Hormone Replacement Therapy

Whether you have severe PMS, are approaching menopause, or even years past menopause, you may receive significant benefits from hormone therapy involving estrogen and other medications. Andropause, like menopause, affects aging males due to the reduction of the production of testosterone. Andropause is real and if you are past the age of 40 with any of these issues, you may benefit from BHRT. Low levels of hormones, including testosterone, decreases libido in both men and women. BHRT helps replace the lack of hormones and libido.

To begin exploring your treatment options at our Oklahoma City office, preliminary blood work is done, a follow-up visit is scheduled, and written information regarding BHRT is provided for your review prior to the follow-up. At the follow-up visit, lab values are reviewed and treatment recommendations are made with instructions for the proper administration of BHRT. Any questions you have regarding therapy can be answered at this time. Prescriptions are provided for local or mail-in pharmacies or a compounding pharmacy. Another visit is scheduled to monitor your response to therapy and will involve repeat lab testing to assure close monitoring.

Requirements & Other Considerations

Women wishing to undergo hormone therapy involving estrogen and other medications are required to have a current mammogram (within the past 12 months). This is important because two out of three instances of breast cancer test positive for estrogen or progesterone receptors. Under these circumstances, these hormones can actually accelerate the development of breast cancer. Your safety matters to us, and we want to take every measure to ensure that your treatment is as beneficial as possible. If you have not undergone a breast cancer screening in the last year, please do so prior to your consultation.

We feel it is important to note that the National Institutes of Health concluded that taking estrogen alone does not increase the risk of breast cancer among those who have no family history of breast cancer and no benign breast diseases. However, it has also been found that the risk of breast cancer increases when taking estrogen in combination with progesterone. Dr. Jayne welcomes you to ask any questions you may have about the risk of breast cancer and other topics relating to hormone therapy during your consultation at our Edmond office.

Men are required to have a current PSA blood test as well as a recent rectal exam completed within the last 12 months.

Hormone Replacement Therapy for Women

BHRT is most commonly recommended after menopause and involves balancing estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid hormone, DHEA, and vitamin D. Balancing these factors can significantly improve several types of symptoms:

• Hot Flashes
• Mood Swings
• Vaginal Dryness
• Painful Intercourse
• Sleep Disturbances
• Fatigue
• Night Sweats
• Memory Problems
• Weight Gain
• Decreased Libido
• Skin and Hair Problems
• Irregular Periods
• Premenstrual Symptoms

Hormone therapy may also help to decrease blood pressure and reduce plaque formation on the arterial walls, reduce the risk or the severity of type 2 diabetes (or both), reduce bone loss, reduce the risk of colorectal cancer and increase HDL (good cholesterol) while lowering LDL (bad cholesterol), and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s dementia by raising estrogen levels.

During a consultation at his Edmond office, Dr. Jayne can determine the right amount of estrogen and other hormones, as well as vitamin supplements, to help you achieve your goals.

Hormone Replacement Therapy for Men

Reduced hormone levels in men may be associated with:

• Weakness
• Disturbed Sleep
• Osteoporosis
• Heart Disease
• Atherosclerosis
• Irritability
• Insomnia
• Impotence
• Low Testosterone
• Decreased Libido
• Slow Wound Healing
• Prostate problems
• Low Sperm Count
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Reduced Muscle Mass
• Memory Impairment
• Impaired Blood Cell Formation
• Reduced Cognitive Function

These effects are the result of a gradual drop in testosterone, DHEA, thyroid hormone, and vitamin D levels that start to substantially decline around age 40. Low testosterone can cause impotence, or erectile dysfunction. Balancing these hormones and vitamins will help significantly and may be associated with beneficial changes in fatigue, impotence, blood pressure, cholesterol, muscle mass, and bone density as well as helping to protect against heart disease, stroke, and Alzheimer’s disease.

I have not experienced any noticeable effects of menopause or andropause yet. Will I need to undergo hormone therapy eventually?

Not necessarily. Some men and women experience symptoms that are relatively mild, while others suffer more pronounced symptoms, such as disruptive hot flashes. If you begin experiencing symptoms that you feel are compromising your quality of life, schedule a consultation with Dr. Jayne and he can determine if hormone therapy is right for you.

Will my hormone therapy be ongoing for the rest of my life?

Most women undergo therapy involving estrogen or other hormones for three to five years, but some may require a longer course of treatment. It all depends on your individual needs, which Dr. Jayne will assess during a visit to our practice.

When will I see results?

It varies with every patient. However, many begin to notice positive changes within a few weeks, with the full extent of results becoming apparent within three to six months.

Are the hormones prescription-only?

Yes. The specific amount of hormones each patient needs must be carefully determined through testing, and there is no one-size-fits-all dose or combination of hormones. In fact, your prescription may be hand-made at a compounding pharmacy.

What is a compounding pharmacy?

Unlike an ordinary pharmacy, a compounding pharmacy can make customized medications to meet specific needs when the right medication is not commercially available. This service is important in BHRT because it allows doses to be tailored specifically to your hormone levels.

Will hormone therapy interact poorly with my other prescription medications?

In most cases, bad interactions only occur when your other prescriptions contain hormones. Birth control, for example, contains estrogen. During your appointment, you should be prepared to tell Dr. Jayne about all prescriptions you currently take so that he can determine a safe and effective solution for your needs.