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For information on Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) please Click Here to view our comprehensive treatment FAQ, or to book a consultation contact your chosen clinic from the list directly.
[23 miles from Walkden]
RejuvaMed Health & Wellness offers medical cosmetic & skincare treatments led by Consultant Doctor, Grant McKeating, vascular treatments with Mr Vittorio Perricone, women's health services with Dr H...[READ MORE]
Holmes Cottage, Woone Lane, Clitheroe, BB7 1BG
[31 miles from Walkden]
At Sarah White Aesthetics we pride ourselves on our highly skilled team and the quality and continued development of the large range of hospital-based aesthetic treatments we offer. We are at the for...[READ MORE]
The Stables, 242 Telegraph Road, Heswall, Wirral, CH60 7SG
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) FAQ
As we age we experience many physical changes within our bodies, from visible ageing such as changes in the tone and texture of our skin, to internal ageing related to a slow-down in the production of various cells and hormones within our bodies. Ageing also affects fertility and sexual appetite due to the reduction in sex hormones. For women, this brings about the end of their egg productivity and child bearing ability, with the menopause. But, there is also the andropause, or the male menopause, which is mentioned less often but is a recognised condition associated with a fall in testosterone.
Both the menopause, and andropause have an effect on a person’s daily life, and sense of well-being, with symptoms ranging from a lack of energy, sweats or hot flushes, mood swings, reduced libido, vaginal complaints for women, difficulty sleeping and issues with bone density or osteoporosis. This is not an exhaustive list of symptoms for both men and women.
Many people are much more active in later life and therefore there is a desire to seek a solution for these symptoms. Relief can be achieved by replacing the deficiencies in natural hormone production.
Both men and women can benefit from a treatment known as Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) because it can provide relief from a wide range of symptoms experienced during menopause, andropause and other hormone-related conditions such as pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), post-natal depression, endometriosis and menstrual problems.
Such hormone replacement programmes are mostly used for relieving the symptoms felt by women experiencing menopause, but it is worth considering this treatment if you are a male over 40 experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned.
There has been a recent increase in demand, use and popularity of BHRT due to concerns about where the synthetic hormones used in conventional Hormone Replacement Therapies (HRT) come from, and their reported side effects.
Some BHRT programmes, offered in private clinics, use hormone replacement to address ageing and aim to result in improvements in the skin, body, hair and general well-being, aside from relieving menopausal symptoms.
Although some over-the-counter BHRT solutions are sold, particularly online, we would not recommend dabbling in these supplements without prior consultation and evaluation by an experienced medical practitioner who can prescribe a bespoke programme specifically for your needs.
If you are considering Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy, the following information will give you a basic understanding of the main issues involved. It can't answer all your questions, since a lot depends on your individual medical history. Please ask your practitioner about anything you don't understand.
Bio-identical hormones have the same chemical structure as those that occur naturally within our own bodies. They are derived from plant sources, such as diosgenin which comes from wild yams and betasitosterol from soya bean plants. These are then manufactured into products which can be taken orally or through creams and skin patches.
Some people also market the treatment as BODY-identical hormone replacement therapy.
As bio-identical hormones have an identical chemical structure to our own hormones, the body does not reject them, nor consider them to be foreign in any way, and the way that they are handled by the body is the same as for your naturally occurring hormones. For this reason, bio-identical hormones are often referred to as ‘natural’, due to their likeness to the natural molecular structure of our own hormones, (and not because they come from sources found in nature).
Synthetic hormones, used in conventional Hormone Replacement Therapies (HRT), which are synthesised by pharmaceutical companies, have a chemical structure that is similar, but not exactly the same, as the hormones produced by our bodies. These chemical differences can mean that synthetic hormones act differently in the body and can produce different effects, as well as some unwanted side effects. Bio-identical hormones can therefore be beneficial to those who have a hormone imbalance or who have previously tried other treatment options, including conventional HRT, and have experienced unwanted side effects; or are concerned about any associated health issues.
