Hormone Therapy
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)
Hormone Therapy
Our GMC-registered doctors specialise in hormones, functional medicine and preventative medicine. This specific medical approach allows us to provide you with a more complete assessment of your hormones and overall health.
Hormonal changes can affect women at many stages of life, from the reproductive years right through to perimenopause and menopause.
Where medically appropriate, we provide women with BHRT to support with:
We are different to a gynaecology-only or an endocrinology-only practice because
we combine the two approaches
we combine the two approaches
whilst also incorporating specialist bioidentical hormone care, functional medicine and preventative healthcare.
Dr Harpal Bains
MBBS, DFSRH, PGCAestMed (Dist)
Hormone levels in men may change over time due to ageing, stress and sleep issues, this can include shifts in prominent areas such as testosterone and cortisol.
We provide men with BHRT to support with:
We are seeing men in their 40s presenting with symptoms of
low testosterone
low testosterone
that we’d expect to see in their 60s
Dr Jay Bowden
BMedSci, BMBS, MRCGP, AFMCP, NCIM, IHDip, DRCOG, DFSRH
There is often confusion around the terms bioidentical and body-identical hormone therapy.
Both refer to hormones that are molecularly identical to those naturally produced by the body. Because they match the body’s own hormones, they interact with hormone receptors in the same way as naturally occurring hormones. The key difference lies in how they are manufactured, formulated and prescribed.
At Harpal Clinic, we offer both types of hormone therapy, prescribing them based on clinical suitability, patient preference and cost considerations.
Treatment with BHRT begins with a thorough clinical assessment. Your doctor will review your medical history, symptoms, existing diagnoses, and any previous test results to build a clear picture of your hormone and overall health.
Laboratory testing forms a core part of our assessment and data gathering process, helping us better understand your hormone profile and help us identify what may be driving your symptoms.
Once your test results are back to us, your doctor will review them alongside the information gathered in your consultation to complete a report and treatment plan for you.
At Harpal Clinic, bioidentical hormone therapy is just one aspect of your treatment plan. Our integrated approach allows us to factor in and address the wider biological systems that influence hormone balance.
We often also incorporate support around:
Bioidentical hormones are regulated differently than standardised HRT medicines.
Standard HRT products are medicines that are manufactured in fixed doses. Compounded bioidentical hormones are individualised medicines prepared for a specific patient when standard licensed products do not meet their clinical needs. For example:
In the UK bioidentical hormones are supplied under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 “Specials” framework, which allows doctors to prescribe unlicensed medicines when:
These medicines are produced by specialist compounding pharmacies operating within strict regulatory frameworks.
Our UK compounding pharmacy is:
Compounding allows treatment to be tailored to the patient, this includes personalised dosing and formulations that may not be available in standardised HRT products.
Having this approach to hormones enables clinicians to prescribe care that is individualised and carefully matched to a patient’s clinical needs, while still being produced within regulated pharmaceutical standards.
Yes. As with all medications, when prescribed and monitored by an experienced doctor, hormone therapy can be a safe and effective treatment.
At Harpal Clinic:
As with all medical treatments, hormone therapy must be prescribed responsibly and reviewed regularly to ensure it continues to be appropriate for the patient.
Bioidentical hormones and body-identical hormones both contain hormones that are molecularly identical to those naturally produced by the body. The main difference lies in how they are manufactured and prescribed.
At Harpal Clinic, we prescribe both bioidentical and body-identical hormones, selecting the most appropriate option based on clinical suitability and your individual preferences.
Bioidentical hormones are prepared by specialist compounding pharmacies and can be formulated in personalised doses and delivery methods, based on your symptoms, physiology and test results. Many bioidentical hormones are derived from plant sources, and can be compounded and delivered in simple formulations, often consisting of just the hormone suspended in a carrier such as olive oil. They can be delivered in a range of formulations including capsules, tablets, creams, gels, topical preparations, lozenges, and injectables, depending on the type of hormone and what is most appropriate for you.
Body-identical hormones are manufactured by pharmaceutical companies and supplied as medicines in standardised doses and formulations. We prescribe body-identical hormones where appropriate and offer them alongside bioidentical options, depending on clinical suitability and your preference.
Conventional HRT usually consists of hormones manufactured in fixed doses. These may contain synthetic hormones, which also differ structurally from the body’s own hormones. Your GP may also offer you body-identical hormones (as described above), which match the body’s hormones, but are only supplied in standardised formulations.
Yes. Blood testing is performed before starting BHRT.
These tests allow us to assess hormone levels and evaluate other key markers that may influence treatment decisions. Understanding your hormone test results helps ensure therapy is safe and appropriately tailored.
For patients who cannot attend the clinic, we can arrange a blood test kit to be sent to your home address. Blood testing can also be complemented with more advanced hormone testing (e.g., DUTCH testing) where appropriate.
Yes. We have many patients completing their treatment remotely.
We are able to arrange:
If you choose an online consultation, we can send a home test kit so you can arrange a blood draw locally at one of our providers (e.g., Superdrug or Goodbody). Phlebotomy is booked and paid for separately. This typically costs £20-£50, depending on provider and location.
Please note: Do not book your phlebotomy appointment until you’ve received your test kit.
