Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormones run more of your day than most people realize — energy, mood, sleep, libido, body composition, mental clarity, and how you recover from stress. When estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone drift outside the range your body needs, the symptoms accumulate quietly. Fatigue you can’t explain. Sleep that doesn’t restore. Weight that won’t move. Brain fog. Loss of libido. Irritability that surprises you.
Franco Aesthetics offers Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) for both women and men — a personalized, lab-driven approach that restores hormone levels using molecules structurally identical to what your body produces naturally. We don’t use synthetic hormones. We don’t use one-size-fits-all dosing. Every plan starts with full lab panels and gets adjusted to your specific results.
Performed exclusively by Heather Franco, APRN, FNP-C — Franco Aesthetics’ owner and lead provider. Hormone optimization is a relationship, not a single visit. Heather oversees every patient’s plan personally, including labs, dose adjustments, and any concerns that come up between visits.
Personalized to Your Body’s Needs
Unlike one-size-fits-all synthetic hormones, bioidentical hormones are custom-compounded to match your body’s exact hormonal needs. Because they’re molecularly identical to the hormones naturally produced by your body, they allow for a more tailored and effective approach to treating hormone imbalance. This ensures better results and a more natural hormone response for both men and women.
Naturally Better Tolerated
Bioidentical hormones are often better absorbed and processed by your body than synthetic alternatives. This structural similarity can lead to fewer unwanted side effects, making the therapy more comfortable and consistent over time. Many patients find that BHRT feels more natural and gentle, especially when guided by ongoing lab testing and provider support.
Long-Term Wellness Support
Beyond symptom relief, bioidentical hormone therapy may offer added protection for your long-term health. It can help support bone density, cardiovascular health, skin elasticity, cognitive function, and metabolic balance. When combined with regular lab monitoring and a wellness-focused lifestyle, BHRT becomes a powerful tool for healthy aging and preventive care.
What is Bioidentical?
“Bioidentical” means the hormone molecule is structurally identical to what your body produces — typically derived from plant sources (yams, soy) and processed in a compounding pharmacy. Synthetic hormones (Premarin, Provera, conjugated estrogens) are NOT bioidentical — they have a slightly different molecular structure that can affect how they bind to receptors and how the body metabolizes them.
Bioidentical isn’t a buzzword on a label. It’s a specific molecular match — estradiol, estriol, progesterone, testosterone — exactly as the body recognizes them.
For women: common bioidentical protocols include estradiol (the dominant estrogen), progesterone, and often a low dose of testosterone. Symptoms BHRT typically helps: hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disruption, vaginal dryness, low libido, fatigue, mood swings, and brain fog associated with perimenopause and menopause.
For men: testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is the primary protocol. Symptoms TRT typically helps: low energy, reduced muscle mass, decreased libido, weight gain especially around the midsection, mood changes, and sleep disruption.
When weight is the primary concern, hormone optimization often pairs with our medical weight loss program — correcting the hormonal baseline first makes GLP-1 therapy work better.
Delivery options: we offer topical creams, weekly or twice-weekly injections, and pellet therapy (subdermal pellets that release hormone steadily for 3–4 months). The right delivery depends on your hormones, schedule, and preference. Heather walks through each option during your consultation.
Some patients also layer peptide therapy on top of BHRT for recovery, sleep, and skin — Heather manages both protocols, so nothing gets prescribed in isolation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does BHRT treat?
For women: hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disruption, vaginal dryness, low libido, brain fog, mood swings, and weight gain associated with perimenopause and menopause. For men: low energy, decreased libido, reduced muscle mass, weight gain (especially abdominal), mood changes, and sleep issues associated with low testosterone.
What is the difference between BHRT and traditional HRT?
Bioidentical hormones (estradiol, progesterone, testosterone) are molecularly identical to what your body makes naturally. Synthetic HRT (Premarin, Provera) uses hormones with slightly different structure. Bioidentical formulations can be customized to your specific lab results, while traditional HRT comes in fixed-dose pills.
How is the right dose determined?
Full lab panel at baseline — total and free testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, thyroid panel, vitamin D, and metabolic markers. Heather reviews your symptoms alongside the labs and starts at a conservative dose. We re-check labs at 8–12 weeks and adjust based on both numbers and how you feel.
What delivery method should I use?
Three main options: topical creams (daily, easy to adjust, lower commitment), injections (weekly or twice-weekly, predictable levels, requires self-injection), and pellets (subdermal, lasts 3–4 months, no daily dose to remember). Best fit depends on your hormones, schedule, and preference. Heather walks through trade-offs during consultation.
When will I feel a difference?
Most patients notice changes in energy and sleep within 2–4 weeks. Mood and mental clarity often follow at 4–8 weeks. Body composition changes, sexual function improvements, and full symptom relief usually take 8–12 weeks at the right dose. Pellets often work faster because of the steady-state delivery.
Is BHRT safe?
When properly prescribed and monitored, BHRT has a strong safety record. Risks vary by individual — personal and family history of breast or prostate cancer, blood clots, liver disease, and untreated cardiovascular disease are key screening factors. We screen carefully at intake and monitor with regular labs. As with any medication, side effects and risks are real and worth discussing in detail.
How often will I need to come in?
Initial consultation, baseline labs, and starting dose. First follow-up at 6–8 weeks for labs and dose adjustment. Then every 3–6 months for ongoing monitoring once you’re stable. Pellet patients return for re-pelleting every 3–4 months.
Will my insurance cover this?
BHRT is generally not covered by insurance because compounded bioidentical preparations are typically not FDA-approved (the molecules are FDA-approved, but the compounded preparations are not). Pricing is transparent and discussed at consultation. VIP members get 15% off — see the Membership page.
TESTIMONIALS
Hear from our patients why Franco Aesthetics works for them and how we could work for you
Ready to feel like yourself again?
Book a consult with Heather — we’ll review symptoms, run a full lab panel, and design a hormone plan tailored to your numbers.
VIP members get 15% off all services. Details on the Membership page.
