As a result of Oprah’s one week series dedicated to BHRT, (aka Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy), The Renewal Point has had a deluge of interest in the topic.

Women and men are asking, “What are they” and “Are they for me?”

This isn’t the first time BHRT has achieved star status.  In her books, Ageless, Breakthrough, and The Sexy Years, as well as in her prolific media exposure, Suzanne Somers described how bio-identical hormones relieved her menopause symptoms, saving her “life” and her sanity.  She was joined on Oprah’s show by Faith Hill-McGraw and Dr. Oz, all singing the praises of bio-identical hormones. (“The Oprah Winfrey Show”, 1/29/09)

BHRT is not new at The Renewal Point either.  For nearly 20 years, BHRT has been the backbone of our clinical practice.  Patients have found our BHRT protocols a godsend for PMS, mood swings, sleep disorders, perimenopausal symptoms, menopause and other related symptoms and problems.  And, we’ve found that women feel their best when they’re informed about their options so they can decide what works for them.   Let’s explore what is known about bio-identical hormones and how The Renewal Point approaches BHRT so that any decision you make has a medical basis and not simply a pursuit of “star status”.

Hormone Balancing

Your body’s hormones – produced in various glands of your body – act as “messengers,” sending signals to your cells to function, grow, regulate or balance important body processes. Though it is well-known that the levels of some of these hormones fall as we get older, it is not common knowledge that almost all of these hormones diminish during the course of life or change dramatically to life’s stresses. 

As hormone levels fall or fluctuate, they cause the signs and symptoms of PMS, perimenopause, and menopause. The good news is that with a skilled approach that includes testing, treatment with bio-identical hormones, then retesting, your body’s hormones can be rebalanced naturally and safely. Rebalancing hormones using natural bio-identical hormones is the “hallmark” of The Renewal Point’s health and age management programs. 

We use bio-identical hormones rather than synthetic hormones because synthetics are typically patented chemicals, many of which are known to have side effects that can include increased risk of cancer.  Bio-identical hormones, on the other hand, are identical to the body’s naturally produced hormones, adding the “missing ingredient” for efficient body function.  They can actually “re-train” your body to function more as it did at a younger age!

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

Because everyone’s hormone profile is as different as their finger print, we first must run blood or saliva tests in order to determine their particular values.  The results along with our patient’s symptoms give us clues to prescribing just the right formula to balance each one individually.  (Important: This is not the one-size-fits-all formula of pharmaceutical hormone replacement.)  We then continue careful follow-ups on patients to “tweak” those hormones, if needed.

Many hormones are involved in this balance, as hormones act as individual instruments in a symphony.  If one of the “instruments” is off, the whole orchestra sounds bad.   These include the estrogens (there are three), progesterone, DHEA, thyroid, cortisol (the stressor hormone), testosterone and pregnenolone.  All of these hormones work in concert to stop hot flashes, stifling mood swings, regain youthful skin and a firm body, improve breast fullness, libido, vaginal lubrication, curb weight gain and food cravings. Individual formulas are made up by compounding pharmacists based on each patient’s lab work and symptoms and are available through many different routes: skin cream, pellets, flavorful sublingual drops, lozenges, pills or troques.

Sources of Bioidentical Hormones

The source of bioidentical hormones begins with plants such as soy and yams; a far cry from one of the most common pharmaceutical hormones Premarin®, which is derived from pregnant horse mares’ urine! Our TeamPersonalized and individualized attention is foremost with our team of medical doctors, Physician’s Assistants, Registered Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses and staff are expertly trained in the “art” of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement.  Leading our team of experts is Dr. Watts, Founder of The Renewal Point who has been balancing hormones with natural bioidenticals for nearly two decades. (See Bio: Dr. Watts)

Discover your hormone balance – Take the self assessment to determine if BHRT is right for you – call our office for more information @ (941) 926-4905.