BHRT Training Academy @bhrttrainingacademy - Tumblr Blog

Menopause and BHRT: What’s the Best Type of Treatment?

Having a basic understanding of the causes of menopause will help patients understand what is going on with their bodies during this time, and help them report symptoms accurately.

Here we’ll discuss estrogen decline in relation to menopause and how this can best be treated with Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT).

About Menopause and Estrogen

Age is one of the main causes of menopause, where women typically experience fluctuations in estrogen levels through their 40s.

Menopause is official once a woman has not menstruated for a full year. The average age of menopause is 51.

The Mayo Clinic outlines some of the most common causes of menopause, as well as health factors that will require more stringent monitoring at menopause when women tend to fall into higher-risk categories for certain health problems.

Estrogen decline causes menstrual cycles to cease. Factors (other than aging) that can worsen or trigger a decline include:

Stress

Oophorectomy

Cancer therapies

Ovarian insufficiency

Adrenal fatigue

Extreme diet or poor diet

Excessive exercise

Surgery

Statins

In the case of an oophorectomy, menopause can be particularly severe as hormone production stops suddenly, rather than gradually decreasing over time.

How Estrogen Affects the Body

Because estrogen is essential to so many things in a woman’s body, it can affect so much more than reproductive cycles.

For instance, it helps maintain low blood pressure, lowers Fibrinogen, LDL, homocysteine, and lipoprotein, and also has antioxidant properties.

In the Central Nervous System, estrogen prevents memory disorders and loss of cognition by supporting the synthesis of neurotransmitters.

In the brain, it’s been shown that estrogen increases reaction time, alertness, verbal ability, and verbal recall. It also increases REM sleep and regulates inflammatory cytokines, reducing inflammation.

Estrogen also plays an important role in carbohydrate metabolism and insulin sensitivity. This explains why in part that women tend to gain weight as they go through the menopausal decline of estrogen.

To help protect the skin, estrogen increases the moisture content and collagen formation improving vascularization, elasticity, and firmness.

The health of the urogenital system requires estrogen for the prevention of vaginal dryness, urinary urgency, and urinary tract infections.

Fluctuating and Declining Estrogen Levels

Health practitioners should note the main causes of menopause and which is most pertinent for each patient as it will inform treatment.

Menopause is associated with a decline in estrogen, however during perimenopause estrogen levels can fluctuate. Levels can unpredictably swing from high to low. Interestingly, estrogen can even spike to very high levels at times before it pluments to menopausal levels.

If estrogen deficiency is unattended women are at higher risk of conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline, and osteoporosis.

Other symptoms of estrogen fluctuations or deficiency include:

Urinary incontinence

Frequent UTIs

Low libido

Vaginal dryness

Weight gain

Hot flashes

Night sweaters

Dry skin, eyes, hair, and nails

Hair loss

Foggy thinking

Depression

Food cravings

Sleep disturbances

Fatigue

Patients who are already prone to metabolic disorders should be monitored closely regarding these symptoms.

Why Estrogen Testing Can Be Tricky

Hormone testing, especially during the menopausal transition can be a bit misleading. This is because estrogen levels can fluctuate month to month or even day to day prior to menopause.

However, that does not mean that providers should wait until postmenopause to test or prescribe estrogen.

However, if a woman is still having periods, this typically indicates that she has adequate estrogen unless periods are scant and she is very symptomatic.

In any case, symptoms should be monitored carefully through perimenopause and menopause in order to administer tailored BHRT treatments.

Once women are post-menopausal, estrogen levels stabilize, and estrogen deficiency indicated by lab testing and symptoms is more clearly defined.

Administering Bioidentical Estrogens

Estrogen must be prescribed by licensed health care providers and is manufactured by pharmaceutical companies or prepared by compounding pharmacies. Common delivery options include topical patches, cream, gel, or vaginal forms. Pellets are also a common type of dosing form. Oral estrogen is not recommended due to an increased risk of blood clots.

Also popular is the use of Biest, a combination of estriol and estradiol at a ratio of 80% estriol to 20% estradiol or 50% of each.

Women on Biest or estradiol only can expect relief from depressed mood, insomnia and sleep disturbances, irritability and anxiety, joint pain, vaginal dryness, and urinary incontinence.

Gradual dosing is the best starting point especially since excess estrogen causes symptoms such as breast tenderness or fluid retention.

Learn to Prescribe Bioidentical Hormones for Menopause

Women struggling in menopause or perimenopause are looking to their providers to help them manage symptoms and protect their long term health.

When you prescribe bioidentical hormones, you help patients sleep better, eliminate night sweats and hot flashes, and improve their mood — changes that can be truly life-changing for your patients.

There still aren’t enough BHRT providers to meet the current demand. It is in your patients’ best interest, as well yours, to learn this life-changing, health-promoting modality.

To get started, download our free PDF, Signs and Symptoms of Hormone Imbalance, and book a consultation today.

Enjoyed this article? Here are three more to help you:

How BHRT Can Help Patients Ease the Symptoms of Aging BHRT is a Movement – It’s Not Going Away The Benefits of Opening a Bioidentical Hormone Practice

This article was originally published in 2019 but was updated in 2021!

#BHRT #bhrt training #bhrt online training #menopause

Menopause and Hormone Replacement Therapy: Treatments for Top Symptoms

Almost everyone will face hormonal imbalance symptoms at some point in their lives. Some will struggle with severe symptoms, and they might be mild for others. Hormones are a vital part of the body’s ability to function normally and influence everything from reproduction to mood. Aging naturally leads to a decline in estrogen and progesterone in menopause, and this can cause problematic symptoms.

Treatments such as BHRT offer comprehensive, individualized treatment, give women more opportunities to ask questions, discover key causes, and feel more empowered about managing hormonal imbalance symptoms in menopause.

Hormonal Imbalance Symptoms

Our endocrine systems are delicate and hormonal pathways are interconnected and work together to stay balanced. Hormone replacement therapy is a solution for many women experiencing the symptoms of menopause. But because this whole system is so delicate, hormones must be administered cautiously and carefully.

Many practitioners fail to tell their patients who are struggling with menopausal symptoms that, during this time, there is not necessarily a linear “drop” in hormones like progesterone and estrogen. Instead, levels can vary wildly. These fluctuations happen because the body is trying to compensate for natural drops and keep the body in balance.

Symptoms of menopause can vary widely between individuals, and some start and finish menopause at entirely different times in their lives.

When it comes to menopause specifically, many women find this a challenging time, facing symptoms like:

Irregular periods

Low sex drive

Vaginal dryness

Sleep problems

Fatigue

Hot flashes

Depression

Memory problems

Brain fog

Digestion problems

Mood swings

Weight gain

Infertility

Muscle loss

Changes in skin, nail, and hair texture

Learning to prescribe hormone therapies like BHRT may be a safer and more effective way that offers patients many benefits.

