Q&A

While you may have symptoms, specific laboratory testing is the only way to know for sure if you need bioidentical hormone therapy. There are blood panels and other labs available that can determine if your hormones are imbalanced.

Some of the signs and symptoms that you may have a hormonal imbalance can include depression, fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, muscle atrophy, low energy, insomnia, mood swings, night sweats, hot flashes and anxiety. Hormonal imbalances can also occur with expected changes in the body as you age, such as menopause and andropause.

After your lab tests are reviewed, we will determine if bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is right for alleviating your symptoms and helping you reach your wellness goals. In some cases, it may not be necessary to have BHRT yet; however this can change over time due to lifestyle and environmental factors, so you should continue routine testing, along with incorporating healthy lifestyle changes to ensure your hormones are balanced, and to help you maintain optimal health.

Most people see their natural hormones begin to decline after their mid-20s, and frequently see hormone imbalance symptoms present by their mid-30s. Many men and women start getting hormone replacement between ages 35 and 40. If you think that you are experiencing symptoms related to a hormone imbalance, you should seek to get testing and possible treatment as soon as you can. If you wait to address a hormone imbalance, it can affect your future health, and overall quality of life.

Bioidentical hormones are derived from plants, such as wild yams or soy, and are made to be structurally identical to the hormones naturally produced by the human body. The ingredients in each prescription vary by which hormone it contains: estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, etc. and what form they are delivered in: creams, pellets, gels, pills, etc.

Ask your pharmacy if they are able to provide you with an ingredient list for your specific prescription.

Hormones can affect a multitude of functions in the human body, and women may experience fluctuations in their hormone levels all throughout their life. Lifestyle and environmental factors can affect hormones, as well as expected events, such as the onset of menses, pregnancy, childbirth, perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause. Imbalances in hormones, including estrogen, progesterone and testosterone, can cause many uncomfortable symptoms, such as depression, mood swings, night sweats, hot flashes and anxiety.

Estrogen is the most common hormonal decline seen in menopausal and post-menopausal women. Low or unbalanced estrogen levels in women may cause symptoms such as low libido and bone loss. This bone loss that women experience can lead to osteoporosis, and even increase the likelihood of bone fractures. Making adjustments to a woman’s hormone levels with bioidentical hormone therapy and lifestyle changes reduces, and can even completely eliminate these symptoms, improving overall health and well-being.

As men age, their testosterone production begins to decline. This leads to many men experiencing symptoms associated with low levels of testosterone, also known as andropause, including loss of focus, lower energy levels, slower metabolism, reduced muscle mass, increased fat levels, and lower sex drive. Bioidentical hormone therapy can balance testosterone levels, allowing men to restore their vitality and reduce the symptoms of low testosterone.

Andropause, also known as the male counterpart to menopause, is the condition characterized by declining levels of testosterone, and the number of uncomfortable symptoms that accompany it. These can include hot flashes in men, low libido, erectile dysfunction, muscle loss, irritability and fatigue.

A man’s testosterone production gradually decreases throughout his lifespan, and therefore the symptoms of Andropause are typically mistaken as signs of aging, and can often go untreated. However, maintaining adequate levels of testosterone is crucial for a man’s health and overall wellbeing.

Results typically don’t happen overnight, instead they evolve over time. Remember that it probably took some time for your hormones to become unbalanced, and it will also take your body time to recover.

Most patients start to feel better within the first few months of receiving hormone replacement therapy, but it may take a bit longer to achieve some results. You may begin to notice a difference with things like sleep patterns and energy levels within within a matter of weeks, but every patient has a different experience. Consistency and adherence to each step of your treatment plan will give you the best results, and while the exact timeline may vary, the end result is the same—living a healthier, and more balanced life.

Many people incorrectly believe that bioidentical hormones are not approved by the FDA. They are in fact derived from plant sources, such as yams and soy, which are FDA-approved.

Bioidentical hormones can be delivered in many forms, including pills, creams, gels, patches, pellets and vaginal rings. They are developed in a lab and then sent to a compounding pharmacy, which is where they are customized to fit the needs of each patient. Since each prescription is made especially, or custom-compounded, for each individual patient, FDA regulation and approval is limited.