HRT has been around since the 1930s and their use to alleviate menopausal symptoms has been commonplace in the UK since the 1960s. The hormones used may be derived from the urine of other pregnant mammals such as Premarin® (progesterone) which is taken from mares (female horses). Oestrogens can also be synthesised from other sources, and some have been chemically altered from plant-based extracts.
BHRT has only been used within the NHS to treat women for menopausal symptoms if there is a medical reason why they cannot receive the conventional HRT hormones prescribed for this condition. They have been used for approximately 20 years in Europe.
Sadly, there is a lack of large-scale, long-term clinical study evidence to support BHRT, even though it is true that there is no evidence that these bio-identical hormones cause the same side effects as conventional HRT. The rise in interest in bio-identical hormones was linked to the 2002 reports on HRT risks and side effects which caused a stampede away from HRT. Research into the long-term effects of HRT has been linked with many side effects such as an increase in uterine, ovarian and breast cancers and heart disease. The latest study published in 2016 seemed to suggest that the warnings released in 2002 underestimated the detrimental effects of HRT. It is not yet clear whether these side effects are due to their structure the medicated dosage, or the way that they are metabolised within the human body.
Not surprisingly this meant that doctors and their patients were reluctant to use HRT to treat menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, sleeplessness and tiredness. Up until 2002 is was not unusual for women to be given HRT when the menopause commenced, and well beyond, in a very long-term course of treatment. Currently, the guidance is for the lowest dose possible for the shortest amount of time. The risk of developing any of these side effects reduces once the HRT course is completed. The other problem with conventional HRT is that the pills come in certain predetermined dosages and can only be prescribed in this way by a GP.
Bio-identical hormones are not synthesised or extracted from other animals but come directly from plant sources. They do however have to be processed to make them suitable to be delivered into the human body; to make them absorbable so they can have their effect on their target cells and be broken down metabolically. They can also be prescribed to an exact measure for each patient and made up by a pharmacist to that individual prescription. Therefore, they are becoming a more widely available option for private clinics to offer to their clients.
A BHRT programme starts with a consultation and a saliva, urine or blood test to determine if there are any hormone deficiencies. As hormone levels in the human body fluctuate, a hormone level check is only a moment in time and any deficiency should be carefully considered and monitored, along with a discussion of symptoms or problems being experienced over time.
A variety of BHRT products can be prescribed to reduce imbalances found in specific hormone levels, in both men and women. There are both branded products and those compounded by pharmacies to your bespoke prescription. The hormones being replaced within BHRT treatments include:
Clinics may refer to BHRT replacements by brand names or have their own compounds formulated, but you should make sure that you know which hormones they contain. It is much easier to research the effects of these hormones in the human body and then understand exactly why they are being prescribed to you.
This depends on why you are considering this treatment. If it is to treat the symptoms of the menopause, then an appointment with your GP would be a sensible place to start. If you are not satisfied with the origin of the conventional HRT available, or you are concerned about possible side effects, then a private consultation for BHRT may be useful. Bear in mind that this will usually entail a consultation fee, even if you decide not to proceed, and a long-term cost if you do.
BHRT is rarely available for free through the NHS.
If the reasons are concerned with anti-ageing or feeling younger, then research clinics that specialise in this type of BHRT treatment and ask about their experience and results.
Many bio-identical hormone products are available online. Most experts state that these are not high doses enough to achieve desirable results, and obviously, self-medication is never recommended. Attending a clinic for a consultation would always be preferable to self-selection from the Internet.
Oestrogen and progesterone are used to treat menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, vaginal dryness, tiredness, disturbed sleep, reduced libido and loss of bone density.
Testosterone can be used to treat andropause (male menopause).
DHEA can be used to stimulate the immune system to treat tiredness or fatigue, depression and memory loss.
Melatonin can be used to improve sleeping patterns.