Treating Hormonal Imbalance in Menopause with Hormone Therapy

Progesterone is typically the first hormone to decline in during perimenopause which occurs 10-15 years prior to actual menopause. Progesterone therapy can help balance when there is a deficiency diagnosis, such as what occurs during menopause and even perimenopause.

This therapy can help offset estrogen dominance, especially if women are experiencing symptoms such as heavy flow and frequent periods of intense PMS.

Although estrogen typically declines over time—and in some cases, it is a steady drop—estrogen levels can also fluctuate, especially through perimenopause.

Hormone testing should be comprehensive to determine the most appropriate therapy. Testing should be done on a specific day of the menstrual cycle if women are still menstruating. For women no longer having periods, testing can be done on any day.

The Benefits of Hormone Therapy (BHRT) for Menopause

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is considered by many experts to a be safe and effective treatment that can be used to reduce or eliminate symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and night sweats. It may also help reduce the severity of other health complications such as osteoporosis, joint pain, and depression. There is some evidence that it might also reduce the risk of certain cancers and diabetes.

Previous publicity about conventional (non-bioidentical) hormone replacement therapy, which came out of the Women’s Health Initiative study, caused alarm about this treatment not being safe. However, it’s since been revealed that health complications resulting from those studies were partly to do with dosage, administration, whether women were in high-risk categories, and the type of hormones given.

To this end, BHRT may be a safer and more effective hormone therapy for menopause with:

A proper diagnosis

Regular Hormone testing

A longer-term health plan

An understanding of the patient’s history

A clear assessment of a patient’s risk profile

Customized prescriptions

Assessment of patient lifestyle factors which may exacerbate menopausal symptoms

Patients and practitioners should be interested and willing to participate in regular discussions and consider this a long-term investment. The highly individual and tailored approach is, in part, what makes BHRT potentially more effective, as well as an attractive option for many women facing hormonal imbalance symptoms of menopause.

Learn More About Prescribing BHRT for Menopause

You can help your patients reduce physical symptoms and mood swings brought on by hormonal imbalance with Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT).

In combination with a comprehensive wellness program and lifestyle recommendations, estrogen and progesterone therapy can be safe and effective in helping women find relief from hormonal imbalance symptoms.

Health practitioners seeking alternative care models can learn how to administer BHRT to offer patients symptom relief and improve their quality of life.

Ready to learn more about how BHRT could fit into your practice? Click here to schedule a strategy call and get started.

Enjoyed this article? Here are three more to help:

How Do You Lower Your Cortisol Levels?

What’s the Difference Between Pregnenolone and DHEA?

Addressing and Treating Hormonal Imbalance in Women

Source:

BHRT Training Academy

#menopause #BHRT #hormones #hormone replacement therapy #hormone replacement treatment #bioidentical hormone replacement

What’s the Difference Between Pregnenolone and DHEA?

Considering giving your patients a pregnenolone or DHEA supplement?

Hormones are important for all aspects of our lives, and hormone therapy—BHRT or otherwise—can be a crucial part of supporting people’s health and well-being when they are struggling with hormone-related symptoms.

Both of these hormones are considered precursors that promote estrogen and testosterone production. But they also work on their own to support essential functions in the body.

Are you looking to expand your practice with hormonal health services? We can help—contact us today for a consultation.

The Benefits of DHEA Supplements

DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) comes from pregnenolone, and the adrenal glands make both. It can help with the production of both estrogen and testosterone.

DHEA is involved in various bodily functions, including metabolism, blood sugar regulation, brain function, protecting against excess cortisol, and supporting immune function. A DHEA supplement offers an array of possible health benefits, including:

Treating depression

Improving libido

Reducing the risk of dementia

Boosting energy

Boosting the immune system

Improving mood and memory

Improving muscles and bones

Treating HPA axis disfunction

General anti-aging benefits

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) supplements, such as DHEA, are made from plant-based ingredients such as soy or yam. A patient can take these supplements orally or in a topical cream.

DHEA Supplement Dosing

DHEA is taken orally or put in a topical cream. Women usually start with 5-10mg. Men typically start at a higher dose or 25-50mg. Studies show that when used vaginally, DHEA can help with vaginal dryness and atrophy common in menopausal women. About Pregnenolone

You may be wondering if you should administer pregnenolone supplements instead of DHEA supplements. Although these hormones are related, they serve different purposes. Consider each carefully before beginning a treatment plan.

Pregnenolone is linked to similar functions in the body as DHEA, including stress, sexual function, and brain activity.

Possible benefits of pregnenolone include:

Improved sleep

Less anxiety

Less fatigue

Reduce mood swings

Better concentration

Reduced andropause symptoms

Reduced menopause symptoms

Maintain weight / prevent weight gain

Pregnenolone is primarily responsible for producing DHEA and progesterone and is vital for regulating stress. It’s also important for aldosterone and testosterone production.

Pregnenolone as a Neurosteroid

As a neurosteroid, Pregnenolone can have specific benefits related to brain health. It can help with memory, emotions and even reduce sleep-related problems such as insomnia.

Suppose you have patients who have symptoms such as concentration and memory problems. In that case, if they have trouble concentrating on regular tasks, if they struggle with short- or long-term memory loss, this may be a hormone to consider as part of treatment.

Pregnenolone may also help with issues related to the central nervous system, emotional regulation, and GABA neurotransmitters. Its relationship to GABA may be behind its ability to reduce anxiety.

DHEA and Pregnenolone Tests

Testing for DHEA levels via a DHEA-sulfate serum test will offer information about how well the adrenals and HPA axis are functioning. Testing DHEA through saliva, serum, capillary blood spot, or saliva is also common. Both are routine tests in BHRT.

Some providers also check pregnenolone via serum in some patients.

Should You Offer a Pregnenolone or DHEA Supplement?

Hormone precursors such as pregnenolone or DHEA can be helpful for those facing hormone-related symptoms which impair their regular day-to-day lifestyle. Often, these symptoms are due to aging. BHRT can help relieve many of these symptoms and possibly even slow the aging process in the body.

Health practitioners seeking alternative care models should learn how to administer BHRT in the right way to offer patients the best chance at symptom relief and high quality of life.

Consider adding BHRT to your list of services—schedule a free strategy call.

Enjoyed this article? Here are three more to help you:

Bioidentical Hormones Market Size and Forecast

6 Key Levers Every Practice Must Monitor for Financial Success

How to Talk About Money with Your Patients

#pregnenolone #dhea #hormones

Addressing and Treating Hormonal Imbalance in Women

Hormonal imbalance likely affects all of us—both men and women—at one time or another, especially as we age.

Our endocrine systems are so delicate that even small changes in hormone levels can lead to severe symptoms. They are also connected with a myriad of other health issues.

You can help your patients reduce physical symptoms and mood swings brought on by hormonal imbalance with bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT)—this treatment is considered by many experts to be safe and effective.

What causes hormonal imbalance in women?

