About the Expert
About the ExpertTerri DeNeui is the founder of EVEXIAS Medical Centers and creator of the EvexiPEL method. As a board-certified nurse practitioner she holds certifications in Hormone Replacement Therapy, Preventive Wellness Medicine, and Functional Medicine. Dr. DeNeui earned her bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Texas Women’s University, and her master’s and doctorate degrees in nursing from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Q&A
What is bio-identical hormone replacement therapy?
Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is a natural alternative to synthetic hormone replacement therapies. The structure of bio-identical hormones — testosterone, estrogen or both—is perfectly matched to the individual patient’s body. They are natural, plant-based substances that metabolize in our bodies the way nature intended.
Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) has been around since the 1930s. In the 1940s synthetic estrogen came into use. Subcutaneous pellet treatment became less popular over the years, but in the past two decades it has made a huge resurgence.
Is hormone replacement mainly for older people?
We see people in their 20s and 30s suffering from endocrine disruption, a hormonal imbalance. It can result from hormones in our food, chemicals in our environment, factors that we can’t escape.
Traditional Western medicine starts treating women in their 50s for symptoms like hot flashes and trouble sleeping. But 10 to 20 years before that, women start having a testosterone decrease.
Men start to experience a slow hormone decline in their 30s. Most hormone replacement treatments for men focus on erectile dysfunction (ED) in their 50s. But they begin to experience depression, irritability, fatigue and other symptoms well before their 50th birthday.
We tell people that if they wait until their 50s to start hormone replacement therapy, they’ve already missed a decade or more of disease prevention.
Why do women need testosterone?
A woman’s body makes testosterone naturally. Testosterone replacement will not create male characteristics in a woman. It can alleviate fatigue, difficulty focusing, decreased libido and other symptoms.
What are the greatest concerns about hormone replacement therapy?
In the early 2000s a large research project called the Women’s Health Initiative Trial took place.There were two arms of the trial: one tested an estrogen only replacement; the other tested a combination of estrogen and progestin. The progestin arm showed higher rates of breast cancer, cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s disease. The media took that information and applied it to all hormone therapy. Doctors stopped prescribing hormones and patients started flushing their hormone medication. To this day we are still unraveling that. Not a single study has shown estrogen to cause cancer.
How do I find a provider who understands BHRT?
Visit evexipel.com and click on “Find a Provider.” We train medical professionals all over the country. You can type in your address and find a provider near you who can help you uncover the root cause of your health issues and accompany you on the path to your best health ever.
FDA Disclaimer. The information in this article is for education purposes only. These statements and testimonials are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The statements made regarding some or all products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Please consult a physician or other health care professional for your specific health care and medical needs or concerns.
