What is bio-identical hormone therapy?
Bio-identical hormones have the same structure as the hormones your body makes, such as estradiol and progesterone, unlike synthetic versions such as progestins. At Protea, lab testing is part of how bio-identical hormones are prescribed and monitored, and the hormone, route and dose are chosen for each patient.
Do I need lab work before starting hormones?
At Protea, yes. Your physician orders baseline labs before prescribing hormones and repeats testing during treatment. Hormones are converted into other compounds in the body, and the share bound to protein versus free to use also matters. Monitoring is meant to catch a level that runs too high, because side effects can become harder to reverse the longer that goes unnoticed.
Is progesterone the same thing as a progestin?
No. Progestins are synthetic and call for caution, although there are situations where one is the right choice. Bioidentical progesterone is the hormone your body makes. Its effects reach beyond the uterus and breast tissue: it also acts on receptors in the brain involved in calm and sleep.
Does it matter whether I take a pill, patch, cream, injection or pellet?
Yes, the route is part of the treatment. Oral estradiol passes through the liver first, and some of it becomes estrone. Creams skip that first pass but can transfer to clothing, children, partners or pets; patches solve the transfer problem. Injectable estradiol releases over about a week. Pellets are steady, but once placed, the dose can be added to and cannot be reduced or removed.
Is hormone therapy only for menopause?
No. Hormones matter throughout life, and men have hormone concerns too. Our physicians see patients for perimenopause, menopause, andropause, low testosterone and thyroid concerns. A hormone-related symptom does not always lead to a prescription; stress, diet or another hormone may turn out to be more relevant.
Do you offer testosterone therapy for men?
Yes. Our physicians see men for andropause and low testosterone, often after persistent fatigue, low libido or changes in sexual function. Your physician looks at more than a single number, because a result can read "normal" while you still feel off. See our testosterone replacement therapy page for details.
What did the Women's Health Initiative find, and does it apply to me?
The 2002 study tested one specific synthetic estrogen derived from horse urine, combined with a synthetic partner hormone that is not the progesterone your body makes. A warning about one estrogen is not automatically a warning about another, so the useful question is which estrogen, given by which route. Your physician can walk through how the findings apply to you.
Should I stop my hormones because of something I saw online?
Please do not change anything on your own. Starting, stopping, raising, lowering or switching a hormone are decisions to make with your physician. If something you read worries you, write it down and contact your care team. You do not have to wait for your next visit.
