Personalized BHRT in La Jolla & San Diego
You know something is off. Maybe you’re waking up drenched at 3 a.m., or your energy has flatlined despite doing everything “right.” Many women and men believe these mid-life changes are something they have no control over, but there are treatments that can help.
At AURAE MD in La Jolla, Dr. Margo Aura Emami offers bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. BHRT uses plant-derived materials to replicate the hormones your body naturally produces to help you feel more like yourself again.
With Harvard medical training, board certifications from both the American Board of Anesthesiology and the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, and more than 30 years of hands-on clinical experience, she has a diverse background that allows her to practice with a holistic, integrative philosophy.
What Is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) uses hormones that are structurally identical to the ones your body produces naturally. They’re derived from plant-based sources, then compounded to match human hormones like estradiol, progesterone, testosterone and DHEA.
BHRT is different from synthetic hormones. Traditional hormone therapy uses hormones that have altered molecular structures. Their chemical makeup doesn’t mirror what your body produces and is naturally programmed to respond to.
BHRT is used to address hormonal decline associated with menopause, perimenopause, andropause (yes, men experience hormonal shifts too) and other conditions that disrupt the body’s natural hormone balance. Roughly 1.3 million women reach menopause each year in the United States alone, and more than 80% of them will deal with disruptive symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, sleep problems and mood changes.
BHRT is a way to restore balance to your body’s internal systems and reduce the symptoms that disrupt your quality of life.
What Are Signs You May Benefit From BHRT?
Hormonal imbalance doesn’t necessarily announce itself with a single, obvious symptom. For many people, it creeps in as a little less sleep here, a few extra pounds there, and other changes that don’t draw attention. Many patients come to AURAE MD after months or even years of thinking their symptoms are unrelated to one another or “just part of getting older” they have to tolerate.
Here are some of the most common indicators that your hormones may need attention:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Mood swings
- Irritability
- Vaginal dryness
- Low libido
- Disrupted sleep
- Brain fog
- Unexplained weight gain (especially around the midsection)
- Persistent fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest
- Loss of lean muscle mass
- Declining bone density
If any of this sounds familiar, a conversation with Dr. Emami is a good starting point. She can determine whether hormonal imbalance is the root cause behind what you’re experiencing.
What Does BHRT Involve at AURAE MD?
There’s no standard-issue hormone protocol at AURAE MD. Dr. Emami treats every patient as an individual, because that’s really the only way hormone therapy works well.
Your Initial Consultation
Your first appointment is a two-hour personalized medicine consultation with Dr. Emami. Before you arrive, you’ll complete a detailed online medical history so that Dr. Emami can review your background, any prior lab work and your current symptoms in advance. That way, the consultation focuses on you and your questions rather than paperwork.
Hormone Testing
Before prescribing anything, Dr. Emami needs a clear picture of what’s happening inside your body. Aurae MD uses advanced laboratory testing to map exactly which hormones are out of balance, by how much and how they’re interacting with one another. The testing gives Dr. Emami the detailed data she needs to build your treatment plan.
Your Personalized Hormonal Profile
Practices that rely on pre-set protocols or standardized pellet dosing are working from a template. Dr. Emami works from your data. Every patient receives a unique hormonal profile based on their test results, symptom picture, medical history and lifestyle.
Custom Compounding
Based on your hormonal profile, Dr. Emami works with a compounding pharmacy to create an individually blended formulation just for you. AURAE MD offers multiple delivery methods depending on what works best for your body and your preferences. These include creams, gels, patches, injections and vaginal inserts.
Ongoing Monitoring and Adjustments
Hormone therapy isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it treatment. About three months after starting BHRT, you’ll return for a follow-up with Dr. Emami to evaluate how you’re responding. Are your symptoms improving? How’s your energy? Any side effects? Based on your feedback and updated testing, she’ll fine-tune your protocol.
Why Choose AURAE MD for Hormone Therapy in La Jolla?
There are quite a few providers offering hormone therapy in the La Jolla and San Diego area. So why AURAE MD?
It starts with Dr. Emami’s training. She completed an internship including surgery, internal medicine, and psychiatry at Boston University’s Framingham Union Hospital, followed by entering the Harvard Teaching Hospital system for a residency in Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine, and Pain Management. She’s spent years learning how the body’s interconnected systems respond to chemical changes at the deepest physiological level.
She was accepted into an intensive combined BS/MD program at 17 years old and graduated summa cum laude with honors in biochemistry and psychiatry, two fields that are directly relevant to understanding how hormones affect the brain, mood and cellular function. She holds dual board certifications from the American Board of Anesthesiology and the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, and completed fellowships in Anti-Aging, Regenerative and Integrative Medicine, as well as Aesthetic Anti-Aging Medicine.
AURAE MD maintains a 5.0 rating on Google. Here’s a glimpse at what our patients have to say:
“Dr. Emami is talented, skilled, meticulous, kind and patient. She is the utmost professional, and truly cares about all of her clients. Definitely five out five stars!” — Tammy R.
“I can’t say enough good things about Dr. Emami and her staff. Dr. Emami is incredibly knowledgeable and she takes the time to educate her patients and provide thoughtful, personalized recommendations tailored to each patient’s specific needs.” — Karri E.
