August 1, 2011
Once you started taking bioidentical hormones and those horrible symptoms of hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, bloating and mood swings start to disappear, you find yourself wondering: “Do I still need the hormones or is my body no longer experiencing those symptoms?”
The question is logical and makes sense. The answer is not as straight forward as you might think.
Let’s think conventional for a minute. When the doctor puts you on medications for your high blood pressure, low thyroid or diabetes, does he ever take you off them? As a reformed conventional doctor I can tell you the answer. It is a plain and simple, NO. No medication for chronic conditions is meant to be stopped in a conventional setting.
If anything, you are bound to be placed on an ever increasing numbers of medications with each passing year and visit to your doctor. But that is what the system is about. Increased numbers of medications, increased revenues for the drug companies. Forget about what is best for you, the patient.
Now, let’s look at the same issue from the prism of the patient advocate, the doctor who is there to help you, make you better, not just push medications. The patient advocate perspective will always question the need for continuous use of any type of medication, bioidentical and naturals included., Over the past 10 years that I have been working with bioidentical hormones I have found myself quite often in a position to question when if ever I would recommend to my patients to stop the use of the hormones. After much research and evaluation of the patients I care for I have come to the conclusion that while everybody is different and the best care is totally individualized, there are basic rules that apply to every patient.
Here are the general principles that should guide you when thinking of stopping or even starting the use of bioidentical hormones.
1.As long as you are alive you can change your mind and stop or start them again.
2.If you are not 100% sure you believe in the hormones, do not take them.
3.Do not follow anyone else’s advice. Listen to your body. Make your own decisions.
4.If you are not sure you still need the hormones, stop at the end of the month.
5.Give yourself a break from the hormones if you are taking them on a continuous basis. Make sure you skip a few days every couple of months.
6.If you stop taking them see how you feel. Watch for any sign of recurrence of the symptoms that required you to use the bioidenticals to begin with.
7.While it is true that estrogen will increase bone density over time, measurement of bone density is not a good guideline for the use of the hormones. Use short term criteria that can be easily measured by you: hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, mood swings, weight gain, migraines, palpitations, etc.
8.Change doses and see how you feel. Since the human body changes all the time, I never understood how you can be prescribed the same dose of any medication on a continuous basis. Use the bioidentical hormones to keep your body balanced and synchronized.
9.Everyone is different and all we have is one day at a time. Some of us may need the hormones forever, while others may stop after a few months or years. Trial and error is the way to figure out what is the best formula for you.
Erika Schwartz, M.D.
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Since 1989, Hotze Health & Wellness Center has helped over 33,000 patients get their lives back using bioidentical hormones that restore hormones to optimal levels, strengthen immune systems, and increase energy levels. Our treatment regimen addresses the root cause of hypothyroidism, adrenal fatigue, menopause, perimenopause, low testosterone, allergies, and candida.
Led by best-selling author, radio host and leading natural health expert, Steven F. Hotze, M.D., our medical team has over 100 years’ combined medical experience backed by a staff of nearly 100 caring professionals who provide an environment of hope and extraordinary hospitality for each of our patients, who we call our guests. It is our deepest desire to help you obtain and maintain health and wellness naturally so that you may enjoy a better quality of life, pure and simple.
Do you want to live a healthy, happy, purpose-driven life? Do you want to restore your health so that your loss of energy, weight gain, joint pain, depression and lack of drive or motivation won’t hold you back from achieving your personal and professional goals?
Dr. Steven Hotze wants that for you, too. In fact, in his powerful and passionate video entitled, “What I Believe”, Dr. Hotze shares how his Christian worldview and pivotal experiences have ignited a deep desire to offer the message of hope and optimal health to all who need to hear it.
At Hotze Health & Wellness Center, our doctors are changing the way women and men are treated through the use of bioidentical hormones. Our natural treatments have helped over 33,000 individuals with hypothyroidism, adrenal fatigue, menopause, perimenopause, low testosterone, allergies, candida, detoxification and nutritional deficiencies.
Meet our doctors"I went from feeling tired and foggy to to getting my energy and vitality back!”
Pam White2023-03-10At Hotze Health and Wellness YOU can truly find restoration of your health and vibrant life! You will find the most caring and effective healthcare available! Don't hesitate call them today!!!Ron Guidry2023-03-08Doctors are not the final authority in our journey of achieving/maintaining health and wellness but having a good team of doctors in your support and guidance community is not only helpful it is wise and also essential. The team and staff at Hotze Health and Wellness are health professionals that you can trust to help you navigate all the misinformation that may be keeping you separated from your optimal level of health.Caral Reeves2023-01-17Hotze Beauty is a first class facility! Extreme level of professionalism , knowledge & genuine care❤️🩹Julie Hryszko2023-01-12I’ve been a guest at this facility for 15 years. They are the most efficient, thorough and caring group of individuals I’ve ever experienced. Dr Hotze looks to change the way a typical doctor treats patients and looks for root causes to eliminate medical issues instead of treating “symptoms”. My life has improved 100% since my initial visit. The cost of the treatments are worth it.Shavon Sisson2023-01-11Always a great experience dealing with everyone at Hotze Heath and Wellness! Everyone is kind and helpful.Kori Misson2022-12-21I cannot accurately describe in words how I feel about this practice and the entire staff. I have had quite a few health issues throughout the years, rheumatoid arthritis, sjogrens, weight gain, hair loss, irritability, and that is just the beginning. I had pretty much given up on feeling good, just decided to "live with it" and hope for the best. Two very close friends love the Hotze Wellness Clinic and they have experienced life changing health. Made my appointment and from the beginning I felt heard. Not a in and out fast food style practice. They are looked and are looking at my entire body for overall health and wellness. Connections from mind and body to clinical blood work, even dental questions....they care and I feel as if I can trust them. I am on a path to complete wellness and my goal is to have my RA back in remission as it once was....make yourself a priority. Having hope is an incredible feeling!
Holistic, functional medicine doctors in Houston, Texas specializing in bioidentical hormones, hypothyroidism, adrenal fatigue, menopause, perimenopause, low testosterone, allergies and LDI treatment, candida, detoxification, nutritional deficiencies, longevity and aesthetics.
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