Aging naturally brings at least some level of disruption and hormonal imbalance—for both men and women. Often, there is more than one cause at play, so addressing the entire issue involves multiple complementary treatments.

Diet, lifestyle, and co-occurring health issues should always be considered when considering causation and treatment.

There are many reasons why women’s hormones can be out of balance, including:

Pregnancy

Menopause

Perimenopause

PMS

Thyroid problems

Stress

Birth control

Reproductive health issues like PCOS

Plenty of other health problems can cause and result in hormonal imbalance, including eating disorders, Alzheimer’s disease, and serious illnesses such as cancer. Consistently imbalanced hormone levels can also trigger diseases like osteoporosis and heart disease, and the risk of this increases with age.

Practitioners should be willing to look outside the box and offer treatments that both they and their patients can feel good about.

Pellet therapy is one popular option and a simple way to help women looking for a low-maintenance type of hormone therapy—learn more about pellet therapy.

Signs and Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance in Women

Do your patients know what is going on with their bodies?

Treatments such as BHRT offers comprehensive, individualized treatment, give women more opportunities to ask questions, discover key causes, and feel more empowered about managing symptoms like:

Irregular periods

Low sex drive

Vaginal dryness

Insomnia

Fatigue

Hot flashes

Depression

Memory problems

Brain fog

Digestion problems

Mood swings

Weight gain

Infertility

Thinning hair

Brittle nails

Muscle loss

Changes in skin and hair texture

Allergies and infections can also be addressed as part of long-term therapy for hormonal imbalance.

Since the endocrine system and thyroid are so delicate, it can be very easy to develop hormonal imbalance, especially at certain times of life.

Since lifestyle factors can also exacerbate symptoms, addressing hormonal imbalance from a holistic standpoint is important.

Learning to prescribe hormone therapies like BHRT is a safe and effective way that offers patients many benefits.

Estrogen and Progesterone Therapy for Hormonal Imbalance

Progesterone deficiency is common during perimenopause and menopause when ovulation ceases or sputters. It can also result from oophorectomy, birth control pills, stress, thyroid problems, or nutrient deficiencies.

Although estrogen typically declines over time—and in some cases, it is a steady drop—estrogen levels can also fluctuate, especially through perimenopause.

Progesterone therapy can help to balance when there is a diagnosis of a deficiency, such as what occurs during menopause and even perimenopause.

Hormone testing should be comprehensive to determine how many of the hormones are free hormones and offer the most appropriate therapy. Testing should also occur regularly, especially if hormonal fluctuations are suspected to be the main cause of the symptoms.

Progesterone therapy can help offset estrogen dominance, especially if women are experiencing symptoms such as heavy flow, frequent periods of intense PMS.

Learn to Treat Hormonal Imbalance with BHRT

Estrogen and progesterone therapy can be safe and effective in helping women find relief from intense symptoms.

Wellness programs and plans which include lifestyle recommendations, natural treatments and hormone replacement therapy such as pellet therapy will give them a new lease on life.

A range of options for patients can help people manage the hormonal imbalance.

Health practitioners seeking alternative care models should learn how to administer BHRT. This can offer patients symptom relief and improve their quality of life.

Are you ready to make a difference in their lives?

Consider adding BHRT to your list of services—schedule a free strategy call.

Enjoyed this article? Here are three more to help you:

Hormones to Treat Menopause Might Be Safer Than Once Thought

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy: Frequently Asked Questions

Pros and Cons of Different Dosing Forms of Bioidentical Hormones

#BHRT #bhrt training #bioidentical hormone replacement #hormones

Increasing Your Functional Medicine Revenue With BHRT

Wondering whether or not your BHRT clinic will be profitable? Obtaining the level of BHRT revenue you desire may take time, but the future looks promising.

Here’s why functional medicine modalities like BHRT will continue to bring revenue to health practitioners and how to ensure that you’re on the right track with your clinic.

Industry Growth and Outlook

Patients are seeking opportunities to tackle their health problems in more holistic ways. They want practitioners to take more time, dive deeper, and develop highly personalized wellness plans.

Functional medicine revenue in a given clinic will vary depending on what’s being offered, and some sectors will continue to be in greater demand.

But we can rest assured that hormone replacement therapy will continue to be in demand and that it will continue to offer a high return on investment.

Consider 2019 data which suggests there are around 21 million women in middle age (45-55), most of them will be facing menopause during these years. While not all of them will choose BHRT therapy for menopause or even seek treatment at all, there’s a significant portion of the population that can make up your target market.

Even if you serve a region that has a population of about 100,000 people and 7500 women in mid-age, you can easily get one person a month to sign on.

When you move into lifetime value and consider that women are living longer than ever, you’ve got a substantial amount of people who are potentially seeking anti-aging treatments like BHRT.

Consider Why People Are Interested in Functional Medicine

We consider BHRT a patient-driven movement that will continue to hold weight as people and especially women — feel like conventional medicine fails them.

\Some reasons why people are turning away from conventional medicine include:

Lack of individualized care

Lack of trust

Lack of integration of alternative therapies

Treats symptoms, not causes

Prescriptions lead to side effects and addiction.

On the other hand, functional medicine modalities take into account our entire bodies’ systems, vitality, well-being, and longevity.

People are craving more personalized treatment and focused wellness plans.

And considering the aging population of women, they will continue to turn to hormone replacement therapy to help with age-related hormonal changes.

So there’s truly a case for BHRT revenue levels to grow in a new or planned BHRT practice.

Considerations for Increasing Your BHRT Revenue

When it comes to your functional medicine practice, you should make sure that you are personally compensated adequately, and that BHRT revenue levels are stable enough to support your business.

Here are some considerations for boosting revenue and patient satisfaction.

Offer Small Group Wellness Sessions

Bringing patients together to tackle common wellness challenges is a great way for you and your team to concentrate your resources.

If you have 10 clients, for instance, who are interested in learning more about which hormones cause which symptoms during menopause, you can invite them all to one 90-minute workshop aimed at empowering and educating.

This strategy can be both fun and engaging and an opportunity for community members to connect.

Create a Selection of Wellness Packages

Cash pay practices have moved away from a la carte pricing toward packages. It’s much better to help 10 new patients a month at a premium than 100 at a meager fee that requires much so work from you.

Ask for a higher investment through value-based packages, and steer away from discussions of standard fees and insurance. It may be helpful to explain why functional medicine isn’t covered by insurance since it’s’ a different model than conventional medicine.

Here are some points to consider which should help you boost your BHRT revenue:

Average packages can start at $2500+ for a 4-month program (but maintenance packages may be less)

Your ideal goal is an 80-85% margin, with each patient margin at $2000 or more in the first 6-12 months.

Consider a 4-6 months program in lieu of a la carte visits

Offer a number of different package programs

Packages can include initial and follow-up testing, a set number of office visits, and sometimes even a bank of money toward supplements or a discount on supplements.

