JumpstartMD

Bioidentical hormones match the precise chemical makeup of the hormones your body produces naturally and, as a result, are indistinguishable to your body from the hormones that provide it an abundance of beneficial effects. Synthetic hormones were well received for years, as they helped to control symptoms associated with menopause. Yet synthetic hormones are distinct from bioidentical hormones because they are not identical chemical replicas of our natural hormones, and thus not a perfect match in our body. Studies have shown synthetic hormones to be associated with a host of adverse consequences ranging from non-life threatening adverse side effects such as bleeding, breast pain, bloating, and mood swings to more dangerous afflictions such as cancer, blood clots, heart disease, and more. This is why we only advocate for replacing your hormones with an exact replica of your natural human hormones.

Potential complications from bioidentical hormone therapy are rare but could include fluid retention, swelling of hands and feet, breast tenderness or nipple sensitivity, spotting or bleeding, or mood swings and irritability. Testosterone therapy may rarely cause a slight increase in facial hair in some women. This is typically treated easily if needed. While very rare, hair thinning on the scalp may occur in people that convert testosterone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This is also treatable and may furthermore be mitigated by proactive preventative techniques for anyone with those concerns.

Bioidentical hormones are chemically identical to those hormones found in our own bodies. Studies show that properly delivered, BHRT does not cause cancer. Some studies suggest that bioidentical hormones may exert a protective effect against some cancers.

A pellet is a small cylinder slightly bigger than a grain of rice. Manufactured with pharmaceutical grade quality controls, each pellet contains, as an active ingredient, a specific dosage of an FDA-approved bioidentical hormone. Pellets are placed in the fatty tissue underneath the skin of the buttock through relatively painless procedures performed in our office under local anesthesia. By using this approach, the hormones in the pellets are spared from “first pass” metabolism into byproducts in the liver, as occurs with oral (pill) therapy. Each pellet treatment delivers hormones at a consistent level through the day and lasts for up to 3-4 months in women and 5-6 months in men.

It may take time to find the optimal balance, and your dosages may require adjustment. Although rare, during this adjustment phase, you may experience side effects such as headaches, irritability, mood swings, increased acne, difficulty sleeping or breast tenderness. Once your hormones are balanced properly, you’re eating properly, and you’re active and managing your stress, you may begin to experience any or all of the following: Improved energy levels, motivation, and mood Enhanced sexual drive and gratification Reduction in body fat and weight Improved memory, mental clarity, and quickness Improved strength, muscle tone, and exercise capacity Diminished hot flashes The effect of the hormones usually begins within 24 – 72 hours after insertion and reaches its peak efficacy after about 3-5 weeks. The benefits typically start to decline after 3-4 months in women or 5-6 months in men. More muscular, active/athletic people tend to see reduced efficacy sooner

BHRT is a safe, proven clinical therapy that rebalances hormone levels that are often responsible for symptoms associated with aging. Bioidentical hormones are designed to precisely match the molecular structures of the natural hormones in your body.

Absolutely. Suboptimal hormone levels (deficiencies) are responsible for many of the symptoms attributed to “getting older.” Correcting these deficiencies with biologically-identical, natural hormones are safe and simple and can dramatically improve your health, quality of life and youthful vitality.

Yes. We only prescribe medications with a long history of safe and successful use. They have been FDA-approved for decades and have very strong safety profiles. As with any medication, there may be side effects or risks. Most patients experience only the intended effects. If experienced, side effects are minimal and of short duration. Side effects can include dryness of the mouth, constipation, difficulty sleeping, or headaches. Our medical staff will tailor dosages to your individual needs and monitor their safety and effectiveness through your weekly visits.

Yes. We treat patients who are 16 and older with parental consent on a case-by-case basis. Adolescents entering or attending college (18 or older) especially benefit from our program as they learn to better manage the unique challenges associated with campus life.

You will continue to enjoy many of the same delicious, whole, fresh foods that you already love while developing a healthy respect for foods that should be the exception and not the norm. We teach you how to order food in social settings and provide strategic shopping lists for Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Mollie Stone’s and Safeway. We appreciate the great resources we have in the Bay Area and encourage our patients to enjoy food and drink in a way that nourishes our lives and physical wellbeing.

Not at all. Understand that exercise is a wonderful and effective wellness tool that we wholeheartedly support, but if your goal is effective and substantive weight loss, your initial focus is better spent on nutritional change. If you are completely sedentary when starting the program, exercise is introduced gradually. To prevent you from becoming too hungry, we recommend moderate exercise once you have settled into the program. Over time, we will increase the amount of exercise and introduce resistance training. High-intensity exercise has many benefits, but we recommend it in the correct sequence.

We offer different levels of membership depending on your individual needs. For optimal results, we suggest weekly visits with a clinician or health coach. Numerous studies support our own experience: long-term weight loss success is greatest when supported by consistent and frequent visits. In these meetings, we support your progress by fine-tuning your program, adjusting any medication, monitoring your health, and developing strategies to cope with your unique challenges. This gives you an opportunity to reflect, troubleshoot, ask questions, and raise any concerns as you educate yourself to keep the weight off.

We work with men and women seeking to lose ten pounds or more. Some have struggled with weight their entire lives; others come to us after major life changes such as career transitions, childbirth, or menopause. Some of our patients are looking to correct or improve medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, or high cholesterol. Many simply want to lose weight quickly and safely in order to regain their former selves. Our patients range in age from teenagers to seniors.

We get it. Losing weight is hard, and the experience can be very frustrating. But over the years we have helped thousands of members lose weight and improve their overall health. Our comprehensive program is not a diet; it’s a way of life. Major lifestyle change is not easy, and that is why diets fail. At JumpstartMD we empower you to transform your lifestyle in order to lose weight and keep it off. We do this by providing the ongoing private and personal support you need to stay on track. Most importantly, our program is flexible enough to address challenges and issues specific to your life and circumstances. Medically supervised and based on the science of weight loss, our program will help you overcome obstacles with time-tested techniques and smart, effective strategies. Unlike a diet, cleanse, or fad, our program builds fundamental knowledge and behavior change which is the key to sustained weight management.

Payment is due at the time of service. Members may use HSA or FSA cards to pay for services. We also offer a concierge claims service that submits on behalf of patients with PPO coverage for out-of-network reimbursement, although .reimbursement and individual reimbursement amounts are not guaranteed All reimbursements are sent directly to the patient. In the event that we do receive a reimbursement check, we will forward it along to our patients ASAP. We cannot file claims to Medicare, even if a patient holds an active secondary PPO plan through their employer. For more information about how we work with insurance and FSA/HSA programs, please call us at 855-586-7782.

At JumpstartMD, we offer a highly personalized and customized program to meet your needs and objectives. We will work with you to develop a program that includes an initial assessment and ongoing follow up meetings. Pricing is based on the frequency of meetings and where you are in relation to your overall health and wellness goals. For more information about pricing and how we work with insurance, please call us at 855-586-7782 or request a no-obligation consultation.

Our patients lose an average of one to five pounds each week.* Women tend to lose one to three pounds, while men lose two to five. After nine months of following the JumpstartMD program, our average patient has lost 17% of their body weight and 7 inches in waist circumference. Of course, your results will depend on many factors, including your starting weight, medical conditions, personal approach, and individual program design. *Results may vary.