Board Certified Gynecologist.
Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy with Bio-Identical Hormones
Bio-identical hormones have the exact molecular structure of the
hormones a woman produces NATURALLY. Most physicians prescribe
synthetic hormones that are not only foreign to the body, but are also
not healthy. We specialize in balancing women's estrogen, progesterone,
testosterone, DHEA, and thyroid levels for A HEALTHY LIFE AND A FEELING
OF WELL-BEING. Bio-identical hormones have not only been shown to
eliminate hot flashes, but they can improve:
LIBIDO, SLEEP, ENERGY, MOOD, MEMORY, SKIN TONE, HEADACHES, JOINT PAIN
Dr. Bruice sees patients in Denver and Aspen.
The initial visit is simple. It consists of meeting with Dr. Bruice and
discussing your symptoms. Blood levels are then obtained to see what
your baseline hormone levels are. Then an individual and unique blend
of hormones is prescribed and filled at a compounding pharmacy. Women
usually see positive results within two weeks. The follow up visit
occurs 4-8 weeks later to make sure the hormones are properly balanced.
Usually no more visits are necessary until the yearly follow up.
Micro-adjustments in the hormone prescriptions can often be done for
free without a visit, following the initial two visits. Patients are
allowed to call or email Dr. Bruice, anytime, at no additional expense.
Go to our contact page to find out how and where to contact us.
Next Lectures| Tue Jul 22 | @ 6:30pm: | College Hill Library - 3705 W 112th Ave, Westminster, CO 80031 | | | | | | Wed Jul 23 | @ 6:30pm: | Doubletree Hotel Denver Tech - 7801 E Orchard Rd, Greenwood Village, CO 80111 | | | | | | @ : | additional lecture dates will be posted soon | | | | |
What choices do you have?
All women eventually reach menopause; there is nothing anyone can do to
prevent it or delay it. The average age of menopause is 51 but symptoms
of estrogen and progesterone deficiency usually occur much earlier than
this. Women also suffer from loss of testosterone, DHEA, and thyroid
hormones. When women start to lose their hormones they have only four
choices.
Choice number 1 is to take no action and suffer from the symptoms of
low hormones. The most common symptoms are hot flashes, night sweats,
sleeping problems, mood changes, low libido, vaginal dryness, memory
problems, and low energy.
Choice number 2 is to attempt to mask the symptoms with herbs or
antidepressants. Herbs often are no better than a placebo and, if they
do work, their effects are usually short lived. Antidepressants can
prevent hot flashes and help with mood changes but they can have
unfortunate side effects such as worsening libido.
Choice number 3 is to take synthetic hormones that are foreign to the
body. The body is not accustomed to recognizing these unnatural
hormones and thus they often have adverse effects in the body. Most
women who take hormones take foreign hormones, the most common being
Premarin and Provera. Premarin is derived from pregnant mares urine,
hence the name. Povera is a synthetic progesterone and it is not nearly
as safe as natural progesterone. Premarin and Provera were the two
hormones used in the Women’s health Initiative (WHI). Synthetic
hormones are often referred to as hormone replacement therapy (HRT); I
believe it should instead be called hormone substitution therapy (HST)
Choice number 4 is to take bioidentical hormones, which truly is
hormone replacement therapy. Bioidentical hormones have the exact
molecular structure of the hormones a woman produces naturally. In
other words these hormones are no different from what a woman makes
from age 12-51. Bioidentical hormones are more effective at eliminating
symptoms of menopause and are likely safer as well. In this day and age
it is shocking that women would rather take horse hormones instead of
the hormones her body is familiar with.
How to take your hormones
Most women take hormones in a pill form. When hormones are absorbed
by the stomach they are taken directly to the liver by the portal
circulation. This results in the “first pass liver” effect and it is an
unnatural way to take hormones. When the ovaries make hormones they
immediately put them into the blood supply via the ovarian vein. I
believe in mimicking the bodies natural physiology by putting
bioidentical hormones directly into the bloodstream. This can be done
using sublingual troches or transdermal creams. I prefer transdermal
creams because the hormones are absorbed more slowly and, therefore,
result in fewer peaks and valleys of hormone levels. It is best if you
are taking your hormones as prescribed at the time of the blood draw.
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