With a growing emphasis on wellness and disease prevention in today’s world, it is vital for physicians to recognize and become conversant with a variety of hormone treatments. Compounding pharmacy has a major role to play in creating customized hormone based therapies to promote wellness and disease prevention.
American Integrative Pharmacy provides a range of hormone replacement therapies to patients in Long Beach, Torrance, Los Angeles, South Bay Orange County, Southern California areas and nationwide.
Role of End-Organ Sex Hormones
Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are end-organ sex hormones that are present both women and men, but in different levels. The most active form of estrogen is estradiol, which directly impacts a number of cellular functions. All the components of estrogen have distinct roles to play. Therefore, when a hormone replacement therapy is prepared using estrogen, care must be taken to customize it according to the individual function of each of its components.
Estrogen and progesterone are antagonists, and their actions are aimed at keeping each other in check and creating mutual balance. Without proper hormonal balance, an individual cannot live in a healthy state. Under normal conditions, hormones do not act independently of each other in a healthy person. For instance, estrogen promotes cell growth in the endometrium, while progesterone inhibits it. Without progesterone, the uterus will develop endometrial hyperplasia.
Progesterone acts a precursor to most sex hormones, including testosterone, estrogen, all androgens and other adrenal hormones. That makes it a very vital hormone for reasons much beyond its role as a sex hormone. Progesterone in the uterus and breast counteracts cell proliferation through suppression of estrogen driven activity. This allows the body to maintain cell growth in healthy balance.
Bioidentical Hormone Preparations
These hormones are manufactured to have an identical molecular structure as the natural hormones in the body. Bioidentical preparations include estriol, estradiol, progesterone and testosterone. Bioidentical hormones are available in both compounded and commercial forms.
Compounded as well as commercially produced bioidentical hormone preparations include:
- Beta estradiol (Alora, Climara, Esclim, Estrace)
- Beta estradiol patches (FemPatch, Vivelle-Dot, Vivelle, Estraderm)
- Estradiol transdermal spray (Evamist)
- Progesterone in peanut oil capsule (Prometrium)
- Progesterone vaginal gel (Crinone)
- Micronized progesterone in various compounded forms (capsules, troches, transdermal creams, vaginal suppositories)
- Combinations of estradiol and progesterone in compounded formulations as above
- Combinations of estradiol, estriol, and progesterone in compounded formulations as above
Individually compounded preparations of bioidentical hormones are made in compounding pharmacies or labs. These are prepared on a customized basis as prescribed by the physician. These products contain the same active progesterone, estrogen and testosterone as found in the commercial preparations.
The advantage is that these preparations can be individually mixed in pill, capsule, gel, cream, or troches to the specific needs of a patient and as prescribed by a physician. Unlike commercial hormone preparations, the compounded hormones are not produced on a mass scale. These can only be created uniquely for a patient as prescribed by a licensed practitioner in accordance with the state regulations.
AIP provides a range of services, including online prescription refills to patients in Long Beach, Torrance, Los Angeles, South Bay Orange County, Southern California areas, and nationwide.
For more information on compound medications available or to make an online prescription purchase, please click here or call Toll Free 1-855-247-7948.
American Integrative Pharmacy is located in Lomita, CA serving residents in and around Orange County, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Torrance and surrounding areas. Online prescription sales are available across the US.
