Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)
At Verve Health, we specialize in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) to help you achieve optimal health and vitality. BHRT uses plant-derived hormones that are chemically identical to those your body naturally produces, offering a personalized and more natural approach to hormone balance. Whether you're experiencing symptoms related to menopause, perimenopause, or other hormonal shifts, our team provides comprehensive care tailored to your specific needs.
Located in Ventura and serving Camarillo, Oxnard, and Santa Barbara, Verve Health is your partner in healthcare, helping you restore your well-being through targeted bioidentical hormone optimization.
Women’s Health
Understanding Hormones
Hormones play a critical role in your overall health, influencing everything from mood and energy levels to metabolism and sexual function. As women age, hormone levels naturally fluctuate—particularly during life changes like menopause, perimenopause, or andropause—leading to symptoms that can affect quality of life. Our approach is to identify the root cause of these symptoms and provide customized solutions to restore balance and vitality.
Menopause: A Natural Life Phase
Menopause is a normal and natural transition for women, typically occurring in their 40s or 50s, as the ovaries gradually produce less estrogen and progesterone. This hormonal shift can lead to a variety of symptoms that may impact daily life, including physical, emotional, and cognitive changes. Despite how common these symptoms are, they can be challenging to manage without proper support.
At Verve Health, we offer bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) tailored to each woman’s specific needs. Our treatments aim to reduce symptoms and restore hormonal balance, helping women navigate this natural phase with confidence and comfort. We believe in making menopause management accessible and removing any associated stigma, framing it as a natural, manageable phase of life.
Menopause Symptoms
Menopause brings about a variety of symptoms as the body adjusts to fluctuating hormone levels. These symptoms can impact multiple aspects of a woman’s health and daily life. Understanding these changes is the first step toward effective management and relief.
Below is a comprehensive list of common menopause symptoms:
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Roughly 75-80% of women experience vasomotor symptoms during menopause.¹ These may include:
Hot flashes: Sudden sensations of heat that spread through the body, typically lasting 3-4 minutes. Hot flashes occur unpredictably at any time of the day, and can negatively impact sleep and overall quality of life.
Night sweats: Episodes of intense sweating during sleep, disrupting rest and comfort.
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Roughly 50-75% of women experience genitourinary symptoms during menopause.² These often include:
Vaginal dryness: Reduced moisture leading to discomfort or painful sexual intercourse.
Urinary symptoms: Increased frequency, urgency, or leaking urine.
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Up to 70% of women may experience psychological and cognitive symptoms during menopause.³ These may include:
Mood swings: Fluctuations in mood, including irritability, anger, or sadness.⁴
Depression and anxiety: Higher risk of depressive symptoms compared to premenopausal women.
Brain fog and memory issues: Difficulty concentrating or recalling information.
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Insomnia: Trouble falling or staying asleep, often linked to night sweats or mood changes.
Sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome: Conditions that may worsen during menopause, affecting sleep quality.
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Fatigue: Persistent tiredness and low energy levels.
Weight gain: Shifts in metabolism may contribute to changes in body composition.
Bone loss: Reduced estrogen levels increase the risk of osteoporosis and bone thinning.⁵
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Decreased libido: Reduced interest in sexual activity due to hormonal fluctuations.
Painful intercourse: Caused by vaginal dryness and thinning of the vaginal tissues, leading to discomfort during sex.
Changes in arousal: Difficulty in becoming physically aroused or reaching orgasm, which can be influenced by hormonal changes and decreased estrogen levels.⁶
These symptoms, while common, can be disruptive to everyday life. Our team focuses on identifying these signs early and providing tailored bioidentical hormone replacement therapy solutions, helping women manage menopause comfortably and confidently.
What is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)?
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) involves using hormones that are identical in structure to the ones produced naturally by your body. Derived from plant sources, these hormones are customized to match your unique hormonal profile, providing a personalized approach that aligns with Verve Health’s commitment to holistic and integrative care.
BHRT is often chosen for its natural approach, aiming to reduce symptoms and restore balance with minimal side effects.We tailor each treatment plan to your needs, ensuring that our approach addresses the root cause of your symptoms and helps you regain vitality and overall well-being.
How Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy Works
Our BHRT process begins with a thorough consultation and lab testing to determine your exact hormone levels. Based on these results, we develop a customized treatment plan using bioidentical hormones, which can be administered through various methods such as oral medications, creams, patches, or injections, depending on your preference and lifestyle.
Verve Health closely monitors your progress throughout the treatment, adjusting hormone levels as needed to ensure that therapy remains effective and aligned with your goals. By using bioidentical hormones, we aim to restore balance in a way that mimics your body’s natural processes, promoting a more holistic sense of well-being.
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Consultation & Discovery Session
One-on-one consultation with our dedicated provider to understand your unique health goals.
