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Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) is a safe and natural treatment that is effective in treating hormone imbalances in women and men with age related and other hormonal imbalances. This treatment uses bioidentical hormones that come from natural sources like soy & wild yams to create bioidentical matches of the hormones that
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) is a safe and natural treatment that is effective in treating hormone imbalances in women and men with age related and other hormonal imbalances. This treatment uses bioidentical hormones that come from natural sources like soy & wild yams to create bioidentical matches of the hormones that the body produces naturally. The Endocrine Society has defined bioidentical hormones as “compounds that have exactly the same chemical and molecular structure as hormones that are produced in the human body.” Once administered to the body, these hormones begin to integrate seamlessly into the bloodstream for use by the body to restore balance.
Bioidentical hormones are safe because, like your own hormones, they fit perfectly into the hormone receptors of the cells in the body where they do their work.
These hormones provide an effective solution for hormonal imbalances. When comparing Bioidentical Hormones vs. Synthetic, there is evidence that bioidentical hormones result in fewer side effects than conventional hormones while providing greater symptom relief. BHRT is effective in treating the symptoms caused by:
The 'V-Shot' PRP is a revolutionary, natural, non-surgical treatment that uses platelet rich plasma (PRP) to help restore vaginal health.
Platelet rich plasma, whose therapeutic value is equal to that of stem cells, is currently one of the most promising therapy agents in regenerative medicine. It is increasingly being used in different a
The 'V-Shot' PRP is a revolutionary, natural, non-surgical treatment that uses platelet rich plasma (PRP) to help restore vaginal health.
Platelet rich plasma, whose therapeutic value is equal to that of stem cells, is currently one of the most promising therapy agents in regenerative medicine. It is increasingly being used in different areas of medicine including aesthetic dermatology, orthopedics, sports medicine and surgery. PRP contains a high quantity of growth factors and is derived from your own blood. When it is painlessly injected, it can activate stem cells and stimulate new tissue growth and rejuvenation. This treatment rejuvenates the "orgasm system" by stimulating stem cells found in the tissue. New blood vessels & sensory cells are formed to increase function & improve sensitivity. This will also heal thinned tissue making the vagina tighter which will help eliminate urinary leakage.
PRP involves separating platelets from your own blood and reinjecting it back into your body to rejuvenate the tissues. Your platelets contain a host of growth factors that recruit local stem cells to repair the injected area. You may start experiencing the benefits of PRP in several days but on average can take several weeks. An optional second treatment can be given within a few months to enhance and lengthen the overall effectiveness of the treatment. PRP is safe and effective. PRP has been used successfully in medicine since 1972 and has a long track record of safety and effectiveness.
The 'V-Shot' can help women suffering from:
'V-Shot' Benefits:
Peptide therapy is the targeted use of natural peptides to produce a specific reaction in the body. Peptides are chains of amino acids which are the building blocks of proteins. Some peptides have been shown to assist with weight loss by stimulating the breakdown of visceral fat. They may also be utilized to reduce inflammation. Some pept
Peptide therapy is the targeted use of natural peptides to produce a specific reaction in the body. Peptides are chains of amino acids which are the building blocks of proteins. Some peptides have been shown to assist with weight loss by stimulating the breakdown of visceral fat. They may also be utilized to reduce inflammation. Some peptides stimulate the production of human growth hormone and are utilized in anti-aging therapies or to increase healthy physiologic muscle mass. Some are used to support the growth/repair of injured tendon, muscle and cartilage. They may also be used directly on the skin after medical micro-needling to support new facial collagen or new hair growth for scalp treatments. Peptides are typically administered through the skin as a subcutaneous injection. They can also be applied in a cream, a nasal spray or in oral form depending on the desired effect.
