We understand that you have several questions about bioidentical hormone replacement and med spa services, so we have gathered together some of our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to help you. Christy Wilcox PA-C offers advanced therapies for men and women in Yukon, Mustang, Oklahoma City, and many surrounding communities.  We offer a range of women’s and men’s health services, such as hormone replacement therapy. nutritional counseling, exercise programs, weightloss, and intimate rejuvenation.

1. How Do Hormones Influence My Health and Well-Being?

Before you reach your 30s, your body is able to maintain a healthy balance of hormones. As you age and experience certain life stages, these delicate balances are thrown out of sync. Some hormone levels rise and counteract the health benefits of other hormones. In women, estrogen levels may rise and fall, causing a range of unusual symptoms. For men, this same dynamic occurs when testosterone levels fluctuate. You also have other hormones, such as those produced by the thyroid, adrenal, and pituitary glands of the endocrine system, that can function at unhealthy levels, affecting your heart rate, hair, nails, metabolism, and other functions.

2. How Long Does It Take for Hormone Replacement Therapy to Work?

We advise our patients to expect results in about six weeks or longer. Your body needs time to adjust to the healthier hormone levels. You may have some new symptoms during this time, and this is a normal indication that your body is rebalancing the levels of all hormones.

3. What Are Bioidentical Hormones?

The medical community uses two types of hormones replacement therapies – synthetic and bioidentical. Synthetic hormones are developed in lab environments, and bioidentical hormones are derived from plant and animal sources. The advantage of bioidentical hormones is that they match human hormones more closely that synthetic hormones. This reduces the risk of side effects and failed therapy.

4. Do Men Need Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Men’s and women’s bodies change similarly with age. The hormones in a man’s body fluctuates over the course of his lifetime, but medical professionals have not recognized the effects of these changes until recently. Hormone imbalances in men can cause chronic health issues, erectile dysfunction, thinning hair, belly fat, and many other male-specific concerns.

5. Can I Take Hormone Therapy with Other Medications?

Hormone therapy is safe to use, but it may interfere with some medications. Please detail your current medications and supplements with our healthcare providers during the consultation.

6. Is Lab Work Required?

Blood tests are required to assess your hormone levels, so we will require lab tests as part of your treatment plan development.

7. What does Family First do?

Integrated with fitness and nutrition programs, Progressive Health and Rejuvenation offers physician-guided hormonal optimization for men and women suffering from hormone imbalance.

8. Who needs hormone replacement therapy (HRT)?

Almost all of us over the age of 30 begin to experience some form of hormone imbalance. Over our lifetime, we are exposed to environmental and dietary toxins, which contribute to the natural decline of hormones as we age. In order to balance your hormones for optimal health and wellness, it is critical that you complete comprehensive lab testing and an in-depth initial questionnaire, and that you be evaluated by a highly trained healthcare provider prior to receiving a personalized treatment plan.

9. Do I have to treat all hormones?

Hormones can be treated separately or in combination. However, we emphasize that hormone therapy is about having balanced hormones – better results are obtained by taking the proper amount of a combination of hormones, depending upon what your lab results show as well as your symptoms. All of your hormones will function better if they’re all present at healthy levels.

10. How much of any given hormone will I take?

Christy Wilcox PA-C prescribes the approximate amount needed to optimize your levels. Our providers utilize a combination of lab testing and feedback from you regarding how you’re feeling to fine-tune exactly the right dosages.

11. Is hormone therapy safe?

Yes. Countless studies have shown not only the safety of hormone therapy, but also the long-term health benefits. This assumes that treatment is done properly, and monitored on a regular basis. We only do things safely and correctly.

12. When should I expect results from hormone therapy?

We monitor you every step of the way. Typically, you should start to notice results within 4 to 6 weeks.

13. Are there any side effects associated with your therapies?

When hormones and other treatments are administered correctly, there should be no side effects. We encourage you to reach out to us to discuss any questions or concerns during the course of your treatment.

14. What does bioidentical mean?

Bioidentical means that molecularly, the hormone that you’re replacing is exactly the same as what your body produces naturally. Unlike bioidentical hormones, the molecules of synthetic hormones are slightly different.

There are hormone receptors all over your body. Think of these receptors like they’re locks, and hormone molecules like they’re the keys. The synthetic molecules don’t fit into those locks quite right, which means they don’t work the same way in your body – often with detrimental consequences. You may be wondering … why do pharmaceutical companies make synthetic hormones with molecules that are slightly different? Because it’s the only way they can patent them. Bioidentical hormones cannot be patented.

15. Will hormone therapy interfere with my present medications?

Hormones are not drugs. Therefore, It is unlikely that they will react with other medications. In fact, some medications may no longer be needed. For example, research has shown that many people no longer need antidepressants and sleep aids once their hormones are restored to healthy levels. Specific concerns should be discussed with Christy Wilcox PA-C.

At your checkup, you will be given a list of what you should look out for. Our main priority is to have a healthcare provider and lab available to ensure not only the success of your program but your overall well-being, too.

