Bio Identical Hormones
As we age our hormone levels, chemical messengers in the body, often decline. As they decline we can experience a wide variety of declining health functions. Even though this is widespread it is possible to address this situation.

What are Bioidentical Hormones?
Bio identical hormone replacement therapy (also known as natural hormone replacement therapy) is the treatment of the symptoms of menopause, perimenopause and general hormone imbalance through the use of bio identical hormones (instead of synthetic hormones).

Bioidentical hormones, contrary to synthetic hormones, are extracted from natural sources, plants like soybean and wild yams, and their molecular structure is identical to that of the hormones produced by our bodies. They can also be compounded (made into cream) to suit your specific hormone replacements needs, allowing you to receive individualized treatment.

Are bioidentical hormones better than synthetic hormones?
The great appeal of bioidentical hormones is that they are natural, and our bodies can metabolize them as it was designed to do, minimizing side effects. Synthetic hormones are quite strong and often produce intolerable side effects. Moreover, the compounded bioidentical hormones can be matched individually to each woman’s needs - something that’s just impossible with mass-produced products.

Some advantages of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy are;  improved look and feel of hair and skin, weight loss, improved sex drive, improved mental health, lower cholesterol levels, decreased risk of osteoporosis, decreased risk of heart attack and stroke and so much more!

Are bioidentical hormones safer than synthetics?
European medical studies suggest that yes, bioidentical hormones are safer than synthetic versions.

What are the symtoms of menopause?
Hot flashes, flushes, night sweats and/or cold flashes, clammy feeling

• Irregular heart beat
• Irritability
• Mood swings, sudden tears
• Trouble sleeping through the night (with or without night sweats)
• Irregular periods; shorter, lighter periods; heavier periods, flooding; phantom periods, shorter cycles, longer cycles
• Loss of libido
• Dry vagina
• Crashing fatigue
• Anxiety, feeling ill at ease
• Feelings of dread, apprehension, doom
• Difficulty concentrating, disorientation, mental confusion
• Disturbing memory lapses
• Incontinence, especially upon sneezing, laughing; urge incontinence
• Itchy, crawly skin
• Aching, sore joints, muscles and tendons
• Increased tension in muscles
• Breast tenderness
• Headache change: increase or decrease
• Gastrointestinal distress, indigestion, flatulence, gas pain, nausea
• Sudden bouts of bloat
• Depression
• Exacerbation of existing conditions
• Increase in allergies
• Weight gain
• Hair loss or thinning, head, pubic, or whole body; increase in facial hair
• Dizziness, light-headedness, episodes of loss of balance
• Changes in body odor
• Electric shock sensation under the skin and in the head
• Tingling in the extremities
• Gum problems, increased bleeding
• Burning tongue, burning roof of mouth, bad taste in mouth, change in breath odor
• Osteoporosis (after several years)
• Changes in fingernails: softer, crack or break easier
• Tinnitus: ringing in ears, bells, 'whooshing,' buzzing etc.

What is perimenopause?
Perimenopause, or menopause transition, is the stage of a woman's reproductive life that begins several years before menopause, when the ovaries gradually begin to produce less estrogen. It usually starts in a woman's 40s, but can start in the 30s as well.

Perimenopause lasts up until menopause, the point when the ovaries stop releasing eggs. In the last one to two years of perimenopause, this decline in estrogen accelerates. At this stage, many women experience menopausal symptoms.

How Long Does Perimenopause Last?
The average length of perimenopause is four years, but for some women this stage may last only a few months or continue for 10 years. Perimenopause ends the first year after menopause (when a woman has gone 12 months without having her period).

What Are the Signs of Perimenopause?
You will know you are transitioning into menopause when you begin experiencing some or all of the following symptoms:

• Hot flashes
• Breast tenderness
• Worsening of premenstrual syndrome
• Decreased libido (sex drive)
• Fatigue
• Irregular periods
• Vaginal dryness; discomfort during sex
• Urine leakage when coughing or sneezing
• Urinary urgency (a pressing need to urinate more frequently)
• Mood swings
• Difficulty sleeping 

Some advantages of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy are;  improves the look and feel of hair and skin, weight loss, improves sex drive, improves mental health, lowers cholesterol levels, decreases the risk of osteoporosis, decreases the risk of heart attack and stroke and more.


Hormones Tested

• Estrogen
• Progesterone
• DHEA
• Pregnenolone
• Tesosterone
• Thyroid
• Cortisol
  

Testing for Hormones
Hormones are potent in their effect and must be used wisely. Testing for hormones is easily accomplished with at home salivary collection kits. We offer a wide variety of medical grade tests.

• Hormone Testing

Not Certain What To Do Next?
If you are uncertain as to which products or programs to use or which tests to take; or, if you would like additional help:

• Contact us with a brief question.
• Arrange a phone consultation with Dr. Forrest.
  Call ( 408) 354-4262