Women’s health issues like post-partum depression, endometriosis and the myriad symptoms associated with menopause and perimenopause are directly correlated to hormones being out of balance in the body. For years, the go-to treatment option, especially for symptoms of menopause, was Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).
In the late 90s after numerous studies suggested a link between traditional HRT and various cancers, many women and their health care providers started looking for different options. For many, the answer lay in the age old tradition of compounding. Instead of taking estrogen made from pregnant mare’s urine mixed with other chemical compounds, women now have the option of using natural hormones taken from plant sources. While patented formulas mass produced by drug companies are still available, “bio-identical” estrogen and progesterone derived from yams and other plants can now be compounded on a custom basis. Instead of a “one size fits all” approach to the compound, women can have the ratio of estrogen and progesterone balanced to fit their individual needs.
Brad Livingstone is a Registered Pharmacist and operates Randy’s Compounding Pharmacy, located in Ralph’s Thriftway in Olympia. Trained in traditional pharmacology, Livingstone has chosen to specialize in compounding. “What drew me in is that it it’s more of a problem solving specialty. It’s a combination of art and science with fewer time restrictions. We don’t involve insurance companies in our day-to-day operations; we don’t let them decide how much time we can spend with a person. That allows us to really get down to the root of the problem and then help formulate a customized treatment plan.”
One of the real benefits he sees to using plant-based hormones is that their molecular structure is identical to the hormones human beings produce. “The term bio-identical, in and of itself, implies that it’s identical to what your body produces, and that is the case. It’s 100% matched to what your body produces naturally. Unfortunately, in the pharmaceutical world, there are a few choices that are okay and several choices that are very bad. Virtually all the studies that have been done on estrogens and the problems caused by estrogen and progesterone are from this certain group of medications that were used for a very long time and were ‘chemicalized’ essentially. They started with natural products and added chemicals for the sake of gaining a patent so they could make (money) off the drugs,” explains Livingstone.
Most women who come to his compounding pharmacy “just want a more targeted and natural way of helping them cope better through some of life’s rough spots,” says Livingstone. Many come with a prescription already written by their health care providers. Others come in on their own for a consultation. “There are also a number of doctors who are familiar enough with (BHRT) but would rather send (patients) here initially to receive a consultation. We then send our recommendations back to their physician.” Others seeking help “don’t have a doctor and they come in seeking a consultation because they just feel terrible, have heard of our services, and are looking for information and options. My job is to listen, guide and facilitate a treatment plan tailored to their needs. When appropriate, we then put them in touch with a prescriber who can help them further.”
In most cases, Livingstone insists that a physician must be involved at some point. “Progesterone is available over the counter in a 2% cream, and that may be all that’s required for some people,” he says. The majority, though, will require partnering with a physician who can prescribe the necessary combinations.
One of the first steps to getting the right treatment plan is to have a blood and/or a saliva test done to determine current hormone status. During an initial consultation most women just want to know what’s going on with the symptoms they’ve been experiencing. Measuring the amount of circulating progesterone and estradiol can help target the problem more quickly
“In general, it’s not a finite ‘one appointment’ type of deal; it’s a process,” says Livingstone. “It’s a journey, so you are constantly changing something. Your body never stays the same, so you’re always going to be changing something a little bit and that’s where compounding can help. . We don’t make the assumption that one or two formulas are good for everybody.”
In addition to helping women negotiate menopause, Livingstone can also help women who are suffering from post-partum depression.
“A lot of new moms don’t recognize it and don’t seek help for it,” he says. “It’s normal. There’s a very good reason you have post-partum depression and it is directly related to the progesterone you’ve produced for months now having dramatically dropped off.” Progesterone is a “feel good” hormone and is produced in mass quantity while a woman is pregnant. It all goes away abruptly once she’s given birth, and depression is a natural occurrence. Bio-identical progesterone can help alleviate the depression that can then be phased out as the body begins to come back into balance naturally.
Women suffering from endometriosis can also benefit from using a compounding pharmacy. Endometriosis is caused by estrogen dominance that can sometimes be brought into balance using bio-identicals and specific supplements. “We can help with endometriosis in a natural way,” says Livingstone.
Randy’s Compounding Pharmacy offers free consultations, helping women with symptoms of menopause and perimenopause including:
- Hot flashes
- Depression
- Mood instability
- Loss of libido
- Skin and Vaginal dryness and atrophy
- Chronic vaginal and bladder infections
They can also help with (among many other hormone-related disease states)
- Post- partum depression
- Endometriosis
You can find Randy’s Compounding Pharmacy inside Ralph’s Thriftway or on their website.
1908 4th Avenue East
Olympia, WA 98506
360.491.0607
Open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