Once patients have paid upfront, they will continue to stick with you, since this is an investment they have already made and they should see its lifetime value. They should see this as a new lease on life, greater well-being, and overall health in the long term.

Offer Monthly Memberships Based on Long-Term Maintenance Plans

Some practices are now implementing monthly memberships for long-term maintenance, which keeps patients coming back instead of switching to different providers.

If you frame the value of health maintenance as sick care prevention — that is, it prevents you from needing your insurance for things like dialysis, hip replacement or other serious complications — you can create innovative packages which help patients with their wellness goals.

Make sure your patients feel special. Give them something extra to stay on with you after their initial package, like bonus educational tips or discounts on other services.

Build a Better BHRT Business

Providers may need coaching on how to discuss pricing with patients, as well as other components of building a successful BHRT clinic.

Make sure you/your staff and entire team have gone through your program, and encourage them to use their personal story to connect with patients.

Your BHRT revenue is bound to grow if you continue to focus on how it brings value to patients, while being innovative about the way you use your clinic time and resources.

Don’t feel bad if you need to raise your rates. Be confident in what you have learned in your training and your services – people will see this and pay for it.

Do show your patients the lifetime value they will receive as they invest in the most important thing: their health and well-being.

I’ve never met a BHRT provider who regrets taking the extra time needed to understand how to administer BHRT.

Learn to help patients in this modality, and you’ll be well on your way to earning optimal BHRT revenue levels.

Enjoyed this article? Here are three more to help you:

Pros and Cons of Different Dosing Forms of Bioidentical Hormones An Overview of Anti-Aging Market Trends What Happens When Women Age?

Source:

https://bhrttrainingacademy.com

#BHRT #bhrt training #bhrt online training #revenge

How To Grow Your Integrative Medicine Practice

Building a thriving integrative medicine practice requires a long-term, integrated marketing plan based on engagement and connection.

If you’re looking to increase revenue in your BHRT business or you’re in another area of functional medicine, read on for a fresh perspective on marketing practices.

Experiential Marketing is Key to Building an Integrative Medicine Practice

Building trust is essential for attracting clients to benefit from specialized health services.

Patients who are frustrated or feel left behind by their family doctors, for instance, will yearn for the specialized care as is required for offering specialized therapy such as BHRT.

Experiential marketing refers to precisely this: face-to-face, personal contact, which connects on a human level.

We know that digital marketing is one way to get the word out, but don’t forget about the other options for connecting, both inexpensive and immediate. This is the way to offer relevant information to current and potential patients.

Talk Face-to-Face

After a year of pandemic life, we know that it might be challenging to meet people face-to-face. But it’s because of this that (safe) face-to-face contact can be more powerful than ever.

With a specialty such as BHRT, we can consider that patients are more vulnerable to isolation and health problems, meaning that personal touch will go a long way.

Some tips for creating opportunities to see integrative medicine clients in-person:

Organize an open house

Consider “edutainment” as part of your events

Offer freebies and discounts

Create health workshops for existing patients

Offer a relevant support group — for instance, if you are offering BHRT, you can provide support for menopausal women.

Make events engaging and worthwhile.

The idea here is to make patients feel valued and offer support in their long-term health goals rather than “selling” a product.

When you bring people together around a shared purpose, you will become a recognized and trusted health care leader in your community, and word of mouth will follow.

Word of Mouth

In many ways, word-of-mouth remains the most effective marketing strategy because it’s all about trust.

We already do this on social media and through online reviews, but there is plenty of other effective word of mouth marketing strategies for growing your integrative medicine practice, including:

Via colleagues and professional referrals

Partnering with health practitioners in complementary niches

Educating referral sources that you are accepting patients

Educating referral sources about your offerings

Attending health fairs

Staying active in professional associations

Contacting your local Chamber of Commerce and other community business organizations

Other Marketing Strategies for Health Clinics

You’re probably focused on digital marketing, and this is the mainstay for most these days. But don’t undervalue the importance of marketing beyond email lists and social media.

Brochures and Other Print Materials

Tangible and practical offerings for potential clients will lead to a certain amount of in-person connections. Building brand awareness via brochures and other print materials still works.

Make sure they are strategically placed and offer helpful information

Brochures and other printed marketing material can go a long way. Don’t leave out your current patients when it comes to disseminating information. And stay in touch with other relevant businesses like health food stores and publications.

A thoughtfully written postcard/coupon is an example of a small item that can make a significant impact.

Connect with Relevant Media Outlets

Press releases and other types of traditional media outreach may or may not do the trick. But contacting a local radio station with listeners in your target demographic can be highly effective.

Some ideas for media outreach include:

Pitching to podcasts in your niche

Publishing guest posts in popular health publications

Be a guest on a program featured on YouTube or Instagram TV

Any integrative medicine practice will benefit from building brand awareness through PR and outreach. Remember, though, that this is not about getting paid. The idea is to build trust and brand awareness through a variety of media forms.

Printed Newsletters and Direct Mail

“Snail mail” still works so long as you are strategic and consistent about it, without making sure you are overloading your customers with “junk.”

You probably already have a digital mail list, but why not consider print mail to complement this?

This way, you can reach clients interested in reading about your services and offers in a little more detail and at their leisure.

An alternative to this could be sending monthly email newsletters and doing a biannual publication that offers more in-depth conversations about topics summarized in the newsletter. You can feature events and offerings in the print newsletter as well.

Let Us Help You Grow Your Integrative Medicine Practice

There’s no single solution to growing a business. But when it comes to health care, you can bet that patients want and need personalized service.

Using a combination of digital and traditional marketing with an emphasis on community engagement is essential for empowering people to take care of their health and well-being.

Whether you’re on your way to opening your BHRT practice or you have an established business, there’s always room to grow.

BHRT providers who want to dig deeper and learn more should reach out — here’s how to get started.

Enjoyed this article? Here are three more to help you:

Pros and Cons of Different Dosing Forms of Bioidentical Hormones An Overview of Anti-Aging Market Trends What Happens When Women Age?

Source:

https://bhrttrainingacademy.com

#bhrt training #BHRT #integrative medicine

How To Diagnose And Treat Low Testosterone In Males

Low testosterone in males (also generally referred to as andropause or hypogonadism) is a common problem for men over 40.

Health practitioners looking to treat low androgens with BHRT should have a clear understanding of diagnoses and treatment for effective results.

The Role of Testosterone in Males

Testosterone is a steroid hormone from the androgen group and is secreted primarily by the testicles, although small amounts are also made by the adrenal glands.

It is the principal male sex hormone and an anabolic steroid. A normal level of testosterone in the body helps to:

Increase sexual interest

Increase sense of emotional well being

Reduce anxiety and depression

Increase muscle mass and strength

Maintain memory

Prevent skin from sagging

Decrease excess body fat

Maintain bone strength

Increase hepatic synthesis of clotting factors

Increase bone mineral density

Increase HDL

Increase erythropoietin synthesis

Increase anabolic function

Improve arterial dilation

Augment cardiac output

Has anti-inflammatory activities

Testosterone replacement therapy can offer support in these areas when testosterone levels drop.

