BHRT for Women

We must know your levels before we give you hormones.

• Blood levels of hormones must be drawn prior to every implant.
• We can indicate if you need to keep your next insert appointment based on your lab results or if you need to have labs drawn again in a week or two because your current levels are okay.
• Hormone replacement patients may have labs drawn outside of Renew Health & Wellness. Please ask our medical staff for a lab requisition form. If you choose to have your labs drawn outside of LabCorp, you will need to use your personal insurance. Please be aware that the lab might bill you for any extra balance.

• Most patients are seen about every 3 months or 4 times a year for implants.
• On average, hormone replenishment is needed every 3 months.
• After the first hormone implant, patients will return in 4 to 6 weeks for labs.
• Patients will complete a Symptoms Questionnaire form at each visit for inserts or lab draws to track progress.

If your lab results indicate that you do or do not need additional hormones, we will call you and notify you.

When checking out patients will schedule their next lab appointment and they will also schedule their next implant appointment. The implant appointment should be about one week after your lab appointment.

Getting your hormones is a quick and painless procedure. An area on the back of your hip is numbed, some may experience a slight pin prick at the start of the procedure from the tiny needle used to inject the anesthetic agent or a slight ‘stinging’ sensation from the anesthetic as it is introduced, then a small incision is made where pellets are inserted into subcutaneous tissue. When the Registered Nurse completes the insertion she will place Steri-strips and a gauze bandage over the incision. You will not feel a thing!

• Wear comfortable clothing.
• Bruising and soreness lasting up to a week at the incision site are normal.
• Itchiness and redness at the incision site are also normal following implants.
• After your implant, please avoid exercise, heavy lifting, or straining for 5 days.
• Please avoid baths, swimming pools, hot tubs (any submersion in water) for 5 days following your implant.

• Some patients feel relief of certain symptoms after the first implant, while others may notice improvements after two or more treatments.
• Do not get discouraged if you don’t feel significant changes right away. The goal is to gradually replace and restore what has been lost over time.

Don’t worry. They will kick in!**

First, we have to get you restored and replace what hormones have been missing.

Yes, SSRI’s (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors/ anti-depressants) and strong pain medications as well as strong sedatives can block the mood enhancing effects and the increase in well-being effects of testosterone.

• The goal is to eventually discontinue antidepressants. Always check with your PCP before stopping any medication.
• Antidepressants, pain medications, and sedatives should be weaned off slowly and gradually under the direction of your PCP.
• Smoking, excessive alcohol intake, and other illegal substances can slow the effects of your treatment.

• The answer to this question is different for everyone. Hormone patients who incorporate a healthy lifestyle (diet and exercise) tend to lose weight at a faster rate than those who don’t.
• Take advantage of the higher levels of testosterone circulating through your body.
• Weight-bearing exercises can help build strong, toned, lean muscle mass.
• Building lean muscle can help burn fat, support metabolism, and improve overall well-being.

• Due to skin type and testosterone’s oil-producing effects, some patients may experience mild acne.
• A pimple or two is your body responding to the testosterone. As your body adjusts to the elevated levels, it often clears up.
• Acne can be treated. If you experience acne, ask your nurse about “acne gel.”

For Women: Women who receive estrogen may experience bleeding/spotting. This is normal and nothing to be worried about.

• Shedding of the endometrial wall is a normal process but should be regulated with progesterone.
• Taking oral progesterone helps balance estrogen and control bleeding. Skipping a dose or taking an insufficient amount of progesterone may lead to bleeding. If you have questions about dosing, please refer to the “Progesterone” insert.

If you are experiencing bleeding, call the Renew Health & Wellness nurse who can help you determine progesterone dosage for one week before returning to your regular dose.

The pellets we use in our Amor Vie™ therapy are derived from NDC 17-beta estradiol and NDC testosterone. The NDC designation is maintained by the FDA. HOWEVER – the pellets are compounded, not manufactured. The FDA delegates its authority of oversight and regulation of compounded medicines to each individual State’s Board of Pharmacy, under FDA policy as explained below:

“FDA views traditional pharmacy compounding as the combining, mixing, or altering of ingredients to create a customized medication for an individual patient in response to a licensed practitioner’s prescription. In its simplest form, it may involve taking an approved drug substance and making a new formulation to meet the medical needs of a specific patient. For example, it may involve formulating the product without a dye or preservative in response to a patient allergy. Or it might involve making a suspension or suppository dosage form for a child or elderly patient who has difficulty swallowing a tablet or a capsule. These traditional forms of pharmacy compounding are an important component of our pharmaceutical armamentarium.”

The pellets, and our therapy, are crafted and designed for the individual patient to offer bio-natural alternatives in a compounded form for hormone replacement therapy. FDA has delegated enforcement and oversight of compounded medicines to the States and says, “FDA has exercised enforcement discretion to allow these legitimate forms of pharmacy compounding, which are regulated under state laws governing the practice of pharmacy.”

The pellets are compounded to a dosage specified for the individual patient by the State’s licensed provider (physician, advanced nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant), each licensed from the State of that HRC Center.

The compounding pharmacy we use is one of the largest and best in the country. They are regulated by their State, which is one of the strictest states with regard to pharmacy regulation in compounding bio-natural hormone pellets.