Conventional, or synthetic, hormones are not customized, but instead created in specific, patented doses and delivery methods, making regulation for them possible.

Most traditional doctors either do not have time or the resources to seek additional expertise in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Our medical director, Dr. Emeka B. Okwuje, M.D. has both extensive training in bioidentical hormone therapy, and specialized knowledge of anti-aging medicine.

Yes. Bioidentical hormones are prescription drugs that are compunded in a specialized pharmacy, using the highest quality ingredients and by pharmacists that specialize in formulating these types of drugs. Since each patient is unique, the potency and delivery method for each prescription must be customized to fit the needs of the individual.

Yes, it most certainly could be related since both estrogen and testosterone work in a balance to fuel your sex drive. Having too much or too little of either these hormones causes a decrease in libido, and can also lead to performance issues. In some cases, chronic stress can lead to increased levels of cortisol, which can can negatively impact the sex hormones and impair your sex drive.

When your hormones are balanced you can achieve optimal results with you dedicate yourself to a healthy lifestyle, including weight loss. When your hormones become imbalanced, it difficult to lose weight and easy to gain weight, even when you are doing your best to eat right and exercise.

If you have been experiencing the effects of a hormonal imbalance, seeking treatment will help you to more easily achieve your weight loss goals.

Pellet therapy is one of the delivery method options for bioidentical hormone therapy. With this method, a pellet made of bioidentical hormones is inserted under your skin (usually on the upper part of the buttocks) every three to six months. The pellets contain customized levels of either estradiol or testosterone, which is slowly metabolized by your body over the course of three to six months, much the same manner as your body’s natural hormones are secreted.

When we get your test results back, Dr. Okwuje will determine if your overall health and hormonal balance can be improved with nutritional supplements. If so, you will be prescribed a customized supplement regimen consisting of high-quality, physician-preferred supplements.

Typically there should not be any issues. The only time when you should be concerned that your medications may interfere with bioidentical hormones (and vice-versa) is when what you’re taking contains hormones, for example birth control or certain acne medications.

In many cases, you may no longer need certain medications once your hormone levels are restored to a healthy balance, which can restore your overall health. It’s important to let us know and talk with Dr. Okwuje about any medications and supplements you’re currently taking to know for sure if there will be any adverse effects.

The length of time for hormone therapy varies from person to person. Hormone levels can be affected by different things including genetics, lifestyle habits, and environmental factors. Some patients may be able to discontinue hormone therapy with consistent dedication to the other parts of their treatment plan, which includes supplements, nutrition and fitness.

Because treatment plans are customized for each individual and their needs, there is no one answer that will apply to everyone.

Bioidentical hormone therapy has very few potential side effects. Most of these are linked to your dosage, and as your hormone levels begin to improve, you may need further testing and your dosage may need to be adjusted. If you notice any side effects, contact us at RevitlaizeMaui so that we can promptly address them.

Most people don’t consume their daily dose of vitamins and minerals, let alone get to experience their many valuable benefits. Nutrient IV Therapy is a safe and effective way to deliver natural vitamins, minerals, and amino acids directly into to the bloodstream. In just 30 to 45-minutes, an IV therapy session can improve your overall mood, enhance your energy levels and help prevent future health problems attributed to stress, dehydration and malnutrition.

There are typically no major side effects seen with this process. You may experience some a cooling sensation in your arm and a mineral taste in the mouth, but these are normal and nothing to worry about.

A nutrient IV session typically takes approximately 30-45 minutes to be fully administered.

There are no toxins that are found in medicine or pharmaceuticals in our IV’s, so it is impossible to experience any kind of overdose. Technically, if you are healthy it is safe to have IV therapy daily, but this is typically not necessary.

You should tailor your IV schedule to your specific lifestyle, but most people do not need more than a bi-weekly program once levels are restored.

Depending on your nutritional and hydration status you may see dramatic effects after the first IV drip. People who get IV’s regularly will feel less dramatic effects as their body starts to obtain optimal hydration and nutritional balance.