Physician-Led · Hormone Health

Hormone Therapy Assessment in Burnaby

Symptoms and tests reviewed by a physician

Hot flashes, sleep problems, mood changes and fatigue can come from hormonal change or from other causes. At Skin Art MD in Burnaby, a physician reviews your symptoms and tests, and explains the options, risks and monitoring of any hormone therapy.

Assessment
Symptoms and Tests Reviewed
Risks
Explained Before Treatment
Follow-Up
Monitoring Throughout
Understanding BHRT

What Is Hormone Therapy and Who Is It For?

Hormone therapy is a prescription treatment that a physician may consider for symptoms linked to menopause or other hormonal change. At Skin Art MD in Burnaby (Metrotown), a physician reviews your symptoms, history and tests, explains options, benefits and risks, and arranges monitoring.

Symptoms linked to hormonal change overlap with many other conditions, including thyroid disease, sleep problems and stress, so assessment comes first. Hormone therapy carries risks, which depend on your age, health and the type used. Treatment is individualized, monitored and reviewed regularly, and can be adjusted or stopped.

Assessment First

Symptoms, history and relevant tests are reviewed before treatment is discussed.

Risks Explained

Your physician explains the possible risks and benefits for you.

Monitoring

Follow-up visits and tests are arranged so the plan can be adjusted or stopped.

What Is Hormone Therapy and Who Is It For?
How It Works

How Does a Physician Assess Hormones?

The assessment looks at your symptoms, other possible causes and relevant tests.

Symptom and History Review

Your physician reviews symptoms, menstrual or reproductive history, medications and risk factors.

Relevant Tests

Blood tests are requested where they are useful. Hormone levels do not always explain symptoms, so results are interpreted alongside your history.

Other Causes

Other contributors, such as thyroid problems or sleep disorders, are considered.

Treatment Decision

If hormone therapy is considered appropriate, the physician explains the options, risks and the monitoring plan.

Candidacy Assessment

Who Is Hormone Therapy Considered For?

Hormone therapy may be discussed for people with symptoms linked to hormonal change. Suitability depends on your medical history, goals and tests, and a physician decides.

Often Discussed When

  • +Menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes or night sweats
  • +Sleep or mood changes alongside menopausal symptoms
  • +Symptoms in men that may relate to low testosterone
  • +Symptoms that affect quality of life
  • +Other causes have been looked at by a physician

May Not Be Suitable If You

  • –Have had a hormone-sensitive cancer (specialist assessment needed)
  • –Have a history of blood clots or clotting disorders
  • –Have severe liver or kidney disease
  • –Have uncontrolled high blood pressure
  • –Are pregnant or breastfeeding
Why Skin Art MD

Our Approach

Hormone therapy is a medical decision, so the approach is cautious, individualized and monitored.

1

Physician Assessment

A physician reviews your history, symptoms and tests before treatment is discussed.

2

Relevant Testing

Tests are requested where they are useful, such as thyroid or hormone markers.

3

Honest About Risks

Benefits cannot be promised, and risks are explained clearly before any decision.

4

Ongoing Monitoring

Follow-up visits and tests are part of any plan.

Areas Reviewed

What Is Reviewed?

The assessment looks at several areas of health that can be affected by hormonal change or by other conditions with similar symptoms.

Menopausal Symptoms

Hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes and sleep disturbance.

Energy and Mood

Fatigue, low mood and concentration.

Sleep

Sleep quality and possible sleep disorders.

Bone Health

Risk factors for low bone density.

Cardiovascular Risk

Blood pressure, cholesterol and other risk factors that affect the choice of treatment.

Weight and Metabolism

Weight changes and metabolic health.

Your Visit

What Happens at a Hormone Assessment Visit?

The process starts with questions and tests, and any treatment is monitored.

Before Your Visit

1

Bring a list of current medications and supplements

2

Note your main symptoms and when they began

3

Bring any recent blood test results

4

Be ready to discuss personal and family medical history

5

Tell your physician about any history of cancer or blood clots

During Your Assessment

1

History

Your physician reviews symptoms, health conditions, medications and risk factors.

2

Tests

Relevant tests are requested and reviewed when results are back.

3

Discussion

Results, other possible causes, options, benefits and risks are explained.

4

Plan

If treatment is appropriate, a plan with monitoring is agreed. If not, other next steps are suggested.

If Treatment Starts

1

Follow-up visits and tests are arranged as your physician advises

2

Report any new symptoms promptly

3

Track your symptoms so the plan can be reviewed

4

The plan is reviewed regularly and can be adjusted or stopped

5

Nutrition and lifestyle support can be discussed alongside any treatment

Learn More

*Individual results vary. Hormone therapy carries risks and requires medical supervision and monitoring.

BHRT Questions

Hormone Therapy in Burnaby: Common Questions

What happens at a hormone assessment?+

Your physician reviews your symptoms, history and medications, and requests relevant tests. Results, other possible causes, options, risks and a monitoring plan are then discussed.

What does bioidentical mean?+

Bioidentical describes a hormone with the same chemical structure as one the body makes. It says nothing on its own about how a treatment compares with other options, and your physician will explain the options and their risks.

What are the risks of hormone therapy?+

Risks depend on the type of hormone, your age and your health, and can include blood clots and effects on breast or cardiovascular health. Your physician will explain the risks that apply to you.

How is treatment monitored?+

Follow-up visits and tests are arranged as your physician advises, and the plan is reviewed regularly.

How long would I stay on treatment?+

This is individualized. Some people use hormone therapy for a limited time, and treatment is reviewed regularly. It can be adjusted or stopped.

Is hormone therapy covered by insurance?+

Coverage varies by provider and plan. Your physician can tell you what prescriptions or tests may be involved so you can check your own coverage.

Where can I get a hormone assessment in Burnaby?+

Skin Art MD is a physician-led skin clinic at #101 – 4378 Beresford St, Burnaby, BC V5H 0H6, near Metrotown SkyTrain Station (Expo Line). We are open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–18:00, and closed on Monday. Phone: +1 (604) 639-2581.

Is a hormone assessment available near Vancouver?+

Skin Art MD is in Burnaby's Metrotown area within Metro Vancouver, close to Metrotown SkyTrain Station on the Expo Line. Consultations are available in English, Mandarin and Cantonese.

Who may not be able to have hormone therapy?+

A history of hormone-sensitive cancer, blood clots or clotting disorders, severe liver or kidney disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, and pregnancy or breastfeeding are among the reasons it may not be suitable. A physician assessment decides.

Can hormone therapy help with weight changes?+

Weight changes have many causes. Your physician can review contributing factors, including hormonal ones, but hormone therapy is not a weight-loss treatment.

Next Step

Talk Through Your Symptoms

Book a hormone assessment at our Burnaby clinic so a physician can review your symptoms and tests and explain the options and risks.

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