Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)
Hot flashes, restless nights and a fading sense of energy are common during perimenopause and menopause, and many women look for options. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is a physician-guided approach that may help relieve symptoms linked to changing hormone levels.
Hormones matched to your body and your labs
Bioidentical hormones are designed to match the estrogen, progesterone and testosterone your body produces. The term is not a regulatory category, and some FDA-approved products are bioidentical while others are compounded. In menopause and the years leading up to it, those levels shift and often fall, and many women notice the change in their sleep, mood, skin, weight and comfort long before a period stops.
At Living Waters, treatment begins with a conversation about what you are experiencing and a lab panel that shows where your hormones actually stand. Based on that picture, we design a plan that may include estrogen, progesterone, testosterone or a combination, in a form that suits your routine, such as a cream, capsule, patch or pellet.
Your plan is not set and forgotten. We recheck labs, ask how you feel and adjust the dose as your body responds, with the goal of using the lowest amount that gives you meaningful relief. Treatment also takes your personal and family health history into account, since hormone therapy is not right for everyone.
Hormone therapy has risks, including breast cancer, blood clots and stroke, and it is not right for everyone. Compounded bioidentical hormones are not FDA-approved. We review your history and use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time that serves your goals.
At a glance
- Best for
- Women in perimenopause or menopause
- Forms
- Creams, capsules, patches or pellets, chosen with you
- Starting point
- Consultation, health history and lab panel
- Monitoring
- Follow-up visits and labs to refine your dose
Who it may help
Women who are experiencing changes such as:
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Trouble falling or staying asleep
- Mood changes or irritability
- Vaginal dryness or discomfort
- Low energy and brain fog
- Reduced interest in intimacy
How treatment works
- 1Listen and test. We talk through your symptoms, medical history and goals, then draw labs to see your current hormone levels.
- 2Build your plan. Dr. Viglione and our nurse practitioners recommend the hormones, dose and delivery method that fit your needs and risk profile.
- 3Check in and adjust. We follow up on how you feel and repeat labs so your plan can be fine-tuned over time.
Menopause care from a physician-led team
Dr. Deborah Viglione, a board-certified internist, treats the whole person rather than a single symptom. She and nurse practitioners Amy Schram, APRN and Brandy Nicholson, APRN review your history and labs so each plan is monitored and personal.
Bioidentical hormone questions
What makes a hormone bioidentical?
Bioidentical hormones are designed to match the hormones your body makes. They are typically synthesized from plant-derived precursors and prepared at a dose guided by your labs and symptoms.
How long does it take to feel better?
Some women notice improvements in hot flashes and sleep within a few weeks, while mood and energy can take longer. Results vary, and we adjust your plan as we learn how you respond.
Is hormone therapy safe for everyone?
No. Hormone therapy is not appropriate for every patient, and your personal and family history, including breast cancer, clotting and heart disease, matter. We review these carefully before recommending treatment and monitor you afterward.
How long will I stay on treatment?
That depends on your symptoms and goals. Many patients revisit the plan every year with their provider to decide whether to continue, adjust or taper.
Visit us in Gulf Breeze
103 Nightingale Ln, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561 · Get directions
Text or leave a voicemail at (850) 934-8138. Serving Gulf Breeze, Pensacola, Pensacola Beach and Navarre.
Individual results vary. This page is for information only and is not medical advice. Compounded bioidentical hormones are not FDA-approved.