects: Your own progesterone is essential to conceive a child, while the progesterone in birth control pills ― let's call it "synthetic" ― prevents pregnancy. Not surprisingly, the synthetic progesterone disrupts the way your own hormones function.
Bioidentical progesterone is exactly the same as your own progesterone and can actually relieve side effects of birth control pills ― without reducing their effectiveness in preventing pregnancy.
Estrogen can also be a synthetic form that increases health risks. Some prescriptions, for example, are made from the urine of pregnant mares. However, bioidentical estrogen is exactly the same as your own estrogen. It relieves symptoms and reduces health risks.
Symptoms relieved by BHRT
Used correctly, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy restores balance and relieves symptoms such as these:
- PMS
- Hot flashes
- Mood swings
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Loss of sex drive
- Vaginal dryness and painful intercourse
- Dry skin
- Sagging breasts
- Tender breasts
- Depression
- Brain fog
- Memory lapses
- Lack of energy
- Depression
- Anxiety
Women using BHRT also experience fewer wrinkles and other visible signs of aging skin. Studies show that women who use BHRT look younger than their age, and women who do not use BHRT after menopause look older than their age.
Is hormone replacement dangerous?
That depends on the type of hormones. Synthetic hormones increase risks, while bioidentical ones decreases risks.
A large study, the Women's Health Initiative, found that synthetic estrogen and progesterone increased risk of breast cancer, heart attack, blood clots, and stroke. However, other research shows that a combination of bioidentical estrogen and progesterone does not increase risk and one bioidentical type of estrogen, estriol, protects against breast cancer.
Health Risks reduced by BHRT
We can't see most health risks until something happens. For example, a bone breaks from a minor injury but long before that, osteoporosis was silently developing. These are some key risks that BHRT reduces:
- 50% less risk of stroke and heart attack
- 50% less risk of broken bones from osteoporosis
- 80% less risk of Alzheimer's
- 40% less risk of osteoarthritis
- 40% less risk of periodontal disease and tooth loss
- 30% less risk of colon cancer
What hormones do I need?
Although estrogen and progesterone are commonly viewed as the key female hormones, there are others that directly affect a woman's health and well being. These include testosterone, DHEA (a precursor to other hormones), and growth hormone. And, thyroid hormone disorders are very common.
Each woman's situation is unique. Individual needs must be determined by testing, considering symptoms, and prescribing to achieve balance.
Why hasn't my doctor helped me?
Most doctors are trained to treat diseases, not to relieve non-optimum health situations. Sadly, that's how our health care system is designed. Hormonal imbalances are not diseases and defy conventional diagnoses ― even if they ruin women's lives.
And, there's a financial reason why most physicians are unaware of the value of bioidentical hormones. Synthetic hormones are patented drugs that are highly profitable. Like other drugs, they are aggressively marketed to doctors.
In contrast, bioidentical hormones cannot be patented because they occur naturally in the human body. So, drug companies cannot make huge profits on bioidentical prescriptions and, as a result, do not market them to doctors.
Where to start
At The Holtorf Medical Group, we respect each woman's unique situation. We understand that your symptoms are manifestations of very real hormone imbalances, and we work with you to identify what needs to be corrected.
The process begins with an initial consultation and testing. We use bioidentical hormone prescriptions and nutritional supplements to address your personal concerns, and recommend dietary and lifestyle changes that will enhance your well being.
Our doctors are the most highly trained and experienced in this field. Call us today at 877-508-1177 and schedule an appointment.
Handouts
- BHRT and Risk of Breast CancerView PDF
- Hormone Study Confusion View PDF
- Natural vs. Synthetic HRT (Literature Review) View PDF
- Review of the Suzanne Somers’ The Sexy Years View PDF
- Women with Low Estrogen Look Significantly Older View PDF
- Hormones OverviewView PDF
- At Last a True Aphrodisiac Is DiscoveredView PDF
- Indole-3-Carbinol and Breast Cancer View PDF
- MesotherapyView PDF
- Use of most popular osteoporosis medications are associated with brittle bones, osteonecrosis, heart damage and cancerView PDF
- The Bioidentical Hormone Debate: Are Bioidentical Hormones (estradiol, estriol, and Progesterone) Safer or More Efficacious than Commonly Used Synthetic Versions in Hormone Replacement Therapy?View PDF
Studies
- Hormones in Wellness and Disease Prevention: Common Practices, Current State of the Evidence, and Questions for the FutureRead The Study
- The Bioidentical Hormone Debate: Are Bioidentical Hormones (Estradiol, Estriol, and Progesterone) Safer or More Efficacious than Commonly Used Synthetic Versions in Hormone Replacement Therapy?Read The Study
Testimonials
I have been a patient of Dr. Wightman for about two years now and have always been impressed with his kindness. I feel well taken care of both physically and emotionally...
