Hormone Health

You may not be able to tell on your own. Symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, or changes in sexual desire can be hormone-related, but symptoms such as fatigue, poor sleep, or low mood have many possible causes. A consultation is the best way to sort out what’s likely going on.

No. We’ll decide which tests, if any, make sense after we talk with you. For men, testosterone needs to be checked with morning blood tests on more than one day, so we’ll give you instructions on timing. Many women in menopause don’t need hormone blood tests at all.

No. Some patients find their symptoms are mild enough to manage without medication, some have health conditions that make hormone therapy unsafe, and some have symptoms caused by something else. Our goal is to find the right plan for you, which may or may not include hormones.

For women, we offer estrogen as a patch, gel, or spray; oral estrogen with progesterone; and low-dose vaginal estrogen. For men with confirmed testosterone deficiency, we offer testosterone injections. We prescribe FDA-approved medications whenever a suitable option exists.

Follow-up is usually more frequent in the first few months after starting or changing treatment, then less often once you’re stable, typically at least once a year. Men on testosterone generally need repeat testosterone levels and blood counts after starting and then on a regular schedule. We’ll set a schedule based on your treatment and health history.

For women, menopausal hormone therapy is the most effective treatment for hot flashes and night sweats, and vaginal estrogen can relieve dryness and discomfort. Risks depend on your age, how long it’s been since menopause, the type and form of treatment, and your health history, and can include blood clots, stroke, and, with some combined therapy, breast cancer.

For men with confirmed testosterone deficiency, treatment may improve sexual desire and other symptoms. Possible risks include a higher red blood cell count, acne, fluid retention, breast tenderness, and reduced fertility. We’ll go over the benefits and risks that apply to you before you decide, and monitor for side effects during treatment.

Yes. Testosterone treatment can lower sperm production and may make it harder to conceive. If you are trying to have children now or may want to in the future, tell us before starting treatment so we can talk about other options or a referral.

No. Hormone therapy is a self-pay (cash pay) service, and we do not bill insurance for hormone consultations, labs, or follow-up visits. Getting started costs $150, which includes your consultation and initial labs. Prescriptions are billed separately by the pharmacy; you can ask your pharmacy whether your prescription benefits apply to your medication.

Yes. Please bring your records, recent lab results, and a list of your current medications and doses. We’ll review your history and may need our own evaluation or testing before continuing a prescription. We can’t guarantee that a current treatment will be continued unchanged. Testosterone is a controlled substance, so additional prescribing requirements apply.

We prescribe FDA-approved medications whenever a suitable option exists. In some cases, we may discuss a compounded medication. Compounded hormones are not FDA-approved and have not been reviewed by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or consistent dosing. “Bioidentical” does not automatically mean compounded, safer, or more effective, and FDA-approved bioidentical options are available. If we ever recommend a compounded product, we’ll explain why and what that means for you.