FREE COMMUNITY TALK · FOR MEN & WOMEN · THU, OCT 22 · 7:00 PM
Hormone Replacement Therapy: What It Is and Who It's For
With Alicia Geske, APRN. Everyone welcome. Seating is limited.
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy in Mount Prospect, IL
Personalized, compounded bioidentical hormone therapy to restore balance, relieve symptoms, and help you feel like yourself again — administered by Alicia Geske, APRN.
What Is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) uses compounded hormones that are structurally similar to those your body produces naturally. At Advanced Physical Medicine & Therapy, BHRT is administered by Alicia Geske, APRN, who takes time to understand each patient’s symptoms, health history, and goals before designing an individualized treatment plan.
Our primary delivery method is pellet therapy — small, rice-sized pellets inserted just beneath the skin that provide a steady, consistent release of hormones over 3 to 5 months — without the daily maintenance required by other delivery methods.
Is Hormone Imbalance Affecting Your Quality of Life?
Hormones regulate nearly every system in your body — energy, mood, metabolism, sleep, sexual function, and more. When levels decline or become imbalanced, the impact can be significant. BHRT may help relieve the following symptoms:
Symptoms in Women
- Fatigue and low energy
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Difficulty sleeping
- Weight gain, especially around the midsection
- Mood swings, irritability, or low mood
- Anxiousness
- Decreased sex drive
- Discomfort during intercourse
- Brain fog and difficulty concentrating
Symptoms in Men
- Fatigue and low energy
- Low sex drive
- Loss of muscle mass
- Increased body fat, especially around the waist
- Decreased bone density
- Mood changes, irritability, or low mood
- Brain fog
- Elevated blood sugar
- High cholesterol
- Anxiousness and stress
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
What to Expect at Your Visit
Step 1: Comprehensive Hormone Evaluation
Your first visit with Alicia Geske, APRN begins with an in-depth health history, symptom review, and laboratory bloodwork. Your hormone panel will measure key markers including estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid, DHEA, and cortisol levels. This gives us a complete picture of where your hormones currently stand and what your body needs.
Step 2: Your Personalized Treatment Plan
Based on your lab results and symptom profile, Alicia will design a compounded hormone protocol specific to your body. She will walk you through your options, explain your results in plain language, and answer every question before any treatment begins. There is no one-size-fits-all approach here — your plan is built around you.
Step 3: Pellet Insertion and Ongoing Optimization
Pellet therapy is a brief, in-office procedure. A small pellet — about the size of a grain of rice — is inserted just beneath the skin, typically in the hip or buttock area, under local anesthetic. The procedure takes only a few minutes. Pellets dissolve naturally over 3 to 5 months, releasing hormones steadily the entire time. Follow-up labs and adjustments ensure your levels remain optimized over time.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common Questions About Hormone Replacement Therapy
How is BHRT differnt from conventional hormone replacement therapy?
Bioidentical hormones are compounded to closely mirror the structure of hormones your body produces naturally. BHRT is also individualized for each patient based on specific lab values, rather than dispensed in standard doses.
Who is a good candidate for BHRT?
Men and women experiencing symptoms of hormone decline or imbalance are typically good candidates. This commonly includes women in perimenopause or menopause, and men experiencing andropause (age-related testosterone decline). A full hormone panel and health evaluation with Alicia Geske, APRN will determine whether BHRT is appropriate for your specific situation.
Is pellet therapy painful?
Most patients report minimal discomfort. The insertion site is numbed with a local anesthetic before the pellet is placed. The procedure takes just a few minutes, and most patients return to normal activity the same day. Some mild bruising or soreness at the insertion site is normal for a few days afterward.
How soon will I feel results?
Many patients begin noticing improvements in energy, mood, and sleep within 2 to 4 weeks of their first pellet insertion. Optimal results typically develop over 4 to 6 weeks as hormone levels stabilize. Because every patient’s starting point is different, timelines vary — Alicia will monitor your progress and adjust your protocol at follow-up visits.
Does insurance cover BHRT?
Bioidentical hormone therapy and pellet insertion are generally not covered by insurance as they are considered elective. However, the initial lab work may be covered depending on your plan. Our team will help you understand costs upfront so there are no surprises. All hormone replacement therapies are FSA/HSA eligible.
How often do I need treatment?
Pellets typically need to be replaced every 3 to 5 months, depending on your individual hormone metabolism, activity level, and how your body responds to treatment. Women generally fall in the 3 to 4 month range; men often last closer to 4 to 5 months. Your follow-up labs will guide the timing of each subsequent insertion.