5 Health Problems Associated with Low Testosterone in Males

Men make around 5 to 10mg of testosterone daily, and testosterone levels decline 1-1.5% per year after age thirty.

By age 60, testosterone levels may only be 60% of the amount made during their 20’s.

Low testosterone (total testosterone less than 300 ng/dl) is as high as 38.7% in males over 45 years of age in out-patient primary care populations.

There are many health problems that can be attributed (at least in part) to lower than normal testosterone levels, including an overall increase in mortality.

The most common health symptoms associated with low testosterone in males are as follows.

1. Changes in Mood and Energy

Low testosterone in males may manifest itself in signs related to low energy, sleep disturbance, fatigue, and/or depression.

2. Loss of Sex Drive

One of the most common signs of low testosterone in males is related to a decrease in sex drive and erectile dysfunction.

Interestingly, some men do maintain their sex drive despite testosterone deficiency. Therefore, many men with low testosterone go undiagnosed assuming their level must be normal.

3. Problems with Muscles and Bones

Osteoporosis and muscle wasting are two signs that testosterone may be low. These ailments are typically indicated by symptoms such as low bone density, lack of flexibility and low strength.

Osteoarthritis and related inflammation are common results of muscle and bone problems.

4. Metabolic Changes

Low testosterone typically is associated with a general slowing of metabolism. This may manifest in excess abdominal fat, obesity, and insulin resistance.

5. Cardiovascular Illnesses

Heart disease and stroke are common in men over 50. Testosterone treatment may help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems in older men.

Diagnosing Low Testosterone in Males

Primary or secondary hypogonadism is typically the issue if a patient is over 40 and their symptoms include those discussed above, along with:

A positive ADAM Score

Low or Suboptimal Testosterone <500

Low or Suboptimal Free Testosterone

The ADAM Score (Androgen Deficiency in Aging Males) is typically used to quantify the severity of hypogonadism, where a positive result is defined as “yes” to questions 1 or 7 or any 3 others. (Int J Impot Res)

Here are the ADAM Score questions:

1. Do you have a decrease in libido (sex drive)? 2. Do you have a lack of energy? 3. Do you have a decrease in strength and/or endurance? 4. Have you lost height? 5. Have you noticed a decreased “enjoyment of life” 6. Are you sad and/or grumpy? 7. Are your erections less strong? 8. Have you noticed a recent deterioration in your ability to play sports? 9. Are you falling asleep after dinner? 10. Has there been a recent deterioration in your work performance?

Treating Low Testosterone in Males

Hypogonadism is typically caused by one of these things:

The testes do not produce enough testosterone (primary or secondary hypogonadism)

Improper brain signaling

Excess estrogen

The treatments discussed below primarily focus on hypogonadism. Health practitioners should note that secondary hypogonadism may require HCG as a treatment

Lifestyle improvements are almost always a factor in hypogonadism and so should be included in any treatment plan as a relevant treatment to specific symptoms.

Testosterone Supplementation

This is the most common type of treatment and is often the first choice for men. It’s shown to be effective and generally has very little in the way of side effects.

The treatment plan should include:

Lab evaluation for free and total testosterone, SHBG. LH, estradiol, DHEA’s, CBC, LFT’s, PSA

Monitoring estrogen levels

Watching for polycythemia

Using HCG in conjunction with testosterone in some cases

Testosterone Administration and Dosage

Typically injections are the most common administration format for testosterone.

The most important point for practitioners here is that more frequent injections at lower doses are preferable to higher doses at less frequent intervals. The recommended dose is 75mg to 100mg every 7-10 days.

Another option for testosterone replacement therapy is topical administration. Formats include creams, lotions, and gels at a dose of 40mg to 120mg daily.

Finally, testosterone pellet implantation is becoming increasingly popular and offers similar results as injections. Pellets may last 4-6 months. A typical starting dose is 1000-1200mg.

Discover the Benefits of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

BHRT can help treat both men and women who are struggling with symptoms of age-related hormone deficiencies.

To learn more about this life-changing treatment, book a consultation.

Enjoyed this article? Here are three more to help you:

Menopause and BHRT: What’s the Best Type of Treatment? Four Common Types of Hormonal Imbalance – Perimenopause/PMS How BHRT Can Help Patients Ease the Symptoms of Aging

Source:

https://bhrttrainingacademy.com

#bhrt training #bhrt online training #testosterone #low testosterone in males

Everything You Should Know About Pellet Implantation

Are you looking to learn more about hormone replacement therapy via pellet implantation?

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is an effective way for both women and men to ease symptoms related to hormone imbalance.

Pellet implantation is a convenient choice of delivery method and may be the best choice for some BHRT patients.

What is pellet implantation?

BHRT pellet implantation involves placing small implants under the skin which release specific doses of hormones over several months. The pellets are replaced as needed once they have dissolved.

Typically the hormones in the pellets are compounded and “fused” into cylinders. The typical hormones used in pellet therapy are estradiol and testosterone for male and female patients.

Estradiol and testosterone in pellet form are effective in improving health problems including:

Poor libido

Hot flashes

Aches and pains

Vaginal dryness

Insomnia

Low mood

Headaches and migraines

Lethargy

Irritability

Fatigue

Health practitioners treating male patients should bear in mind that male patients may find pellets more convenient than weekly testosterone injections.

How are hormone pellets inserted and how long do they last?

Hormone pellets are usually inserted in the hi buttock, area via an in-office procedure.

A syringe is usually used with a local anesthetic and the incision is covered with steri strips.

The process should not impact the patient’s lives beyond the initial procedure, but it is advised to avoid vigorous exercise for the following few days

Patients can expect pellets to last for 2.5 to 5 months a few months before a replacement is needed. The pellets dissolve completely in the body.

Patients typically feel the effects in 2-14 days.

What are the possible side effects of pellet implantation?

When administered properly, side effects with BHRT are extremely rare. The pellet insertion process itself may cause minor bleeding or bruising.

When testosterone is administered to women in low doses, such as 6mg there typically is little to no increase in facial hair and/or acne.

There is also a small chance of a minor allergic reaction occurring at the site of insertion, which may indicate low cortisol levels.

If this should occur, recommendations include regular doses of Benadryl, hydrocortisone therapy, and Keflex.

Hormone Testing and Monitoring

Regular hormone testing is important for both women and men when administering any type of BHRT, where labs should be run for:

FSH

Estradiol (women)

Testosterone

PSA

Sensitive estradiol (men)

Liver profile

Blood count

Thyroid

Progesterone

DHEA

Cortisol

Practitioners should monitor levels through hormone therapy prior to pellet insertion so every few months for the first year, then less frequently so long as the therapy is effective.

