BHRT for women

BHRT is the use of bio-identical hormones to replace and rebalance the body’s hormones during the changes leading up to menopause and beyond.

Hormones are chemical messengers that circulate in the bloodstream and affect the function of every organ in our body. There are moment to moment fluctuations in hormones, as well as minute to minute, day to day, seasonal and then major life events such as puberty, pregnancy, adulthood and the menopause.

There is a drop in hormone levels as women age and, as the levels decline, we lose our energy, strength and vitality. Lifestyle and stress also boost or reduce the hormone balance.

A bio-identical hormone replicates the molecular and chemical structure of naturally occurring hormones produced in your body, including the arrangement of carbon, oxygen and hydrogen atoms. They are 100% identical to the chemical structure of your body’s natural hormones.

As well as oestrogen and progesterone, we also match other hormones such as DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), melatonin and testosterone. As a result, your bespoke BHRT treatment will fit your hormone receptor sites perfectly, so the hormonal messages are translated properly and their effects are more consistent with the normal biochemistry of your body.

The upshot of this is that, by tailoring the treatment to your physiology, we can achieve the best possible results and minimise any side effects.

The hormones are converted from plant sources and manufactured as a powder, which is then available in oral pill or transdermal cream forms.

BHRT differs from conventional HRT because it uses bio-identical hormones to replace and rebalance the body’s hormones. These have an identical molecular and chemical structure to naturally occurring hormones, including the arrangement of carbon, oxygen and hydrogen atoms. This allows for a natural, safe and effective way to supplement hormone levels and treat symptoms of hormone imbalance without the side effects of conventional HRT.

Conventional HRT offers a ‘one size fits all’ medication package using synthetic hormones that don’t replicate the natural hormones in the body, increasing the risk of side effects. By comparison, BHRT offers the facility for tailor-made medication packages and, as bio-identical hormones exactly replicate the molecular and chemical structure of natural hormones, side effects seldom occur. BHRT is available to women and men, both of whom suffer hormone imbalances due to the ageing process, to help restore and maintain optimal health and hormone balance.

We know that each individual is different, deserving a holistic and bespoke approach to achieve the best outcome. Your consultation will be fully tailored to your needs and the resulting prescription will be bespoke to your bio-chemistry.

For convenience, your consultations will take place online with our expert practitioner. All your prescriptions will be delivered to you and we can also arrange to carry out blood tests at your home or in your local clinic, whichever you prefer.

At the initial consultation we will take a detailed medical history, discuss your symptoms, carry out a BMI check and arrange your blood tests. If required, we will also refer you for a mammogram and/or pelvic ultrasound.

This consultation will ascertain whether you are a viable candidate for BHRT and if it is appropriate for you to proceed.

Your practitioner will also provide you with helpful lifestyle advice, to ensure you are meeting the challenges of the menopause from every angle.

Upon receipt of the blood test results and any other diagnostic test results, our specialist practitioner will contact you by email to provide your treatment plan and answer any questions. Your practitioner will write a tailor-made prescription for BHRT hormones, we will post the medication straight to you.

Your first follow-up online consultation will be used to assess your progress with the prescribed medicines, evaluate the improvement in your symptoms and, if required, make changes to medication dosages. These consultations will continue bi-annually, and you can email your practitioner if you have any questions between appointments.

Your medication is provided via repeat prescriptions which are valid for 12 months.

Bio-identical hormones are not only better tolerated than conventional HRT, they can also be individually prescribed and fine-tuned according to your needs. With the possibility of adjusting dosages as required, side effects seldom occur.

A simple blood test will show if there are elevated FSH (follicle stimulating hormones) and LH (luteinizing hormones) levels, which indicate that you are experiencing the perimenopause or menopause. As BHRT can also be used as a treatment for hormonal conditions including premenstrual syndrome, dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, endometriosis, post-natal depression and most other hormone imbalances, it can be prescribed to a much wider patient base than conventional HRT.

No. The decision to stay on treatment or stop treatment will be made between the patient and practitioner. However, if a patient is reaping the benefits of treatment and quality of life is noticeably improved, there is no reason to stop the treatment.

Treatment is often surprisingly immediate, but generally results are seen between three and six weeks. If the hormonal imbalance is severe and you are is still on a menstrual cycle, it can take three to four months to experience the desired effect.

Yes. Bio-identical hormones can help with multiple effects of ageing. Skin changes, especially loss of elasticity and dryness, worsening cognition and memory, reduced organisational skills and energy, and declining sexual function all occur as hormones decline. Balancing hormones can prevent some of these effects and possibly protect you against certain conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis.

Yes. A new blood test will show current hormone levels and medication can be prescribed based on these results. The standard BHRT process will be undertaken consisting of an initial consultation including a detailed patient history, a thorough investigation of symptoms, a BMI test and blood tests. If required, patients will be referred for a mammogram and/or pelvic ultrasound.

Yes, please go to our BHRT for men treatment information.