FAQs

Your initial consultation will last one hour, and we will ask you to do some blood work beforehand. During the appointment, you'll have a chance to discuss how you've been feeling and the reasons for your visit with your provider. Based on your blood work results and symptoms, you will receive a treatment recommendation. We focus on treating the person, not just the numbers, so your description of how you feel is crucial. We encourage you to be open and honest. If you decide to start treatment, you can begin on the same day.

We will address all your questions during your initial consultation. Additionally, we recommend attending a New Patient Orientation, which takes place twice a month. During the orientation, our provider will explain what bio-identical hormones are, why they are essential for your health, and how they contribute to your well-being and longevity. This educational session is not a sales pitch but an opportunity to learn about your treatment options. To sign up for the next orientation, please visit our website's "Patients" tab and look for the "Free 1-Hour Hormone Webinar." We would love to have you join!

Bioidentical hormones are molecules that exactly match the hormones naturally present in your body. They are derived from yam and soy plants and then synthesized into bioidentical hormones. Your body recognizes and responds to them in the same way as its own hormones. It's important to note that the method of administration, such as pills, creams, patches, or pellets, can affect their effectiveness and side effects. Achieving balanced hormone levels can lead to an active, happy, and healthy life.

Both types of hormones are produced in a laboratory, but they differ in their molecular structure and how the body metabolizes them. Natural bioidentical hormones come from plant sources and closely match our body's molecular structure, offering the health benefits of producing our own hormones. On the other hand, synthetic hormones were created by pharmaceutical companies as they couldn't patent natural hormones. Synthetic hormones do not match our body's molecular structure and can cause adverse reactions when taken.

Contrary to popular belief, bioidentical hormones derived from plant sources, such as soy and yams, are approved by the FDA. These hormones are formulated in a lab and customized to each patient's needs at a compounding pharmacy. The delivery methods can include pellets, pills, gels, creams, patches, and vaginal rings. Synthetic hormones, in contrast, are standardized in dose and delivery method for precise regulation. Bioidentical hormones are customized to your specific requirements, which can make regulation more challenging.

Bioidentical hormone replacement may be necessary for life. When hormone therapy is stopped, deficient levels quickly return along with the symptoms that were present before treatment. The duration of treatment will be determined in consultation with your provider, considering factors such as your age, hormone levels, and overall health.

The time required to balance your hormones varies from person to person, but you can generally expect to see improvement within 2 to 4 months. Some individuals may experience symptom improvement as early as 4 weeks. Throughout your wellness journey, hormone levels may fluctuate due to various factors like exercise, diet, stress, sleep, and aging. Our hormone programs ensure that you have frequent access to our Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner to help you feel your best.

The time it takes to balance hormones can vary from person to person. Generally, you can expect to start feeling balanced within 2 to 4 months. Some improvements in symptoms may be noticed as early as 4 weeks. Keep in mind that hormone levels can fluctuate due to factors like exercise, healthy eating, stress, sleep, aging, and more. At ReNew Me Medical Group, we offer hormone programs that provide you with frequent access to our Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner to ensure you feel your best throughout your wellness journey.

The cost of Hormone Replacement Therapy depends on your individual needs based on symptoms and lab results. After your initial lab review, we will explain the costs to you, allowing you to decide if our program is right for you.

Prescribing Bioidentical hormones requires specialized education and training, similar to how everyday doctors don't perform surgeries or treat terminal illnesses. Most doctors focus on treating illnesses rather than preventing them. That's where we come in! At ReNew Me Medical Group, we specialize in hormone replacement therapy and understand its benefits and safety, supported by extensive literature. We are here to provide you with the best care possible.

Unfortunately, most insurance plans do not cover bioidentical hormone therapy because it is considered a wellness program rather than "sick care." However, at ReNew Me Medical Group, we offer CareCredit financing and accept all major credit cards to make the therapy more accessible. We do not bill insurance or provide letters of medical necessity for Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy due to the lack of allowable billing codes.

No, we strongly encourage you to come in for an evaluation by our nurse practitioner. She will analyze your hormone levels and help determine a cancer risk strategy to assist in disease prevention through bioidentical hormone therapy, nutrition, and exercise. Our goal is to provide you with personalized care.