This should become part of a patient’s yearly testing and physical exam procedure.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Bioidentical Pellet Implantation

The key benefit of pellet implantation is that it offers a specific, consistent dose of hormone treatment over time, whereas, with creams or patches, hormone release may not be as even or consistent.

After an implant is done, the pellet dissolves into the body over a period of time, and the patient does not have to remember details about application or dosing — for instance, with other formats, they may forget to take a pill or apply too much cream.

The assurance of a consistent physiological level is the main benefit here. With this delivery method, hormones can be easily monitored and tested via saliva, serum, or dried urine.

But BHRT pellets may also:

Improve bone density

Prevent bone loss

Improve cardiovascular health

Be more effective than other formats for menopausal symptoms

It should be noted that BHRT hormone pellet implantation does not typically have a negative impact on blood clotting, blood pressure, glucose, or liver function.

Possible drawbacks for patients include:

A small risk of infection or allergic reaction at the site

Possible soreness

Cannot adjust the dosage or remove pellet at a later date

It may not be as cost-effective as other delivery methods

The invasive nature and permanency of pellet implantation

Help Your Patients Make Informed Choices About BHRT

Effective pellet implantation and resulting therapy require skilled health care practitioners and tailored prescriptions. Pellet placement also matters.

When developing individual treatment plans for BHRT patients, delivery methods can make a big difference in the overall effectiveness. In some cases health practitioners may combine different delivery methods — for instance, progesterone should be administered orally or topically with an estradiol pellet.

Practitioners interested in offering this type of therapy should make sure they’re well-informed, and understand the implications of delivery methods, dosages, combinations, testing methods, and so on.

To learn more about the benefits of BHRT, schedule a free strategy call with us.

Enjoyed this article? Here are three more to help you:

How To Treat Low Androgens With BHRT Menopause and BHRT: What’s the Best Type of Treatment? How BHRT Can Help Patients Ease the Symptoms of Aging

#bhrt training #bhrt online training #pellet implantation

How To Treat Low Androgens With BHRT

Low androgens (testosterone) can cause significant health changes in both men and women.

Even though men produce up to 20 times more testosterone than women, the role of testosterone is just as important to women’s health as estrogen and progesterone.

Along with low or fluctuating estrogen levels in menopause, and estrogen and/or progesterone imbalance in perimenopause and PMS, androgen (testosterone) levels should be checked and managed appropriately if symptoms are impacting a patient’s quality of life.

Here’s how to identify and treat low testosterone levels in women.

About Androgens (Testosterone) in Women

Androgens include testosterone and DHEA. Here, we’ll focus on testosterone. (DHEA deficiency is also common, but it is an adrenal hormone and best covered in that context.)

Testosterone gradually declines so that by age 40 production is about half the amount manufactured during the twenties, unless there is an abrupt change earlier in life, such as an accident or oophorectomy.

In both women and men, testosterone influences:

Hair growth

Lean body mass

Overall strength

Skin thickness

Bone growth

Bone density

Muscle growth

Sex drive

Cholesterol levels

Platelet aggregation

Immune system

Mood

Insulin sensitivity

Since some testosterone gets converted to estrogen, for women a deficiency can lead to low estrogen levels triggering corresponding symptoms such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness.

Symptoms and Signs of Low Androgens

For women, testosterone is fairly steady during the monthly cycle, which is different from the rise and fall of estrogen and progesterone.

About 60% of testosterone is thought to be made by the ovaries and other sources such as conversion from adrenal hormones, creating the remaining 40%.

Women produce around 0.3mg of testosterone daily during their premenopausal years. Interestingly, this is substantially higher than the average production of estradiol, 0.025mg.

Women with low androgens are at increased risk for conditions and symptoms like:

Breast changes

Fertility issues

Vaginal dryness

Missed periods

Low mood

Low sex drive

Increased aches and pain

Hair loss

Bone loss

Muscle loss

Fatigue

Thinning skin

Wrinkles

Low libido

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the more common conditions resulting from higher than normal testosterone levels in women. Some women produce excess androgens which can cause:

Excess body and facial hair growth

Blood sugar imbalances

Acne

Infertility

Since testosterone is an anabolic hormone essential for building tissue, emotional wellbeing, and supporting energy levels if it drops to a deficient level women often experience symptoms.

Women can also notice when their testosterone is drastically lower than what they have been used to. For instance, female athletes often have high-normal testosterone levels in their twenties. If that drops to the lower end of the normal range, they may not feel like themselves.

Low androgens can have a significant impact on gynecological health, leading to vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, incontinence, and impaired sexual function.

Much like estrogen and progesterone, testosterone receptors are plentiful in the brain. Low testosterone may also cause memory or mood changes such as depression or a lack of motivation.

Considerations for Testosterone Replacement Therapy

As mentioned, declining testosterone levels is a normal condition of aging. But health practitioners should be aware of hormone imbalances resulting from other factors such as:

Surgical – removal of ovaries

Oral birth control

Chemotherapy

Ongoing, chronic stress

Depression

Some medications (eg: statins, SSRIs)

As for the treatment of low androgens, patients may be hesitant to take testosterone because many think it is just for men. They may be concerned that it will cause side effects such as facial hair.

The use of testosterone in women does not have virilizing effects at physiological dosing.

As discussed above, women make approximately 0.3mg of testosterone daily in their younger years suggesting dosing should be consistent with this accounting for absorption.

Verifying hormone levels through comprehensive testing should be done prior to prescribing testosterone, not just based on symptoms alone.

The recommended forms of testosterone replacement are pellets, cream, gel, or troches. Oral testosterone replacement for low androgens is not recommended, since it can cause liver toxicity.

The typical symptoms of low testosterone such as low energy, low mood, reduced sexual function, and sex drive, as well as aches and pains, are typically resolved with replacement.

While testosterone can help some with libido and is important for sexual response and arousal, sex drive in women is very complicated. It is affected by other factors such as men unloading the dishwasher, playing with the kids, or giving flowers, chocolate, etc, etc!

Beyond addressing symptoms, correcting testosterone deficiency is important for protecting the health of the brain, heart, and bones.

Discover the Benefits of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hormone imbalance and decline is a natural part of aging and typically causes symptoms that can range from minor to severe.

Low androgens and other hormone imbalances can cause debilitating symptoms if not treated properly. These symptoms may be safely treated via bioidentical hormone therapy (BHRT).

It is in your best interest to learn more about this life-changing, health-promoting modality.

To get started, download our free PDF, Signs, and Symptoms of Hormone Imbalance, or book a consultation.

Enjoyed this article? Here are three more to help you:

How BHRT Can Help Patients Ease the Symptoms of Aging BHRT is a Movement – It’s Not Going Away The Benefits of Opening a Bioidentical Hormone Practice

This article was originally published in 2019 and has been updated in 2021.

#bhrt training #BHRT #bioidentical hormone replacement #bioidentical hormone therapy

Learn BHRT and Be Your Own Boss

BHRT Benefits Providers

Beyond the amazing benefits of BHRT patients experience, providers offering BHRT also experience rewards. One of the most enjoyable is being able to become your own boss.