It is claimed that BHRT can improve general health, well-being and vitality.
Careful discussions regarding your reasons for wanting Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy are very important. You must also make sure that this treatment can deliver what you want. The duration of the treatment is also important. Any potential risks from hormone supplementation increase with the length of treatment. Taking the current medical advice for conventional HRT - the lowest dose for the shortest period of time – may be advisable to apply to BHRT too. There is currently limited data to confirm that long-term use of bio-identical hormones is any different, so caution may be pertinent. Your practitioner should be able to answer all these questions.
A medical history should be taken to make sure that there are no reasons why you shouldn’t undertake treatment. You will be asked to sign a consent form which means that you have understood the potential benefits and risks associated with the treatment programme and any associated tests.
Photographs (if there is an anti-ageing solution or alleviation of visible medical symptoms being sought), and possibly questionnaires to establish mood or symptom rating scores may also be taken by the practitioner for comparison later.
The initial consultation will lead to a blood, urine or saliva test and some cells may be taken from the inside of your cheek, with a swab, to check telomere length, which can be analysed to assess internal ageing. Your DNA strands are protected by a cap called a telomere. There is a lot of research which indicates that these telomeres shorten as you get older and your DNA may then start to deteriorate. Telomere length can be used to measure your internal age. These tests may be offered as part of a general health check rather than for any specified symptoms.
The next consultation will take you through all the indicators that have been examined and measured by the tests. These may include hormone levels such as oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone as a comparison to your chronological age; thyroid and adrenal hormones; cholesterol levels; vascular health; telomere length etc. It would seem to be common sense that before embarking on any hormone replacement therapy you should begin by establishing if there is any deficiency that matches up with the symptoms that you are describing. The tests performed and the indicators measured may vary from one clinic to another so it’s important to get a thorough evaluation.
The clinician can tell you what these test results indicate and prescribe BHRT accordingly. This prescription will be individualised for your body. Hormones must be prescribed, as they are regulated as medicines, but other dietary supplements which may be recommended alongside might be available over-the-counter from a pharmacist. It is worth asking about this as it could make a huge difference to the price that you pay for the overall treatment programme.
BHRT may be taken orally, as a tablet or lozenge, or topically as a cream or patch which may be delivered through the skin or through the genital region.
This is an ongoing treatment programme and how long it will last for should be decided between you and your clinician. You will need to attend follow up consultations to re-test for the indicators and to assess the next prescriptions and supplements. The clinic usually books you in for your next appointment about 6 weeks into treatment and once your hormone levels are steady you may only have to revisit every 6 months to obtain a new prescription.
There should be no down time, but you should be made aware of any side effects that might occur and what to do if they happen, as well as details about informing your practitioner. Some side effects may require you to contact your clinic or even to stop taking your medication. Your clinician should advise you on these circumstances, and if you are in doubt then contacting the clinic would always be the best course of action.
This is a very complicated area and you should feel fully informed before you undertake this treatment. Your individual situation and your personalised prescription and medical history should be taken into consideration. The most common complications seem to be a change in mood, similar to experiencing pre-menstrual tension or PMT, or skin problems such as acne. Long term effects have not yet been established by any large sample medical study.
DHEA (dehydroepinandrosterone) is one bio-identical hormone available to both men and women. It is a pre-cursor hormone produced naturally by the adrenal glands and can lead to the production of testosterone and oestrogen (both hormones are naturally occurring in both sexes). The side effects may occur because of an imbalance between the male and female hormones and may cause opposing secondary sexual features such as an increase in facial hair, lowering of the voice or thinning of the hair on the head in females. Adrenal imbalance refers to low levels of this hormone which peaks at around the age of 20 years and then declines.
Incidentally, most of these hormones would show up in a drug test and are therefore not suitable for those competing in sports at a serious level.