Cancer patients may use bioidentical hormones, but the use of certain hormones may not be ideal. It is important to have a thorough discussion with our Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner about your cancer and remission to ensure the proper care is provided.

Many people have been concerned and confused about the connection between hormones and cancer since the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study in 2002. This study involved 16,000 women and aimed to evaluate the effects of hormones on cardiovascular health, cancer, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer's risk in postmenopausal women. The study's negative outcomes were expected because of the specific medication used, which combined a synthetic hormone called oral horse estrogen (Premarin®) with synthetic progestin (Provera®). The undesired effects observed were due to the following reasons:

• The synthetic hormone Premarin®, derived from pregnant horses, contains mostly estrone and equine hormones that are not natural to humans. In the study, Provera®, a synthetic progesterone called progestin, was also used.
• The administration of Premarin® and Provera® in oral form caused them to pass through the liver, increasing clotting factors and inflammatory proteins (CRP). These effects are not observed with transdermal (skin) application.

One of the largest studies to date comparing the risk of breast cancer with the use of natural bioidentical hormones has shown that natural hormones carry significantly less associated risk of breast cancer and offer additional benefits. Correctly administered natural combinations of hormone therapy have been shown to decrease the risks of breast cancer by 80%, stroke and heart attack by 50%, osteoporosis by 50%, Alzheimer's by 80%, osteoarthritis by 40%, and colon cancer by 40%. This study, published in Breast Cancer Research in 2007, examined the association between various forms of hormone therapy and the incidence of breast cancer in over 80,000 postmenopausal women for more than 8 years after menopause. The study found the following:

• Women who were given estrogen only (using different preparations) had a slightly increased risk of breast cancer compared to those who never used estrogen. The increased risk was 1.29 times higher.
• If a synthetic progestin was used in combination with estrogen, the risk significantly increased by 1.69 times higher than those who never used estrogen and progestin.
• However, women who were given a natural combination of estrogen and progesterone did not have an increased risk of breast cancer compared to those who never used estrogen.
• Additionally, those who used a natural combination containing estradiol had a lower risk for breast cancer compared to those who never used hormone replacement.

It's important to note that these findings indicate a reduced risk when using natural hormone combinations and highlight the benefits of hormone therapy. If you have concerns about breast cancer and hormone therapy, we encourage you to consult with our healthcare professionals for personalized guidance and support.

The HCG hormone helps with weight loss by metabolizing stored fat in your body while following a low-calorie diet. This not only provides you with energy during the diet but also helps you lose inches more quickly compared to diet and exercise alone.

Yes, our HCG program is perfectly safe. With 14 years of experience and physician supervision, you can trust in the safety of the program. Your body will utilize nutrients and energy from abnormal fat deposits to nourish you while following our guidelines for the low-calorie diet phase. We also provide a variety of supplements to ensure your weight loss journey is as quick, safe, and comfortable as possible.

To maintain your weight loss, we offer a 21-day maintenance program that follows each HCG program. This program is essential for resetting your set point and keeping the weight off. We calculate your caloric needs based on your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) after your weight loss. As your calories return to normal, we gradually reintroduce specific foods into your diet and teach you healthier eating habits to sustain your weight after completing the program.

No, you won't feel hungry. Our experts ensure that you receive the appropriate amount of HCG based on your size and activity level. Our products provide your body with the necessary nutrients and energy stored in abnormal fat deposits to nourish you during the low-calorie phase of the program. You won't experience physiological hunger during the first week of the low-calorie phase. However, you may have cravings and carbohydrate withdrawal as toxins are eliminated from your body. These effects typically pass after the first week.

Our program is tailored to meet the individual needs of each patient, considering your goals, overall health, and caloric needs. We understand that one-size-fits-all diets don't work. Therefore, we start with a consultation to understand your personal goals and assess your health. Based on that, we design a program that fits your specific needs. We will explain the costs during the consultation, allowing you to decide if our program is right for you.

No, exercise is not necessary for the HCG program to work. Although we encourage normal activity, it's important to know that excessive or high-intensity exercise won't necessarily make the program work faster or better. The focus of the program is on burning fat, and the results can be achieved without intense workouts.

No, it is not recommended to engage in strenuous workouts while on the HCG program. Light activities like walking are okay, but you don't want your heart rate to get elevated. This diet is not designed as an exercise program, so focus on following the guidelines and maintaining a healthy activity level.