Peptide therapy offers a range of potential benefits, although it's important to note that the specific effects can vary depending on the type of peptide used and the individual's health condition. Here are some of the benefits associated with peptide therapy:
BHRT FAQ’s
Hormones are involved in most of the body’s basic functions like digestion, appetite, immune function, brain function, libido, and mood. Low or imbalanced hormone levels can have widespread effects on your health and feeling of well-being. We believe in an individualized, natural, and stable form of hormone balancing so we can age gracefully. Every patient is treated as an individual with a customized and long-term healthcare plan that addresses their individual hormone needs. Even if you have been told your levels are “normal”, as actual hormone specialists, at Chellino Health. we know there is much more to the big picture than just lab numbers on a sheet of paper. 'Textbook normal' is most likely is not your normal.
What Are Bioidentical Hormones?
Bioidentical hormones are man-made from plant estrogens and have the same molecular structure and act the same as natural human hormones. The body recognizes and uses these hormones in the same way it uses the hormones it produces naturally. Because bioidentical hormones are recognized in the same way as the body’s natural hormones, they can result in a more natural interaction with the body than with traditional, synthetic hormones.
What is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Pellet Therapy?
BHRT pellets are a unique way to get the hormones used to treat hormone imbalances into the body. Pellet therapy is a simple, quick, office procedure. Your provider inserts a prescribed number of rice grain sized pellets under the skin, in your subcutaneous fat near the upper buttocks. These pellets will release steady small amounts of hormones directly into your bloodstream for several months.
How Long Does It Take to Adjust to Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Everyone is different and will have varying times of adjustment. Full results from BHRT can be felt within a few months, with some immediate relief coming in a few days.
The Hormone Shift
It is possible you may experience some minor, short term side effects such as fatigue, bloating, mild pain, breast tenderness & menstrual changes/spotting. Everyone’s hormone shift is different. This is normal! Many patients don’t report any side effects at all.
Why Isn’t BHRT Approved by the FDA?
Bioidentical hormones are not mass produced like synthetic hormones. Traditional HRT is FDA certified because the production process is standardized. They are created in standard forms and in controlled, regulated doses. Bioidentical hormones are custom made and custom dosed for the needs of each individual patient. While this increases the effectiveness of treatment, it makes getting FDA approval nearly impossible, because there is no “standard” approach to BHRT treatment.
Who is Bioidentical Hormone Therapy For?
BHRT is for almost anyone with hormonal imbalances. As men and women age, the levels of some key hormones in the body naturally decrease. The most common conditions treated with BHRT are:
· Perimenopause
· Menopause
· Andropause (aka. male menopause)
· Sexual Dysfunctions/Low Libido
· Thyroid Diseases
· Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
· Weight Gain
· Adrenal Disorders
How often will I need to come back to receive pellets?
The average time for women is every 3-4 months. The average time for men is every 4-6 months depending on how your body absorbs the hormone pellets.
Unwanted hair and/or Acne from the testosterone?
There is less chance of hair growth with biologically identical hormones than synthetic hormones. You may experience some faster and/or unwanted hair growth. Acne can be a side effect of testosterone replacement. It is usually very minor and clears up quickly on its own. If you are experiencing this, please let us know. We can help with that.
BHRT and breast cancer… The breast cancer myth.
The breast cancer myth started over 20 years ago with a flawed & bogus study utilizing synthetic hormones. There are more and more studies showing that BHRT is breast tissue protective and can decrease your risk of getting breast cancer.
The NHANES study involving over 5000 women followed for over 20 years showed no increase in breast cancer risk or other types of health risks with BHRT.
Kent Holtorf, MD, published an article in Postgraduate Medicine: Volume 121: No. 1, entitled “The Bioidentical Hormone Debate.” He analyzed all of the published clinical studies of the time and presented a “meta-analysis,” a powerful way to look at evidence-based studies in the medical world as it examines all of the available data rather than a single study. This particular review has 196 cited references. His conclusion:
“Physiological data and clinical outcomes demonstrate that bio-identical hormones are associated with lower risks, including the risk of breast cancer and cardiovascular disease, and are more efficacious than their synthetic and animal derived counterparts.”
Women who took testosterone via hormone pellets as part of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) had a 35.5% lower incidence of invasive breast cancer compared to expected age adjusted Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) rates.