Candace P.
Read More >It took nearly my lifetime to find a doctor who can accurately diagnose all of my health problems...
Caroline P.
Read More >In my late twenties I was diagnosed with Graves” disease and was given radioactive Iodine to destroy my thyroid gland. For a number of years I was treated by symptoms and did fairly well
Theckla S.
Read More >I would like to enthusiastically recommend Kent Holtorf, M.D. in Torrance, California. I have been to numerous doctors for treatment of my thyroid condition with the same response, “The lab tests show your thyroid is fine.”...
Cynthia T.
Read More >I am writing this to express my gratitude for the way I feel. I can’t explain the incredible change I feel since I started with you just two months ago. I have been living with incessant headaches, and a hazing over my eyes every day for years...
Debra M.
Read More >I have been working with Dr. Camilleri at the Holtorf Medical Group for almost a year now, and I am writing to tell you that he is the best doctor....
Lauren P.
Read More >I have never had so much hope and promise as I had on the day where I found Dr. Holtorf’s website; I read all of the information, research, and his treatment protocol. I could not believe that I had finally found a doctor that could treat all of my s
Natalie M.
Read More >This clinic was able to diagnosis my problem when no one else would dig deep enough...
Rhonda N.
Read More >I went to several specialists before finding the Holtorf Medical Group and my symptoms were dismissed as simply “getting older”, “it’s due to stress” or “you must be depressed”. I was made to feel I was crazy and offered little more than an antidepre
Margie W.
Read More >I got a natural bioidentical serotonin (actual serotonin) shot and then driving home I noticed my eyes seemed “open" and a fog lifted from my brain. But the biggest miracle is that all the pain in the left side of my neck was gone and as of today
Karen M.
Read More >Dr. Laufer and the Holtorf Medical team have true compassion and understanding. I have only met one other physician in my life, so far, that has that same attitude toward their patients....
Cindy L.
Read More >Holtorf medical doctors are truly caring about me and your other patients. I observed it all day in the clinic. Dr. Holtorf and Dr. Laufer are truly angels reaching out to people who are truly ill and have not been heard by other physicians for years
Cindi M.
Read More >The Holtorf Group is such a wonderful blessing...
Sarah L.
Read More >I am feeling 1000% better...
Linda G.
Read More >My doctors practically called me a liar when I told them what I ate. I would lose a little only to gain a lot...
Darla L.
Read More >I have had a very good experience with Dr. Laufer. He listens and cares about you and what effects your health...
Anonymous
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Media
Dr. Kent Holtorf: Bioidentical Hormones
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Dr.Kent Holtorf: Use of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement
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Dr. Kent Holtorf: Bioidentical Hormones vs. Synthetic Hormones
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Dr. Kent Holtorf: “What About Bioidentical Hormones?”
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Dr. Kent Holtorf: Bioidentical hormones
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Dr. Kent Holtorf: “The Hormone Cure”
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The Holtorf Medical Group: Discussed as a Top Specialty Center in The Robb Report
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Dr. Kent Holtorf: “Feeling Hormonal?”
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Dr. Kent Holtorf: Bioidentical Hormone Replacement for Men and Women
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Dr. Kent Holtorf: Bioidentical Hormones
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Dr. Kent Holtorf: Bioidentical Hormones
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Dr. Kent Holtorf: “Boob Size Is on the Rise!”
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Dr. Kent Holtorf: “Women Who Gossip Can Live a Happy and Healthier Life”
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Dr. Kent Holtorf: "Bioidentical Hormones: Why Are They Still Controversial?"
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Dr. Kent Holtorf: “Dangerous Mixers: Drugs That May Interfere With Your Birth Control”
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Dr. Kent Holtorf: “An Upside to Perimenopause”
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Dr. Kent Holtorf: “Can Your Multivitamin Give You Cancer?”
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Dr. Kent Holtorf: "Endocrinology Expert"
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Dr. Kent Holtorf: "Bioidentical Hormones for Menopausal Symptoms"
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Dr. Kent Holtorf: "Women Who Gossip Can Live a Happy and Healthier Life"
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Bioidenticals
What Are Bioidentical Hormones and Do They Carry Less Risk Than Synthetic Hormone Replacement? >