16. Where and how do I get my lab testing done?

We work with two of the largest lab companies in the country. We will arrange your testing at a location that is convenient for you. We also welcome you to visit our office for your consultation and lab work.

17. Will it help Men? What is testosterone?

Testosterone, a hormone naturally produced by the body, is responsible for the normal growth and development of the male sex organs and for the maintenance of other sexual characteristics. In men, testosterone is produced in the testes, the reproductive glands that also produce sperm. The amount of testosterone produced by the testes is regulated by the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland.

Some effects of testosterone may include:

• Growth and maturation of the prostate and other male sex organs
• Development of male hair distribution such as facial hair
• Changes in body muscle mass and strength and fat distribution
• Sex drive and sexual function
• Mood and energy level
• Bone strength

18. What are the benefits of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT)?

Benefits of testosterone replacement therapy vary based upon the pre-therapy symptoms and other factors, but can include:

• Increased energy
• Decreased irritability and depression
• Improved muscle mass and strength
• Improved sexual desire
• Improved visuospatial cognitive function and verbal memory
• Higher motivation
• Decreased body fat (optimal results received through accompaniment of a diligent diet and exercise regimen)
• Possible improvement in erectile function

19. Can testosterone therapy causes the testicles to shrink?

Regrettably, some people receive testosterone therapy without the adjunct benefits of medication to keep the testes working. Our program introduces medicines to help maintain testes size and normal function.

20. Does testosterone therapy cause prostate problems?

Initial lab studies check for markers for prostate health (PSA). The history and physical exam will contribute to your general assessment. Studies have shown that testosterone therapy does not provoke cancer of the prostate. In fact, elevated estrogen levels are now seen in cases of prostate enlargement. Our estrogen-reducing medicines may even help with prostate enlargement. Unfortunately, men with a history of prostate cancer should not receive TRT. Careful surveillance via lab studies and routine exams should ensure the safety of testosterone replacement therapy in men.

21. What are “normal levels” of testosterone?

In healthy men, testosterone levels between 350 ng/dL and 1,000 ng/dL are referred to as normal. Normal physiology allows the brain and the testes to work together to keep testosterone in this range.

22. How do you determine that I might have a hormonal imbalance?

To determine hormone levels, our medical professionals will perform an in-depth blood panel that indicates your individual hormone levels.

23. How did my levels get low in the first place?

Low hormones can occur as a result of many different factors. Hormone levels normally decline as men and women age. During puberty and early adulthood, hormone levels are at a lifetime peak. These levels begin to decline about the age of 25 – 30 years old.

Certain pre-existing medical and environmental conditions can also cause low hormone levels:

• Diabetes: men with diabetes are up to twice as likely as non-diabetics to have low testosterone levels
• Obesity: obese men are twice as likely to develop low testosterone levels
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Chronic high stress such as that experienced by workers in medical, law enforcement, public safety and military careers
• Fatigue and erratic sleep schedules, like those experienced by men working in medical, law enforcement, public safety and military jobs

24. In what cases should I avoid hormone replacement therapy?

Only your specialist can fully answer this question. However, in general, testosterone replacement therapy is not recommended and/or is prohibited for patients with:

• Breast or prostate cancer
• A palpable prostate nodule
• Erythrocytosis
• Hyperviscosity
• Untreated obstructive sleep apnea
• Severe benign prostatic hyperplasia symptoms (AUA prostate symptom score > 19)
• Uncontrolled severe heart failure
• Unexplained PSA elevation
• Severe lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hypertrophy
• Unstable severe congestive heart failure (class III or IV)

25. What is estrogen?

Estrogen or oestrogen is the primary female sex hormone as well as a medication. It is responsible for the development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics. Estrogen is actually more than one hormone. It’s a class of hormones, with three estrogens being most active: estrone, estradiol, and estriol.

Benefits of estrogen can include:

• Decreasing “bad cholesterol” (LDL) and increasing “good cholesterol” (HDL)
• Protecting your arteries by keeping them open and flexible
• Lowering your risk of a heart attack
• Protecting your brain and your memory, and reducing the incidence of dementia and Alzheimer’s
• Increasing your ability to concentrate
• Promoting the production of collagen, which helps your skin to maintain its elasticity
• Helping your skin retain moisture and minimizing wrinkles
• Preventing osteoporosis
• Increasing your metabolism and reducing your appetite, which helps to prevent weight gain
• Preventing colon cancer
• Reducing insulin sensitivity and making your blood sugar more stable

26. What is Pellet Therapy?

Hormone pellets are small “pills” that are made from bioidentical hormones and are manufactured to be time-released. They are about the size of a grain of rice. These pellets are inserted under the skin in the fatty tissue of the buttock. When it comes to bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) pellets, the method of pellet therapy is the preferred choice among physicians. When a patient decides to start pellet therapy, they may receive as few as two subcutaneous pellet insertions per year—and any needed hormone will be readily available when the body requires it. The BHRT pellets that providers use may allow for the natural administration of the necessary hormones.

27. What Happens During the In-Office Insertion?

If you have questions that are not covered in our FAQs, please let us know.