Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy

Today’s society wrongly links such symptoms as aches and pains, elevated cholesterol, fatigue, weight gain, low libido, insomnia and memory loss to the ”aging process.” The wisdom of being wiser, more grounded, more resolved and better in touch with who we are as we age gets lost among all the negative connotations that aging elicits. But aging does not have to mean any of that. You can feel vital, sexy, happy and ready for your next decade as you age. The Akasha Center’s compassionate and well-trained integrative practitioners disagree that these ailments are part of the natural aging process. While these symptoms are common, they do not have to be ”NATURAL.” As we age, the needs of our body change.
Thus, how we treat the body needs to change as well. At Akasha, we teach you to listen to the body’s symptoms to identify its needs and correct any underlying imbalances.

While hormones do naturally decline with age, other variables such as diet, lifestyle, mindset, environmental toxins, stress, past medication use, gut health and liver health all contribute to a less optimal aging process. As part of a healthy aging protocol and after determining if hormonal replacement is the right choice for you, our doctors may prescribe bio-identical hormones. This is in addition to promoting a low allergy, anti-inflammatory diet while also supporting the adrenal glands, thyroid, liver health, and digestive tract. An exercise regime and mindfulness are also often prescribed to
help support the balance of mind and body. Our talented team of doctors and practitioners are passionately committed to helping you age with vitality.

• Decreased hot flashes
• Decreased vaginal dryness
• Decreased osteoporosis
• Decreased urinary incontinence
• Decreased strokes
• Memory Improvement
• Prevention of Alzheimer’s disease
• Protects against recurrent urinary tract infections
• Increased libido
• Weight loss
• Increased skin elasticity and fewer wrinkles
• Heart health
• Increased insulin sensitivity
• Improved sleep
• More energy

Before starting bioidentical hormone therapy, all women must:

• Assess the risk of cancer and other diseases by reviewing family history with your doctor. 
  
• Have a baseline hormone panel.
  
• A pelvic ultrasound and a recent mammogram

Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy can be used to treat a variety of conditions related to the aging process and reduced hormone levels such as estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, and DHEA. Delivery methods include pills, creams, gels, and shots. Our team always tailors treatment to your specific needs. 

After diagnosing your symptoms, our doctors will determine the best treatment options for you. Once administered our doctors will closely monitor your hormone levels to make sure you are achieving your therapeutic goals with the correct hormone dosage. This is often times adjusted to get the optimal balance necessary for your body.

Labs will be ordered 3-months after starting hormone therapy and every 6-months while on hormone therapy. Pelvic, ultrasounds and breast imaging will be ordered yearly. Treatment will be adjusted as needed. 

Traditional Hormone Replacement Therapy which utilized synthetic hormones and conjugated equine estrogen have resulted in heart attacks, breast cancer, stroke, and blood clots. In response, the new treatment of Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy was born.

Bio-Identical Hormones are found in nature and are biologically identical to a person’s hormones. They are therefore considered to be safer and have fewer side effects than synthetic hormones. Additionally, there are Bio-Identical Hormones approved by the FDA which have passed strict standards. However, this does not mean that Bio-Identical Hormones do not have potential side effects. Additionally compounded Bio-Identical Hormones which may be chosen by your doctor to better treat individual conditions are not approved by the FDA.

Side effects may occur as the body adjusts to an increase in hormone levels and may decrease over time. Always contact your doctor to notify them of any changes or side effects you may be experiencing. Some common side effects include: acne, additional facial hair in women, blurred vision, weight gain, fatigue, tenderness of the breasts, indigestion and mood swings. Spotting or a heavier menstrual flow that may necessitate ultrasound, sonogram or a D & C for diagnosis. Uterine Cancer: Unopposed estrogen promotes uterine cancer. If you have a uterus and you are exposed to estrogen, you must also be taking progesterone to protect the uterus. Fibroid: If you already have fibroids, estrogen may stimulate fibroid growth. Possibly more breast cancer.

Given in the right dosage, proper route of administration and following all established safety protocol, current research has found bio-identical hormone therapy to be a safe and effective way of restoring both hormonal and metabolic balance during the aging process. Much of the concern about hormone safety stems from the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) which studied the non-bio-identical hormones, Premarin and Provera. This study showed a small increased risk of breast cancer, heart disease, stroke, and pulmonary embolism. Premarin (synthetic estrogen derived from horse urine) and Provera (a synthetic form of Progesterone) are not identical to our own hormones, yet they bind to the same cells. like our own hormones. We know that oral estrogen is inflammatory and can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and pulmonary embolism. This is why we ONLY give estrogen transdermally (either through a cream or patch). Provera (the synthetic progesterone) is known to increase breast cancer which is why we NEVER prescribe Provera for hormone replacement.

Estrogen is considered a promoter of breast cancer but not the cause of breast cancer. In other words, if you have a susceptibility to breast cancer, estrogen may stimulate it to grow. 90% of breast cancer is due to unexplained causes. Some of the factors involved in cancer risk are genetics, lifetime exposure to estrogen and environmental carcinogens such as pesticides, plastics, chemicals, air pollution, impure water, and heavy metals. At Akasha, we integrate bioidentical hormone therapy into a comprehensive nutritional and lifestyle program aimed at decreasing the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases. In addition to addressing hormones, we also recommend a whole foods diet, exercise plan, stress management tools and an appropriate nutritional and/or herbal supplemental program. If needed, we may also incorporate one of Akasha’s psychotherapists, Chinese medical practitioners or massage therapists into your treatment program. In addition to a comprehensive preventative program, we monitor your hormone levels closely to make sure your levels stay within a healthy range and that your liver is metabolizing the hormones optimally.

At Akasha Center, we are dedicated to providing the best in Integrative Health. Our practitioners have a combined experience of over 80 years and have helped countless patients feel better through taking the time to better understand each patient as an individual. Be sure to learn more about our doctor’s who provide Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Treatment, they are Dr. Maggie Ney for women, and Dr. Edison de Mello, founder of the Akasha Center, for men.

Call us at: (310) 451-8880 or Click Here to schedule your free consultation.