INSTITUTE FOR HORMONAL BALANCE AND BIOTE

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about the expert

MANDY COTTEN

MANDY COTTEN, DNP, APRN, FNP-C

Dr. Mandy Cotton APRN has performed over 25,000 pellet procedures, averaging 300 a month. As clinic coordinator at BioTE, she helps train others in the importance of hormone optimization to assist patients in achieving the highest quality of life. She’s on the clinical advisory board of BioTe, and Formula 30A and is currently involved in research to investigate the long-term benefits of hormones and the BioTE method.

HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY THE WONDERS OF BIOIDENTICAL HORMONE REPLACEMENT

WHAT ARE BIOIDENTICAL HORMONES?

Bioidentical hormones look exactly like your naturally occurring hormones. So, they can enter your body, go directly to the receptor site, and achieve the desired results. Conversely, synthetic hormones must be metabolized through the liver fi rst where they must convert to a different hormone and sometimes can cause the opposite effect then what’s desired. Where conventional hormone therapy is often only available in one or two set doses, bioidentical hormone therapy (BHRT) dosage can be tailored to the individual patient’s needs. BHRT can be administered through creams, patches, pills, or pellets. Patients can contact Institute for Hormonal Balance at (817) 467-7474 or Donovitz.com to schedule a consultation and determine which is best for them.

WHY DON’T MORE PRACTITIONERS UTILIZE BIOIDENTICAL HORMONES?

Unfortunately, there was a—now discredited—study in 2002 called the Women’s Health Initiative which incorrectly indicated that hormones were dangerous for women. Due to the media’s exacerbation of this study, many providers and patients were scared away from hormone therapy—conventional or bioidentical. The primary investigators in this study have walked back their fi ndings realizing they didn’t show bioidentical hormones to be dangerous for women. (However, synthetic progestins did increased risk for breast cancer and cardiovascular issues.) One of the primary investigators, Dr. Robert Langer has since said, “Over-generalizing the results from the women who were on average 12 years past menopause to all post-menopausal women, has led to needless suffering and lost opportunities for many.” Many women have unduly suffered due to the overgeneralization of these fi ndings. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BHRT?

Balanced mood, improved sleep, reduced brain fog, decreased hot flashes, decreased vaginal dryness, increased stamina and energy, increased muscle mass, decreased fat mass, increased libido, heart protection, bone protection, brain protection, and enhanced sexual response and desire. HOW SOON CAN I EXPECT RESULTS FROM BHRT?

This depends on the type of hormone therapy you’re using. Typically, you should start to notice a difference within seven to 10 days of starting a new therapy. With pellet therapy, you should notice a larger difference around the four-to-six-week mark. Sometimes adjustments to the treatment plan are needed HOW OFTEN WILL I NEED TO FOLLOW UP DURING MY THERAPY?

Hormone therapy is not black and white. We obtain initial lab testing, then test again four to six weeks after initiating therapy. The patient shouldn’t require labs again for another year, unless we’re adjusting their dose. Most male patients need pellet therapy every four to six months. Most female patients need pellet therapy every three to fi ve months. HOW MUCH SHOULD I EXPECT TO PAY?

Pellet therapy for women is $350 every three to fi ve months. For men it ranges between $650 and $750 every four to six months.