It is advisable to make notes in a diary or through an electronic system and to keep a good routine for taking the therapy. BHRT treatment must be taken regularly, and it is worth taking a few minutes to note down how you are feeling every day at the same time, reflecting on the previous day, so you can build up a pattern of the progression of your treatment and how it is affecting you, both positively and negatively. The effect of these hormones can be complex, and in some cases unpredictable, but certainly variable from person to person.
Contact your clinic if anything concerns you and use your diary notes as a reference for your discussions. You may need to return for a consultation or further tests.
A full medical history should be taken before commencement, but typically BHRT is not considered to be necessary for people under 30 years of age; those taking conventional HRT or contraceptive pills; those who are pregnant or breast-feeding or wanting to become pregnant; those taking other medications such as blood thinners, anti-convulsion medication; those with diabetes, liver or heart problems; deep vein thrombosis or hormone-dependent cancers.
You must share any concerns about your medical situation with the clinician at your initial consultation.
Only doctors or prescribing nurses can prescribe a course of BHRT as they are a regulated prescription-only medicine. However, other medically and non-medically trained practitioners at a clinic may be able to take the blood, saliva or cheek cell tests and take a medical history from you.
It is usual practice for the NHS to only provide conventional HRT to women experiencing the symptoms of menopause. It is worth discussing this with your GP before embarking on BHRT through a private clinic to find out if you would be suitable for conventional HRT or if you are happy with what it offers.
BHRT is sometimes available on the NHS, as these plant-derived hormones can be used when there are contra-indications for conventional HRT. Again, you will need to discuss this with your GP.
However, even if that is the case, the general practitioner (GP) or a specialised consultant will prescribe a milligram (mg) dose of the bio-identical hormones, rather than a measured or individualised dose prescribed following tests through a private prescription.
It is highly unlikely that anyone considering BHRT for any other reason would be able to access this free of charge on the National Health Service.
We would however always recommend that you visit your General Practitioner before embarking on private treatment for menopausal or andropausal symptoms. As well as their advice and guidance they may also be able to refer you to a local specialist private clinic who can treat you.
Initial consultation, testing and prescriptions may cost around £200 - £600 and then approximately £100 - £200 per month for the repeat prescription, depending on the delivery method and the tailor-made replacement therapy needed. In many cases, you will pay a clinic for the consultations, testing and prescription creation but ongoing costs for the products will be paid to a pharmacy used and recommended by the clinic. Quite a lot of pharmacies quote that their BHRT prescriptions will cost £1 - £3 a day, the price of a coffee, but that is only for the actual hormone products and doesn’t include the costs of test and consultations which is usually not provided by them.
These costs for BHRT are ongoing, but you should be able to spread them more easily over the time of the treatment programme once up-front costs are incurred. Further consultations and reviews are likely to incur additional costs.
Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy is a growth area in the USA and therefore likely to increase and become more commonplace in the UK as awareness spreads.
There are valid reasons for those experiencing menopausal symptoms to consider their options carefully and to prefer a more ‘natural’ hormone to alleviate their condition. For other less specified symptoms, it may improve them but there are only personal testimonials to vouch for this. Everyone is different and has different requirements and motivations for seeking this sort of therapy. As each prescription is individualised the outcome will be too. To discover if they would work for you, you must put your trust in a well-researched doctor or nurse prescriber at a specialised and experienced clinic. It will take some time before there is any long-term scientific evidence about the effectiveness and safety of BHRT, so if you proceed you may be part of this innovation.
BHRT has arisen in response to concerns about the conventional HRT given to menopausal women to alleviate their symptoms. They are not synthesised to mimic natural hormones or extracted from the urine of other animals, but derived from plants and have the identical chemical structure of those found in humans, making them indistinguishable. The ‘raw material’ does have to be processed to allow it to be delivered in an effective way into the human body and subsequently broken down. This initial interest in BHRT has led to other applications to achieve other results, such as anti-ageing and wellness, which highlight the potential for the wider use of bio-identical hormones in medically-led private clinics.