For a stressed-out busy provider this can be a dream come true. Getting to work the hours that you choose that work best for you and your family is nothing short of wonderful. It is also empowering to be able to make your own decisions as to what modalities you want to utilize for your patients. This isn’t how most of my colleagues or I started.

The Former Work Life Model

You see most of the practitioners I have the honor of teaching are female medical doctors or PAs or NPs. These fine women are doing their best to show up at work for managed care practices and deliver health care to patients with excellence. They have long hours that are dictated by the powers that be. Often, they are undervalued and underpaid. At the same time most have families with children in school that need their moms for their emotional wellbeing and also to help with homework and to get to after-school activities. How stressful it is to try to hurry up to get charting done at the end of the day knowing the kids need to be picked up by a certain time. Even worse is missing out on seeing their little munchkin score a goal because they had to work. Then of course there is always so much to do after work. The end of the day is not the end of the day for hard working women. However, often finances require employment plus they went to school to become doctors or nurses because they have a passion for helping patients.

Speaking of wanting to help patients, before learning BHRT, many providers are trapped in the conventional system of traditional standard of care that prohibits them from thinking outside of the box. My students disliked not being able to make recommendations for supplements instead of medication if they felt the patient would benefit. They were not allowed to make decisions that deviated from what their bosses stipulated.

Can you relate? I sure can. When I first started learning about bioidentical hormones, I had one little daughter. The more I learned the more I wanted to learn and teach and share. Along came 3 more children. I wanted to grow the practice, my platform, write and teach and be with my children too. Being able choose to my own hours made it possible.

A Better Model

The reason BHRT providers can be their own boss is primarily because BHRT is a fee for service modality offered in cash practices. Therefore, providers can keep the revenue they collect versus accepting what insurance will pay. Cash based providers that are their own boss can decide what hours and days they want to work.

The reason this is the most effective model in my opinion is that consultations take 30-60 minutes. BHRT consults simply cannot be done in the insurance-based model where office visits are about 15-20 minutes. By allowing extended times per visit, you can actually spend more time talking, teaching, and listening to the patients’ concerns and not have to rush through the visit. This is a very important feature that will keep patients returning to your office. Also, not having to rush through an office visit is much less stressful on the provider.

Open Your Own Practice

Learning BHRT allows providers to open up their own practice or offer BHRT within an existing practice and be their own boss. I have seen BHRT fit beautifully in Anti-Aging, Integrative, Aesthetics, Plastic Surgery, Medical Weight Loss, and Family Practices. Patient demand supports BHRT and referrals tend to be high. On average revenue can increase at least $1000 per year per patient adding around $10,000 a month once you get established. It does not take that many patients to make a decent income and even allow providers to work part time if they prefer. Learning BHRT enables providers to help patients, actually enjoy practicing medicine and have time and energy left for themselves and their loved ones.

Source:

https://bhrttrainingacademy.com/

#bhrt training #bhrt online training #bhrt

7 Common Symptoms of Hormone Imbalance

Sure, you and your patients know the common menopausal symptoms but in reality, hormone imbalance extends much further. Patients are well read and quite savvy. They understand that stress hormones can go awry, and thyroid function can be compromised. Still yet, I believe what they really want is to come their trusted provider to help them make sense of what they read.

Since we cannot limit our understanding of hormone imbalance to menopause or perimenopausal symptoms, the first step is to acknowledge hormone imbalance can include excess or deficient levels of sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone), adrenal hormones (DHEA and Cortisol), thyroid hormone function, as well as poor glucose metabolism and insulin resistance. In fact, patients can have issues stemming from all of these endocrine glands at the same time!

With this in mind it should be clear that your patients could be experiencing a wide array of symptoms. Comprehensive functional hormone testing can confirm your suspicions. However, these 7 symptoms are tale-tale signs that should get your attention. Feel free to print or copy this text in this mini quiz to share with your patients.

Source:

https://bhrttrainingacademy.com/

#bhrt training #bhrt online training

BHRT is a Movement – It’s Not Going Away

BHRT is a Patient Driven Movement

Having been in the field of BHRT for over 25 years I have followed its history and watched it grow since providers first started prescribing it in the early 90’s. I can confidently say that BHRT is more than just a high demand therapy: it is a movement. It’s a patient-driven movement. No longer satisfied with traditional HRT, women have and will continue to seek BHRT. In fact, the global market for bioidentical hormones is expected to reach US$ 400 million by 2023. It’s a movement driven by women, and supported by practitioners, pharmacists and even a number of medical associations. (BHRT is also supported by research.

Challenges Providers Face

There are a few challenges providers face in order to learn BHRT. First of all, they have to be bold enough to step out of the confinement of the traditional standard of care. BHRT providers consider the science and research, not just what industry-funded organizations say. For example, BHRT providers do prescribe progesterone for women that have had a hysterectomy. They understand the dramatic difference between progesterone and progestins. Progesterone has more than 300 different roles and functions in the body. Women that do not have a uterus still need progesterone to help prevent breast cancer, protect the brain, and build bone just to name a few reasons.

Since BHRT is not taught in medical school, providers have to be willing to invest time to learn this modality. BHRT is complex and definitely not a one dose fits all approach like HRT or birth control pills. It requires purposeful decision making based on each individual’s needs, history, labs, health goals, main complaints, etc.

Like many therapies, training requires a financial investment. Pharmaceutical reps do not drop by the office to leave literature. Conferences and training programs are paid for by the providers themselves.

Yet The Movement Advances

Despite these challenges, the BHRT movement advances on due to the demand. Women are savvy and more well-read than ever. It was women that pushed the trend toward birthing centers or suites instead of cold hospital rooms. They want what they read about in Suzanne Somers books and what they see on Oprah and Dr. Oz. Once they hear about bioidenticals it becomes very logical and patients want options to the traditional standard of care, which they know clearly has many undesirable side effects. Women are looking for providers that will listen to them and not tell them they are crazy or criticize a therapy that the provider has not really given serious consideration. I would say that even though BHRT has been around for 25+ years in the US, it is still in its early stages and the market is still underserved. I can’t even keep up with the number of women that say they wish their doctor, NP, or PA would prescribe bioidentical hormones for them or at the very least be open-minded about BHRT. I just checked google and 118,000 people searched BHRT doctors in the past 76 seconds!

BHRT Providers are the Heroes and Heroines

The providers that have learned how to prescribe BHRT are the heroes and heroines. They are the ones women are seeking out and then telling their hormonal friends about. In my years in this field I have never met a BHRT provider that regrets learning and using bioidentical hormones in their practice. It isn’t uncommon at all to hear from providers sentiments like this nurse practitioner:

“I went through Donna Whites pilot training program a couple of years ago. Her course truly helped me fall in love with hormones and find my passion for treating patients again!”

