FAQs

Many physicians already prescribe B-HRT. If your own physician is unfamiliar, we are happy to support your physician by providing written information, prescribing guidelines, and recommend formulations. Alternatively, contact us for a recommendation of a physician in your area.

Whilst it is possible to mix synthetic and BHRT we do not recommend this.

You must take your troche 6 to 8 hours before your blood test. Some doctors like to work with levels other than baseline, but a 6-8hr gap is the norm. Hormone levels ‘peak’ at different times of the month but also at different times of the day. It is important that where possible, blood samples be taken at around the same time so a valid comparison can be made.

The cost of BHRT or any of our formulas will vary depending on the quantity of hormones prescribed. They are on private prescription without NHS entitlements. Some health funds do reimburse. An average BHRT prescription would be around $80.00 which may last one to two months. Prescribed medications count towards your Tax Deductible Health Costs Threshold. Check with your accountant.

If you click here you can read our step-by-step “Guide to ordering”.

Back in the 1800s medical lozenges were extensively used to treat mouth and throat infections. These were small mildly medicated solid masses intended to dissolve in the mouth. In England they were called a lozenge, in the USA a troche, in France a tablette, and in Germany a pastillen. Troches first appeared in the Edinburgh Pharmacopoeia in 1841 and in the British Pharmacopoeia in 1864 – the same book in the standard of today’s pharmacists.The troche provides a means to deliver custom-made medication in small doses directly into the blood stream. Today many drugs, both natural and synthetic, can be used in a troche form to gain rapid onset of action and bypass the usual absorption into the blood stream, thus bypassing the liver. This reduces the load upon the liver and is especially good for liver toxic drugs.

When hormonal treatments and bio-identical hormones are taken by capsule or tablet they are dissolved in the stomach and subjected to liver metabolism, hence lower levels circulate in the body. Troches providing transbuccal absorption, do not go through the gastrointestinal tract.

We find that troches are well suited to hormone replacement therapy mainly because of the ease in which ingredients in each prescription can be altered and because of the absorption route. Being in the form of a ‘Lozenge’ that dissolve in the mouth, troches can be flavoured to your liking.

Troches should be kept out of direct sunlight, in a cool dark place. In extreme heat conditions it is advisable to store them in the fridge. If a troche becomes tacky or slightly sticky it is still okay.

I suffer from headaches and migraines, is this hormone related?

Headaches and migraines, may be related to hormones. PMT-related headaches are usually caused by a lack of progesterone.

There is a lot of information throughout our website and some links that will provide further information. Alternatively, phone our office during business hours on (02) 9387 3205.

This depends on the condition being treated. BHRT is used to treat:

• PMS
• Dysmenorrhoea
• Menopause
• Andropause

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is the recurrence of the symptoms before menstruation with complete absence of symptoms after menstruation. These symptoms are not present for more than fourteen days prior to menstruation and they are noted for a minimum of two cycles. The complete absence of symptoms after menstruation is at least seven days. It is this absence of symptoms after menstruation that makes the diagnosis of PMS complete.

The symptoms of PMS also vary enormously; it may be depression that lasts fourteen days, migraines that last a day or two, abdominal bloating, sensitive breasts or sugar cravings. Symptoms are always at their worst immediately prior to menstruation as this is the time when progesterone is most required. If however symptoms do appear after menstruation, this is menstrual magnification and is treatable, but using a different protocol. As there are many symptoms, both physical and psychological, PMS is treated in many and varied ways – from aspirin to antidepressants.

With the advent of molecular microbiology and the discovery of progesterone receptors, a whole new protocol for the treatment of PMS has evolved. With this advanced medical knowledge and the acceptance of these receptors, treatment should be aimed at ensuring their maximum function. A three pronged attack is required – stress, if present must be relieved, the blood sugar level must be maintained, and finally the appropriate progesterone therapy must be applied.

Anti-ageing/longevity medicine is the science of youthful ageing. By reducing oxidative stress through better lifestyle choices (diet, exercise, stress) we can slow down the aging clock. BHRT is thought to have a role in this.

Clinical trials on our BHRT were completed at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney, by Prof. Barry Wren. The results were published in the journal Climateric 2003;6:104-111. We have thousands of men and women Australia wide using our hormone replacement with great success.

I am a GP interested to learn more about prescribing.

You may also telephone Richard Stenlake on 02 9387 3205 to discuss any unanswered questions or to schedule an appointment to meet personally and have the option to view our facilities.

Your doctor may have written a number of repeats (refills) on your prescription. You can order these via telephone, fax and/or email. Once a prescription is used up, or expires, another prescription is required. PLEASE NOTE that it is ILLEGAL for us to dispense any medication which requires a prescription unless we have that prescription physically on the premises. If any changes are to be made to a prescription we must be advised by the doctor personally or receive an amended prescription.

When your medication is sent out, the label will indicate how many refills you have remaining. When your label reads “No Refills” it is time to get another prescription.

All prescriptions containing Testosterone and/or DHEA have a six month expiry from the date the script was written, even if all repeats have not been used. Most other prescriptions expire one year from the written date – this refers to the prescription’s expiry not the medication’s expiry date.

Once we have your original prescription the process usually takes 2 working days to prepare the medication for you. A few capsules and creams can be compounded while you wait in about 1 hour.

We advise you order one week in advance especially during holiday periods such as Christmas and Easter etc. It is imperative that you keep a close eye on the available repeats held by us, (which is always indicated on your label) so that when you have no refills left you have enough time to obtain a new prescription.

It is usually okay, but speak with our staff as specific problems need to be looked at individually.

How long before I actually notice results when taking BHRT?

This varies with each individual. Most patients feel improvement within a few days. You can certainly expect results within a few weeks.

Many health funds provide rebates to members for these medications. We will provide you with an itemized receipt that has all the appropriate information needed by your health fund.