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Advanced Health Assessment
Comprehensive laboratory testing to uncover your body’s complete health story.
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Lab Results Deep Dive
In-depth review of your results with expert analysis and personalized insights.
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Your Custom Wellness Blueprint
Customized action plan designed to help you achieve and maintain optimal wellness.
Benefits of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
BHRT offers several benefits, including:
Restores energy and vitality using hormones that mimic the body’s natural ones.
Improves mood and cognitive function through a personalized approach
Alleviates symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness⁷
Supports bone health and reduces the risk of osteoporosis using a natural hormone approach
May result in fewer side effects due to the body’s ability to recognize and metabolize bioidentical hormones effectively.
FAQs About Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
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Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) is generally safe when administered under the supervision of a healthcare professional. However, as with any medical treatment, it may come with potential side effects. Some women may experience mild bloating, breast tenderness, headaches, or mood changes, particularly at the start of treatment. These side effects are often temporary and can be managed by adjusting the dosage. We carefully monitor your progress and hormone levels throughout your treatment to ensure the safest and most effective care.
Historically, observational studies raised concerns that hormone replacement therapy, in general, might increase the risk of breast cancer or cardiovascular disease. However, newer research, based on clinical trials that provide more reliable data, indicates that when BHRT is administered with precision and customized to the individual, the risks are minimal. For women experiencing symptoms of hormone deficiency or imbalance, BHRT has been shown to be a safe and effective option, with a lower risk of serious complications—such as heart disease or cancer—compared to traditional synthetic hormone therapies.
While this newer evidence is reassuring, Verve Health will always discuss potential risks, benefits, and alternative treatment options with you before starting long-term hormone therapy, particularly if there are any underlying health conditions to consider. Your safety is our top priority, and we customize each treatment plan to your needs while closely monitoring your progress to ensure the best outcomes.⁸ -
Many women start to feel improvements in their symptoms within the first 2 to 4 weeks of beginning BHRT. However, it can take up to three months for the body to fully adapt and achieve the maximum benefits. Since each person’s response to treatment is unique, Verve Health monitors your progress closely, making any necessary adjustments to your hormone levels and dosage to ensure the best possible outcomes.
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Hormone replacement therapy may impact fertility, so it’s important to discuss any family planning goals with our team before beginning treatment.
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Women experiencing moderate to severe menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, or vaginal dryness may benefit from systemic estrogen therapy. Additionally, individuals with early menopause or estrogen deficiency may be ideal candidates, as BHRT can help reduce the risk of osteoporosis and other health issues associated with low estrogen levels.⁹
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While BHRT is effective, it’s essential to consider potential side effects. Some individuals may experience short-term effects like breast tenderness, mood changes, or headaches. At Verve Health, we monitor your progress closely to ensure that any risks are minimized, and adjustments are made as necessary.
Contact Us
If you’re ready to take the next step in restoring your health, energy, and vitality, Verve Health is here to help. Our practice, located in Ventura, serves individuals across Camarillo, Oxnard, and nearby communities. Together, we’ll create a personalized plan that addresses your unique needs, empowering you to live life with optimal vitality. Contact us today to schedule your complimentary consultation and learn more about how bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can help you.
¹ Peacock K, Carlson K, Ketvertis KM. Menopause. [Updated 2023 Dec 21]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507826/. Accessed October 21, 2024.
² Peacock K, Carlson K, Ketvertis KM. Menopause. [Updated 2023 Dec 21]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507826/. Accessed October 21, 2024
³ Soares CN. Depression and Menopause: An Update on Current Knowledge and Clinical Management for this Critical Window. Med Clin North Am. 2019 Jul;103(4):651-667. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2019.03.001. PMID: 31078198. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31078198/. Accessed October 21, 2024.
⁴ Soares CN. Depression and Menopause: An Update on Current Knowledge and Clinical Management for this Critical Window. Med Clin North Am. 2019 Jul;103(4):651-667. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2019.03.001. PMID: 31078198. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31078198/. Accessed October 21, 2024.
⁵ Cleveland Clinic. Hormone Therapy for Menopause Symptoms. Available: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/15245-hormone-therapy-for-menopause-symptoms. Accessed October 21, 2024.
⁶ The Menopause Society. Sexual Health. Available: https://menopause.org/patient-education/menopause-topics/sexual-health. Accessed October 21, 2024.
⁷ Cleveland Clinic. Bioidentical Hormones. Available: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/15660-bioidentical-hormones. Accessed October 21, 2024.
⁸ National Library of Medicine. Menopausal Hormone Replacement Therapy and Reduction of All-Cause Mortality and Cardiovascular Diseases: It’s about Time and Timing. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9178928/. Accessed October 21, 2024.
⁹ Mayo Clinic. Hormone therapy: Is it right for you? Available: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/in-depth/hormone-therapy/art-20046372. Accessed October 21, 2024.