Erin Gagne, FNP-C

BHRT is very rewarding for providers. They can spend time with these patients and watch them experience dramatic changes in their quality of life. During a BHRT consultation, providers spend quality time with each patient doing what they chose their profession for: helping patients. Also, BHRT is typically a cash service so providers can enjoy a generous revenue. For many providers it’s a chance to work for themselves and break free from being employed by largely managed care medicine.

Perhaps the biggest reward BHRT providers enjoy is patient feedback. It is not uncommon at all to have patients come back after starting BHRT and say things like, “You have changed my life”, I feel like myself again or “My husband thanks you!” The following comment is from a patient that puts into words what many other women experience.

“At a primary care specialist, I was introduced to Donna White, a BHRT Clinical Education Consultant. Donna provided education on how to properly test and treat hormones and their related imbalances. I was immediately switched to bioidentical hormones. Within the ﬁrst week, I became noticeably less depressed, and I had a marked decrease in anxiety and tremendous improvement in food cravings. And over the next year, I lost eighteen pounds without even changing my diet. People are always asking me what I have done to my face, too, because they say my skin looks so much better, and I look younger. Before BHRT, I was on antidepressants, sleep, pain, and anxiety medication. Now I don’t have to take any of those. My life has totally changed thanks to BHRT. I would like to encourage women to help themselves with this type of testing and treatment.”

Janice G.

Don’t Get Left Behind The Movement

If you are reading this blog, you must at least be curious and likely have patients asking you about BHRT. On behalf of the BHRT providers all across the US and millions of women struggling with hormone imbalance, what are you waiting for? You can start doing some reading today. Download my “Quick Start Guide to BHRT for Medical Providers” to get started.

Next, I challenge you to test your own hormones. My opinion is that you really need to experience the process yourself to really help these women and some of the very best providers are the ones that got into BHRT due to their own hormone challenges. Download the most Reputable Hormone Testing Labs resource pdf. It includes some of my recommendations for webinars on their websites that I consider a must-watch.

Whether you are brand new or have been prescribing BHRT for a while, the educational resources on laboratory websites are excellent and presented by leading experts in the field. Sign up for their newsletters to follow the consistent educational content they all provide. If you are brand new, most labs will offer you a test kit for yourself at gratis and even talk through the results with you.

Lastly, I suggest that you get started pretty soon. Women are going somewhere for help. Why let your patients go somewhere else?

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/bioidentical-hormones-market-4187

Click Here To Download BHRT Reputable Hormone Testing Labs

Source:

https://bhrttrainingacademy.com

#bhrt training #BHRT #bioidentical hormone replacement #hormones

Think There is No Research To Support The Use of BHRT? Think Again!

I am sure you have read or heard someone say that there is no research to support the use of bioidentical hormones, often referred to as Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy BHRT for short. One the other hand, proponents declare that there is plenty of supporting evidence. Who is right? There certainly is a lot of conflicting information about bioidentical hormones and BHRT presented on the internet and thru the media. There is no wonder health care providers as well as patients are confused. I will help sort it all out in this blog.

Why the Confusion About BHRT Research Anyway?

Before I dispel the misinformation regarding the so-called lack of research on BHRT I want to address why there is even an argument in the first place. I propose that the main reason many have come to the conclusion that there is no research to support the use of BHRT is that when they peruse the data looking for studies on BHRT there isn’t much to find. That is because of this word “bioidentical” – it is not yet a medically accepted word. It is more of a marketing or slang word. All the same, personally I think it is an accurate way to describe hormones that are biologically identical to human endogenously produced hormones. (For more details read my previous blog WHAT ARE BIOIDENTICAL HORMONES AND ARE THEY SAFE FOR YOUR PATIENTS) When searching through medical data, what you dofind are studies on estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone. The hormones often used in studies arebioidentical hormones. However, they do not use the word “bioidentical”, just the name of the real hormone as in estradiol, for example.

BHRT Research

Actually, there are decades of published studies that first started showing up as early as 1976. In addition, there are recent popular studies including the Keeps Study, the Danish Study, WHI, The Pepi Trial, E3N, and the Danish Nurses Cohort Study that shed more light on this debate.

Here is a summary of what these studies demonstrated in regard to bioidentical hormones:

Bioidentical hormones have distinctly different effects.

Patients report greater satisfaction with HRT using progesterone vs progestin.

Progesterone is associated with a diminished risk for breast cancer compared to increased risk with progestins.

Progestins have a variety of negative cardiovascular effects including reduction of HDL, etc.

Estriol, estradiol, estrone and CEE have different physiological effects.

Transdermal estradiol is not associated with the same risk as oral estradiol.

Hysterectomized women treated with estradiol showed significant decrease inbreast cancer and mortality.

Estradiol can be continued for at least 10 years without an increase in adverseevents and does not result in increased risk of breast cancer or stroke.

Research Comparing Bioidentical Hormones to Non-Bioidentical

Even more compelling is research that compares the effects of bioidentical hormones to non-bioidentical hormones. Non-bioidentical hormones are hormones that have a different molecular structure than human hormones. These include Conjugated Equine Estrogen (CEE), Ethinyl Estradiol, or Medroxy Progestin Acetate for example. Here is the summary of what you need to know from the citations comparing non-bioidenticals to bioidenticals. I will share the references below for your review.

Bioidentical hormones convey more favorable or equally effective results than non-bioidentical hormones.

Bioidentical hormones are equally or more effective for these key symptoms sleep, mood, and vasomotor symptoms

Bioidentical hormones have been shown to improve lipid profiles, be safer, and lack side effects demonstrated with non-bioidenticals.

The risks associated with CEE and progestins in regard to breast cancer and cardiovascular events have not been reported with bioidentical hormones.

One of the most important things we have learned is that you cannot extrapolate the results from research done on one type of hormone and then apply it to a different type of hormone. I recall the days when some uninformed medical professionals contended that all hormones are the same. That does not agree with what we know from basic chemistry – the molecular structure determines its properties.

Let it no longer be said there is no research on bioidentical hormones or they have not been shown to be safe. As you can see there isreputable data and furthermore bioidentical hormones have been demonstrated to be safer than their non-bioidentical counter parts.

I am convinced that patients prefer to work with open-minded, well-informed practitioners on this topic. In fact, they are looking for you right now. In addition to the fact that BHRT is evidenced based, not a fad compliance is very high. Some clinicians estimate compliance is at least 90% or higher. As you know compliance on conventional HRT is very low. Potential reasons for the poor compliance are assumed to be side effects or fear. In my 25+ years of experience in the field BHRT, women are seeking BHRT which makes them feel so much better. Patients are well read now and want their providers to be resources they can trust to help manage their hormones. With that in mind, in view of the growing body of research, as a provider you can confidently recommend and even begin to learn how to prescribe and implement BHRT into your practice.

Trending Blogs

Recently Viewed Blogs

BHRT Training Academy