Frequently Asked Questions for
Bioidentical Hormone Therapy
What are the costs of appointments?
The Initial Consultation, which is scheduled for 60-90 minutes, is $325.
Thereafter, 30-minute follow ups are $130, or 15-minute follow ups are $95. Our new patient appointments are 60-90 minutes in length, where we have the time needed to do a deep dive into your health symptoms and look for the root cause of your symptoms.
Do you take insurance?
Do you provide financing?
- Zero-interest* plans available (3-6 months)
- Long-term fixed rate plans with APRs as low as 6.99%**
- No impact on your credit score to apply
- No down payments or hidden fees
*Zero-interest plans offered to all those approved. Zero-interest when paid in full during the promotional period.
**Requires enrollment in recurring payments. Assumes excellent credit, loans subject to credit approval.
How much are lab tests?
If you don’t have insurance, we are able to provide you with a substantially discounted price for a comprehensive hormone panel typically under $200. Discounted rates are also provided for other lab tests as well.
What is the process of working together?
What does your standard of care look like and how are you different from a traditional medical doctor?
What is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT)?
What are the benefits of bioidentical hormone therapy?
- Helps to manage the symptoms of menopause (so you feel like you felt in your 30s).
- Offers relief from the symptoms of hormonal imbalance, such as migraines, insomnia, weight gain or loss, osteoporosis, depression, anxiety and low energy levels.
- It is good for your breast, brain, bone, heart, and skin health.
- Improves the elasticity, tone, and texture of the skin by encouraging hydration and collagen production.
- Slows down the aging process.
- Improves the quality and quantity of sleep.
- Encourages better metabolism and stronger immune system.
- Reduces the risk of diabetes, cataracts, and various musculoskeletal issues, including osteoarthritis.
- Promotes healthy libido and reproductive functioning.
- Improves quality of life and general wellbeing.
- Corrects metabolism in weight loss and weight gain.
- Regulates body temperature, decreases hot flashes or cold intolerance.
- Boosts lean muscle mass as testosterone levels declining at age 35 can cause loss of lean muscle resulting in a slower metabolism as lean muscle is vital to a healthy metabolism.
How are BHRT pellets inserted and is it painful?
Local Anesthesia:
The area where the BHRT hormone pellets will be inserted is numbed with lidocaine.
Small Incision:
A small incision is made, usually in the hip or buttock area.
BHRT Pellet Insertion:
The BHRT pellets, which are small, rice-sized capsules, are inserted under the skin through the incision.
Post-Procedure Discomfort:
Some people may experience slight discomfort, bruising, swelling, or soreness at the incision site for a few days, but these are usually mild and temporary.
Minimal Recovery:
The procedure itself is quick, usually taking about 5-15 minutes, and there’s typically minimal downtime.
What are the signs and symptoms of menopause?
- Hot flashes: Sudden waves of heat that can leave you sweating and red-faced.
- Night sweats: These are hot flashes that strike at night.
- Vaginal symptoms: Reduced estrogen can lead to discomfort and dryness of the vagina. This can cause discomfort during intimacy.
- Trouble sleeping: Tossing and turning or waking frequently can be a result of hormonal shifts.
- Mood swings: Feeling on edge, irritable, or inexplicably sad? It could be your hormones.
- Weight gain: Weight gain can creep up during menopause, especially around the midsection .
- Irregular periods: Inconsistent menstrual cycles are a red flag.
- Hair loss: Thinning hair or noticeable shedding can be related to changes in hormone levels.
- Skin changes: Acne, dry skin, and skin irritation issues might be linked to your hormones.
- Decreased energy levels: Feeling sluggish and tired can be more than just a result of a busy life.
- Difficulty concentrating: Struggling to stay focused or experiencing brain fog might indicate a hormonal issue.
Are you interested in taking our hormone quiz and getting a brief (5–15-minute), complimentary phone consultation with Dr. Ash to discuss the results?
https://www.agelessbeautyrx.com/complimentary-health-quiz-consultation/
Once we receive your hormone quiz results, within 24 hours (Monday-Friday), we will coordinate a brief (5-15 minute), complimentary phone consultation with you and Dr. Ash to review your results.
When should I seek medical advice?
In addition, Dr. Ash can offer the following to provide a clearer picture:
- Assess personal medical history: Looking at your symptoms, lifestyle, and any other health issues you might have.
- Conduct a physical exam: This involves checking for signs of hormonal imbalance, like skin changes or weight fluctuations.
- Run lab tests: Blood tests or other types of tests measure your hormone levels and identify any imbalances.
An accurate diagnosis is crucial. Without it, your symptoms might get worse or remain untreated. Working with Dr. Ash means you’ll get the right care—whether that’s starting BHRT, taking specific medications, or making lifestyle adjustments. The sooner you address these issues, the better you’ll feel and the easier it will be to get back to your normal self.
What happens when hormones are out of balance?
Estrogen imbalance: Although estrogen is important for both men and women, it’s often thought of as a female hormone. It plays a crucial role in women’s bone health and reproductive functions. Estrogen deficiency can lead to mood swings, vaginal dryness, and vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes and night sweats). If you ever find yourself randomly tearing up during commercials, or the weather outside isn’t matching your internal temperature, estrogen may be the cause if it is out of balance. On the flip side, too much estrogen can cause issues like breast pain, heavy periods, and weight gain.
