The human body requires a harmonious balance of different hormones that it produces for normal growth, development and well-being. When this balance is not achieved by normal physiological processes supplementation is necessary and ideally with hormones that most closely resemble those that are produced by the body. When we use bio-identical hormones to address the imbalance, therapy is tracked through testing and customized based on your symptoms and desired status of health.

Bio-identical hormones are hormones developed with the same structure as those produced or found naturally in the human body. Examples of these include estrogen ( estradiol, estrone, estriol), progesterone, testosterone.

Bio-identical hormones differ from synthetic hormones in chemical structure, effectiveness and safety profile.

Synthetic hormones are by intention, chemically different from hormones that are naturally made by the human body. This allows them to be patented, examples of which include Premarin® (horse estrogen) and Provera®. Despite being able to bind to the same receptors in the human body, the different chemical structures mean that synthetic hormones may not be an ‘exact fit’ with the intended receptors in your body and that could then result in sub-optimal or excessive responses. This also translates to a possible excess of side effects as they bind to other receptors along with the intended ones.

Bio-identical hormones are an appealing therapeutic option because they are natural and your body can metabolize them as designed to, thereby minimizing the risk of side effects. Doses can also be individually tailored to suit your needs, something that cannot be achieved with mass-marketed synthetic hormones. Although not well studied for long-term use, several European studies already suggest that bio-identical hormones are safer than synthetic ones. All medication, nevertheless, needs to be prescribed and used appropriately so you should not think of any as completely safe.

Bio-identical hormones are derived from hormonal structures found in plants, examples of which include yam and soy. These are then developed further in a laboratory so that they match those produced in your body.

Therapy with bio-identical hormones benefits both men and women.

Replacing estrogen and progesterone can help to relieve menopausal symptoms, prevent osteoporosis and mental decline as well as protect against heart disease in menopausal women. Perimenopausal hormone imbalances can be corrected with bio-identical hormone therapy along with the restoration of normal menstrual cycles in younger women.

Bio-identical hormone therapy goes beyond that of estrogen and progesterone supplementation. Testosterone supplementation, for instance, can also be used in therapy for males to help restore mood, muscle mass, energy levels and sexual function.

Despite the varied uses of bio-identical hormones in therapy, they should only be initiated under the supervision of a qualified medical practitioner. Once initiated, therapy still requires adherence and monitoring for optimal benefit.

Not necessarily, it really depends on the nature of your situation and related conditions.

Bio-identical hormone therapy is generally better tolerated along with having a minimized side effect profile because bio-identical hormones are able to fit well with their intended receptors in your body.

Notwithstanding the benefits, there are situations where a more potent pharmaceutical medication may be required for adequate control of a particular condition. Examples include suppressing ovulation in birth control as well as in treating painful menstrual cycles as a result of endometriosis.

Yes, they can only be obtained for therapy by prescription from a qualified medical practitioner. A valid prescription has to be presented before we can compound bio-identical hormone therapy for you.

Examples of bio-identical hormones that we can compound for you include estradiol, estriol, estrone, progesterone and testosterone.

The choice and then, appropriate dose of bio-identical hormone replacement therapy will often be determined by your physician after you have completed certain blood and laboratory tests.

Either a blood test or saliva test is often useful in determining your baseline hormone levels and the need for bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. The initial dose is then determined taking into account your test results, symptoms and preferences expressed during consultation with your physician.

Once therapy has begun, appropriate monitoring is required to ensure that the dosing of your bio-identical hormone therapy gives you optimal results. This is helped if you have regular follow-up visits with your physician and the appropriate laboratory tests are done at regular intervals, often beginning at the 3rd month of therapy.

Results will often vary depending on your individual bio-identical hormone replacement therapy as well as your situation, condition and lifestyle. Nevertheless, you should be able to notice results within 3 to 6 months of starting therapy.

This largely depends on you and the outcome of consultations with your doctor. It could be indefinitely because evidence suggests that women generally feel better and experience positive health outcomes when on long-term bio-identical hormone therapy at safe and effective doses. This is especially so as the body hormone levels begin a consistent decline at the onset of menopause. The therapy nevertheless has to suit your condition and some conditions may benefit more from short-term therapy with bio-identical hormones.

Ideally minimal side effects should be experienced when hormone levels are restored to those of youthful levels. A minority of women have reported breast tenderness and swollen joints upon first starting therapy with bio-identical hormones but these conditions can often be alleviated by reducing the dosage. Long-term side effects are highly unlikely with a well-tailored regime coupled with regular monitoring of hormone levels.

This is unlikely. Depending on the dosage forms of your medication and the nature of your condition, the effectiveness of conventional therapy may be altered. Some medicines can often be reduced at the discretion of your treating physician while other may no longer be required when you are on bio-identical hormone therapy.

All, medically trained, appropriately licensed and practicing physicians can prescribe compounded medication.

Compounding involves simply the mixing of two or more ingredients including medication and excipients to form a final medicinal product. A compounding pharmacy can legally compound medication and tailor therapy to suit your individual needs.

The compounding pharmacy is able to dispense compounded prescriptions for you. These prescriptions involve customized medication prepared by a compounding pharmacist according to your doctor’s specifications to meet your individual needs.

Such prescriptions can also be prepared for your pets based on a compounded prescription from the vet that you bring your pet to see.

A compounding pharmacist is at the heart of a compounding pharmacy and is the facilitator of customized medication for you as decided upon from consultation with your doctor.

Safety is an important concern and we work closely with your physician to ensure that the choice of therapy is both safe and in your best interest. Our consultation with your physician allows the determination of a formulation’s procedures and ingredients. In most instances, your physician will specify the ingredients while the procedures are determined by our expertise.

Within our compounding pharmacy, every compounded dosage form is made under trained direct supervision. Before you receive the final product, it is checked carefully to ensure that it has been properly prepared and then appropriately dispensed.

A various array of conditions will benefit directly from therapy with compounded medication. There will however, be individuals who have conditions that benefit more from therapy with manufactured pharmaceutical drugs. A consultation with your doctor should help you to weigh the benefits of compounded medication against that of mass manufactured medication so that your eventual therapy optimizes your health outcome.

Yes, the benefits of compounded medication extend to pets as well and you just need to present at a compounding pharmacy with a prescription by the vet that you bring your pet to see.

Your pet may actually benefit more from being given compounded medication as pets have been known to be able to eat around medication that is hidden in their food. A compounding pharmacist can often compound medication for your pet so that the most appropriate doses can be given and the dosage form can be compounded to suitably integrate into your pet’s food.

Not necessarily so. Compounded medication can cost less than conventional mass marketed medication in instances where small doses are compounded or ingredient costs are low. Compounded medication can cost more when formulations are lengthy or ingredient costs are high.

The overall cost of your therapy can be divided into three parts. The first part involves the consultation with your physician. The second part is for the laboratory tests that help in diagnosing your condition, monitoring progress and determining the appropriate medication to be compounded along with doses to treat your condition while the final element is the cost of your medication itself.

The overall regime of compounded medication therapy is often comparable with that of other medication regimes.