“This study reaffirms that hormone imbalances are an urgent medical condition for women, and that optimizing hormones responsibly cannot just improve quality of life, but actually prevent disease.”
How do I get my hormones tested?
During your initial consultation, we will discuss your symptoms, goals, and treatment options. If you decide to move forward with a treatment plan, we will write you a lab slip, and you can go to the lab of your choice to have your blood drawn.
Benefits of BHRT for Women
· Lessen hot flashes and night sweats
· Relieve vaginal symptoms, such as dryness, itching, burning, and painful intercourse
· Improve sleep
· Increase energy
· Ease an overactive bladder and sometimes put an end to recurring urinary tract infections
· Relieve joint aches and pains
· Protect your bones to prevent bone fractures in later years
· Stabilize your mood, improve depression and anxiety
· Lower your risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes
· Reduce the irritability and brain fog that goes with insomnia
· Enhance your memory
· Boost thyroid hormone
Benefits of BHRT for Men
· Increase energy and motivation
· Boost sex drive
· Help with erectile dysfunction
· Reduce fat, build muscle
· Improve sleep
· Reduce irritability
· Relieve hot flashes
· Prostate protective
· Stabilize your mood, improve depression and anxiety
· Enhance memory and concentration
· Help prevent prostate problems
· Strengthen your bones
· Lower your risk of heart disease
Can BHRT help with thyroid/Adrenal/PCOS issues?
Absolutely! Bioidentical hormones are a powerful and effective treatment option for those looking for an alternative to conventional treatment.
What is the Difference between Bioidentical and synthetic hormones?
Bioidentical hormones typically have a different range of effects at the cellular level. This is because bioidentical hormones behave in an identical way to the hormones already in the human body. Traditional HRT uses synthetic hormones. Although these synthetics contain animal estrogens which are not natural to humans, the hormones bind to human estrogen receptors. Because of the difference between traditional and bioidentical hormones in the chemical compound, synthetic hormones are not ideally matched to the human body. This means that often synthetic hormones do not react in the body the same way as natural hormones do. Bioidentical hormones function in exactly the same way as the body’s natural hormones. Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy has been shown to reduce the risk of many health issues including heart disease, osteoporosis, cancer & diseases such as dementia.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections for Urinary Stress Incontinence & Female Sexual Dysfunction
The V-Shot PRP treatment will help our female patients rejuvenate and repair damaged tissue for conditions associated with female sexual dysfunction, including urinary incontinence, urine leakage, painful intercourse, vaginal atrophy, difficulty reaching orgasm, lichen sclerosis, and interstitial cystitis. The use of PRP in cosmetic medicine is not limited to vaginal rejuvenation as has been widely popular for musculoskeletal rehabilitation, healing, and other types of rejuvenation throughout the body. Results will vary, but the effect from a single PRP treatment can last 1-4 years with the average being 18-24 months.
Where injected, PRP stimulates growth and repair of connective tissue and aides in the natural healing process by offering a high concentration of platelets. The platelets encourage stem cell activity, release of essential growth factors, and restore vitality, circulation, and optimal tissue function. The PRP procedure is a simple yet effective one. First, a small amount of blood is drawn from the patient’s arm so that it can be processed and separated into its key parts. The centrifugation isolates blood platelets and its associated growth factors with the serum of the blood. The vaginal area is numbed first with a numbing cream, then by a local anesthetic. Finally, using a very fine needle, the PRP is injected into the vaginal and vulvar tissue in specific areas for maximum healing and effect. You will feel little to no discomfort throughout this procedure. You may feel a pressure sensation but no pain. The entire procedure takes one hour or less and causes very minor, if any, discomfort.
Due to the potency and efficiency of PRP, it has a long, safe track record in other medical fields including oral healthcare, sports medicine, and orthopedics. With respect to aesthetic medicine and vaginal rejuvenation, it produces satisfying results for G-spot and clitoral enhancement, vaginal tightening, and reduction of stress urinary incontinence.
The use of PRP in your vaginal rejuvenation treatment strategy can help achieve the expected benefits such as:
* arousal from stimulation of the clitoris.