Progesterone deficiency: Progesterone is another key hormone in a woman’s life—regulating menstruation and pregnancy. Low progesterone levels can cause problems like irregular menstrual periods, difficulty maintaining a pregnancy, mood swings, and fatigue. Even though progesterone is less critical for men, low levels can still cause issues like fatigue and low libido.
Varying testosterone levels: Though testosterone is mainly associated with men, women also produce it, women actually produce more testosterone than estrogen. Testosterone is vital for energy, libido, bone health, and muscle mass. Women’s testosterone levels decrease with age, leading to symptoms like fatigue, reduced muscle mass, and low sex drive. Postmenopausal women can experience these symptoms when their testosterone levels drop.
What causes hormonal imbalances?
Age: As we age, our bodies naturally undergo changes that affect hormone levels. For women, this often means low estrogen levels during menopause. Men experience a gradual drop in testosterone, known as andropause. These changes can lead to symptoms commonly associated with aging, such as fatigue, weight gain, and muscle loss.
Lifestyle: One’s diet, sleep quality, and stress levels can all impact your hormone levels. Poor nutrition and excessive alcohol consumption can contribute to hormone imbalances. Stress, in particular, can wreak havoc on your hormones by releasing cortisol, which can interfere with other hormones.
Medical conditions: Specific medical conditions can also cause hormonal imbalances. Diseases like diabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and thyroid malfunctions can affect hormone production.
When can I expect to feel better and what is a typical experience?
Lisa F:
Highly recommended without reservation! Dr. Ash and her team provide individualized targeted care in a professional plush environment, where one feels known and cared for! Lovely attention to detail all around. BHRT has been a breeze and a game changer for my sleep, metabolism and energy. And then there’s Anne and Sylvia! – People have been commenting on my skin, and I’m not even through my DMK Stemzyme treatments with Anne. Below are pics of *extra mile* touches (tea while waiting in spa, products carefully packaged to continue care on cruise) that made me fall in love with this medspa!
Azie N:
So grateful to Dr. Ash, I am finally getting deep sleep after 4 years of feeling like a zombie. Dr. Ash made some recommendations and got me on some compounded medicines, and I am feeling great. Dr. Ash & Sylvia have been kind and committed to getting me back on track. Health is true wealth and I’m grateful to Dr. Ash.
Theresa E:
Dr. Ash is a very knowledgeable and experienced naturopathic doctor. She truly cares about her patients and gets to the root cause of your medical issues. Dr. Ash ran extensive labs to evaluate my health. For anyone not feeling heard from their traditional doctor or just not seeing any improvement in their symptoms, I would greatly recommend Dr. Ash. I was at a crossroad in my life with menopause, lots of life challenges (retirement, selling my home, moving), and high levels of stress all working against me. Deciding to partner with Dr. Ash and her team provided me with knowledge, medical testing, supplements, support and honesty, which was exactly what I needed to be better informed and prepared for this stage of my life – with all the challenges it brings. I now believe I’m on the right path to restoring good health! I’m grateful for Dr. Ash’s partnership in this journey.
Sandra Y:
I am so thankful that I am one of Dr. Ash’s patients! I have been battling weight gain and hair loss, as well as other post menopause symptoms; and since seeing her I have lost over 20 lbs., my hair is growing healthier, and my overall life experience has improved! I am so thankful for her! She has a soft and kind disposition that makes it so easy to talk to her, but she has great confidence and knowledge in order to help you. I recommend Dr. Ash without hesitation!
Summer B:
YOU MUST GO SEE DR. ASH RIGHT NOW!
Long story short. I was feeling fatigued all the time along with joint pain, hair loss, weight gain, cold hands and feet, etc. I thought it could be perimenopause since I am at that age (enter eye roll here) when your body starts to betray you! I went to a number of conventional doctors over the years who tested me for everything under the sun and on paper I seemed to be “healthy”. I was exhausted advocating for myself and begging these doctors to believe me when I was telling them something isn’t right. I had a couple people suggest I see a Naturopathic practitioner. I spent a while researching a number of doctors until I came across Dr. Ash. I contacted her practice and met a very lovely person named Sylvia over the phone. She was a breath of fresh air and very easy to talk with. She helped me set up a complimentary call with Dr. Ash to discuss what was happening with me to make sure this was a route we both felt good to move forward with. WOW! Best decision I ever made! I got off that phone call feeling heard and cared about. Dr Ash was warm, kind, extremely informative, intelligent and took her time with me. I felt very confident moving forward. Needless to say, I made an appointment and we got the ball rolling.
5 months later I am happy to report that I feel better than I have in years! Dr. Ash doesn’t look at you as simply numbers on a piece of paper, she looks at you as a whole, she looks at the entire person, she listens and hears you. I still go to conventional doctors and have actually found a really great one finally, but I will continue my care with Dr. Ash because I know she will continue to guide me through this next stage of my life with kind and intelligent healthcare. Thank you, Dr. Ash and Sylvia, for helping me get well!
Overall, the majority of our patients feel noticeable results and improvements after just 4-6 weeks, but full results may take up to 6 months. Just think about how amazing it would be to start feeling like yourself again in such a short time! Great health is priceless!!