Start by reading the information presented in the ‘Women’ or ‘Men’ section of this web-site. Then click on ‘Relief Starts Here’  section and follow the Hormone Therapy Procedure Guide.

We recommend salivary hormone testing. However, when the testing should occur and the type of testing to be completed is an individualized approach. Testing will be discussed with you during the Bio-identical Hormone Replacement consultation. Visit the ‘Testing’ section of this web-site for more information.

The initial consultation with our pharmacy staff is free.  Prescriptions are billable to most insurance plans and are usually covered at brand name copay. Thus far we have found that some Aetna and some Medicare Part D plans do not cover compounded medication. If not covered, cash pricing is $35.00-$50.00 per month, depending upon supplementation needed.

 Visit our ‘Provider Listing’ section of this web-site for a list of healthcare practitioners in the area who are familiar with Bio-identical Hormone Replacement. Also, you can visit www.womeninbalance.org/find_help/ to find a doctor in your area that may be willing to work with you regarding Bio-identical Hormone Replacement.

Bio-identical hormones are identical in structure to what your body already produces naturally, and can be customized for your individual needs. Manufactured hormones are often synthetic or non-human, have a different structure, and cannot be customized.

Consult first with your healthcare practitioner. You may also visit the ‘Recommended Resources’ section of this web-site and click on the ‘BHRT & Risk of Breast Cancer’ link for an article discussing bio-identical hormones and breast cancer risk.

Your prescription can be picked up at any of the five Schwieterman Pharmacy locations or it can be mailed to you. To see a listing of our locations, click on the ‘Locations’ section of this web-site.

Bio-identical Hormone Replacement is not a “one size fits all” approach. Every individual’s body is different and no one’s body responds the same. Typically, however, patients experience relief between 3 and 12 weeks after beginning therapy.

Ultimately the choice is yours. However, studies indicate that there are long-term benefits from maintaining normal hormone levels, such as;  reduced risk of osteoporosis, increased blood flow to the brain, increased GABA (calming neurotransmitter in the brain), brain development and aging, reduced overall risk of heart disease, increased HDL, improved sleep, and increased water content of skin for less wrinkling.

Not all hormones are created equal. Fears of breast cancer were heightened when the WHI study was stopped prematurely due to an increased risk of breast cancer and heart disease that was seen in women taking Prempro™. This study highlighted the risk of non-human estrogen therapy when using synthetic hormones. Bio-identical hormones were not part of this study. In fact, there are many studies which indicate that bio-identical progesterone use inhibits breast cell growth. Visit the ‘Recommended Resources’ section of this web-site and click on the ‘BHRT & Risk for Breast Cancer’  link for an article discussing bio-identical hormones and breast cancer risk.