“Dr. Emami is truly a fountain of knowledge and it’s so refreshing to have your treatments administered by a physician!” — Mary M.
“Dr. Emami has completely changed my life for the better. The intelligence, knowledge, passion, love, presence, and expertise she brings to every appointment is unmatchable. I am forever grateful for her and her team, they truly care for you like family.” — Lindsey J.
Learn more about Dr. Emami and AURAE MD’s philosophy →
What Conditions and Patients Can Be Treated With BHRT?
Bioidentical hormone therapy can be beneficial for a wide range of people, conditions and symptoms, including:
- Menopause and its associated symptoms
- Perimenopause and its associated symptoms
- Andropause and its associated symptoms
- Low testosterone (low T)
- Post-hysterectomy and post-oophorectomy patients
- Stress-related hormone imbalance
- Difficulty with weight management
Combining Treatments for Enhanced Results
BHRT at AURAE MD doesn’t exist in isolation. It’s part of a broader personalized medicine approach that also includes nutrition and metabolism optimization, stress management therapies, vitamin therapies and weight management support. Hormones don’t operate in a vacuum, and neither does Dr. Emami’s care.
Weight management resistance is one of the more frustrating symptoms our patients describe. When your hormones are out of balance, your metabolism doesn’t respond to diet and exercise the way it should. For patients dealing with stubborn weight gain, Dr. Emami may combine BHRT with AURAE MD’s Get Healthy, Get Fit program for a more complete solution.
Frequently Asked Questions About BHRT
What is the difference between bioidentical hormones and synthetic hormones?
Bioidentical hormones have the same molecular structure as the hormones your body produces naturally. Synthetic hormones have a similar function but a different chemical structure. Your body’s enzyme systems and receptors are designed to interact with specific molecular shapes, so BHRT may have a higher chance of success. Bioidentical hormones are available in both FDA-approved and custom-compounded formulations.
How are hormone levels tested at Aurae MD?
Dr. Emami uses advanced laboratory analysis to measure your hormone levels before designing your treatment plan. Some types of tests can be performed at home with test kits. Blood tests may require you to visit a local laboratory such as Quest or LabCorp. Alternatively, you may prefer to work with a concierge lab service that conveniently comes to your home to perform the blood draw.
Is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy safe?
Like any medical treatment, BHRT carries some degree of risk. That said, many patients tolerate bioidentical hormones well when they’re prescribed and monitored by a qualified physician. The Endocrine Society and The Menopause Society both acknowledge that hormone therapy — whether bioidentical or conventional — can effectively manage menopausal symptoms when properly supervised. Dr. Emami’s ongoing monitoring protocol is specifically designed to catch any issues early and adjust your treatment accordingly.
Who is a good candidate for BHRT?
Women experiencing perimenopause or menopause symptoms, men with declining testosterone, patients who’ve undergone hysterectomy or oophorectomy and anyone experiencing symptoms of hormonal imbalance may be good candidates. Younger patients going through early hormonal shifts may also benefit. The best way to find out is through a consultation with Dr. Emami, who will review your complete health picture before recommending any treatment.
How long does it take to see results from BHRT?
Most patients begin noticing improvements within two to four weeks. Full optimization typically takes three to six months as your body adjusts to the new hormone levels.
Can men benefit from bioidentical hormone therapy?
Absolutely. Testosterone levels in men begin declining around age 30, and by their 40s and 50s, many men are experiencing symptoms like fatigue, reduced libido, difficulty building muscle, increased body fat and mental fogginess. BHRT for men in San Diego is available at AURAE MD, and the same personalized approach applies.
What delivery methods are available for BHRT at AURAE MD?
Dr. Emami offers a range of delivery methods including topical creams, gels, transdermal patches, injections and vaginal inserts. The best method depends on your specific hormonal needs, absorption rate, lifestyle and personal preference. This flexibility is a significant advantage over providers who only offer one option (like hormone pellets).
How often will I need follow-up appointments?
After starting BHRT, you’ll typically have a follow-up appointment with Dr. Emami about three months in. After that, visits are usually scheduled every six to twelve months, depending on how stable your levels are and how you’re feeling. Dr. Emami is also available by phone and email between scheduled visits, which means you’re never left guessing if something feels off.
How is AURAE MD’s approach to BHRT different from other providers?
Several things set AURAE MD apart. Dr. Emami personally performs all consultations and treatments — you’ll never be handed off to a mid-level provider. All formulations are custom-compounded for each patient. And because BHRT at AURAE MD is part of a comprehensive personalized medicine approach, your hormone therapy can be integrated with nutrition, stress management, genomic evaluation and weight management as needed.
Are You Ready to Feel Like Yourself Again?
If you’ve been dealing with symptoms of hormonal imbalance and you’re looking for someone who will listen, run the right tests and build a treatment plan around you, Dr. Emami and the team at AURAE MD are here for you.
Your first step is an in-depth consultation with Dr. Emami. She’ll review your history, discuss your symptoms and goals, and determine whether BHRT is the right fit. Contact us to schedule or call 858-461-8543.