Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)
Virginia Beach

The cost of hormone therapy depends on several factors, including the type of hormone used, the delivery method (pellets, creams, patches, injections, or gels), the frequency of treatments, and the level of monitoring required. Additionally, compounded bioidentical hormones may differ in price compared to standardized synthetic hormones.

Hormone pellet therapy, for example, has a higher upfront cost but requires fewer visits each year, while creams or injections are billed monthly and can be adjusted more frequently. Your individual dosage needs, lab work, and follow-up visits also influence overall costs. At Optimal Well MD, we offer transparent pricing and help you choose a treatment plan that balances effectiveness, convenience, and long-term value.

Like all medical treatments, hormone therapy carries risks, but when monitored closely by a skilled physician, it is generally considered safe for eligible patients. Certain large studies, such as the Women’s Health Initiative, have found an increased risk of blood clots, heart disease, and certain cancers with traditional synthetic hormone therapy.

However, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), which uses plant-derived hormones structurally identical to those produced by your body, is absorbed more readily and may lower these side effects for some patients. At Optimal Well MD, your therapy is carefully monitored through lab testing and regular follow-ups to reduce risks. For most healthy adults, the benefits of improved hormonal balance outweigh the potential risks.

Yes, hormone therapy is a cornerstone of endometriosis management. By regulating estrogen and progesterone levels, hormone therapies can slow the growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, thus reducing pain and bleeding.

For example, studies on progestins have shown significant improvement in painful symptoms of endometriosis. Meanwhile, the levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) has been shown to reduce menstrual blood loss by 70-90% after one year and improve pelvic pain. While hormone therapy is not a cure for endometriosis, it can significantly reduce pelvic pain, heavy bleeding, and fatigue, helping women achieve better daily function.

In most cases, yes. The majority of health insurance plans provide at least some level of coverage for hormone replacement therapy (HRT). In fact, studies show that more than 90% of Medicare and Medicaid plans cover estradiol, the most common form of HRT, and that figure rises to nearly 99% for commercial insurance plans.

However, having coverage does not always guarantee affordability. Many insurers place HRT medications into higher formulary tiers, which means patients often face larger copays or out-of-pocket expenses, especially when choosing brand-name treatments. Generic options may be more cost-effective, but accessibility can still vary.

Insurance coverage also depends on the type of hormones received. FDA-approved hormone prescriptions are often at least partially covered. However, compounded bioidentical hormones are typically not covered and are considered out-of-pocket expenses. Whether treatment is covered often depends on the plan and whether it is deemed “medically necessary.”

At Optimal Well MD, we provide clear documentation to help patients seek reimbursement through insurance if possible, and many can also use Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for added flexibility.