* Reduction or elimination of stress urinary incontinence
* Tighter, more elastic vaginal canal
* Greater sensitivity to G-spot stimulation
* Increased libido and sexual desire
* Repairs vaginal & clitoral atrophy
* Higher chance of achieving a “vaginal” orgasm
* Experiencing more frequent and intense orgasms
* Relief from dyspareunia or painful intercourse
* Increased production of natural lubrication
* Increase in arousal from clitoral stimulation
* Rejuvenation and tightening of the vaginal tissue
* Younger, smoother skin externally
* Enhanced sensitivity during intimacy
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) is a fascinating field of medicine with enormous amounts of research devoted to it. We have pulled together relevant BHRT articles for those who are interested in a deeper review. The list of scientific studies will help you gain additional insight into the ongoing research and its implications. Click on the links to read the studies.
Testosterone Therapy In Women: Myths and Misconceptions
Why Women Need Testosterone Replacement
Misperceptions of Testosterone Replacement Therapy and Heart Disease Risk
The Mortality Toll of Estrogen Avoidance: An Analysis of Excess Deaths Among
Hysterectomized Women Aged 50 to 59 Years
Estrogen Replacement Therapy in Breast Cancer Survivors: a Matched-Controlled Series
Estrogen Replacement Therapy After Breast Cancer: A 12-Year Follow-Up
Testosterone Therapy May Lower Risk of Heart Disease
Early Initiation of HRT ‘Halves Risk of Death or CVD’
Estrogen Is a New Weapon Against Urinary Tract Infection in Post Menopausal Woman
Estrogen Replacement Therapy May Save Lives After All
Testosterone Therapy Does Not Hike Risk of Aggressive Prostate Cancer
To get started, all you have to do is call the office and schedule your initial consultation for the treatment(s) you are interested in. If you are interested in more than one treatment, when scheduling, please let our staff know so they can schedule you for multiple consultations at the same appointment. Each consultation begins with an in person meeting with our Board Certified Practioner and Master Certified Hormone Specialist. We will provide a careful assessment of your personal needs and goals to structure the proper program options for you. We will answer any questions or concerns you may have at your consultation. If you choose to move forward with one of our programs or therapies, we will send you for your initial bloodwork. Once your lab results are received, we can start you on your treatment.
Yes! It is best to make the switch as soon as possible.
One of the main side effects of the synthetic progestins (a synthetic progesterone compound) was an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Synthetic forms have the potential to incite and increase estrogen related breast cell mitosis, this is to say the division and spreading of cells. This out of control cellular division is known as cancer. Synthetic hormones have also been shown to convert endogenous estrogens into stronger variants. These stronger, even toxic versions of estrogen can stimulate cancer formation.
Bioidentical hormones inhibit breast cell division and have been said to stop breast cancer (by acting on kinase inhibitors). Naturally derived progesterone has been described as having a protective role in the female body by preventing breast cancer. While new research is always being conducted, recent discoveries seem to show that bioidentical hormones are a safer long term alternative to controversial synthetic forms.
The main difference between synthetic hormones and bioidentical hormones is accuracy. Bioidentical hormones replicate the exact molecular structure of naturally produced hormones (estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, etc.), resulting in a hormone that functions far better than synthetic forms. Bioidentical hormones aim to get around the problem of mismatched hormones by starting with a natural hormone as a base, treating menopause, hot flashes and a myriad of other conditions more efficiently.
Look at it this way, hormones have conversations with cells, “telling them” to act a certain way. With synthetic hormones, it’d be like trying to send a text message using talk-to-text on your phone, some things are going to be lost in translation. With bioidentical hormones however, it is like having a conversation with another human.
Yes, but it's complicated.
Health insurance generally will not cover therapies prescribed as part of holistic, alternative or progressive treatment plans like Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy, V-Shot PRP or regenerative peptides. However, there are certain areas where we are able to use insurance. We will do our best to use your insurance wherever we can to help ease your out of pocket costs. We will let you know where and if we can bill your insurance so there are no surprises.
Chellino Health Nurse Practioner
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