Louis P. Bucky, MD, FACS
Award-Winning, World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon
Premiere Destination for Finest Injectables & Skin Care
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormonal shifts can affect everything from your energy levels and mood to your appearance and relationships. At Bucky Plastic Surgery in Philadelphia, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is one of the many personalized treatments we offer to help patients feel more balanced and vibrant. Whether you’re navigating the hormonal changes of midlife or experiencing symptoms that are disrupting your daily life, our expert team provides care tailored to your goals and your body’s unique needs.
What is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Bioidentical Hormone replacement therapy is a medical approach to restoring key hormones—such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone—when your body is no longer producing them in optimal amounts. While it’s commonly associated with menopause and low testosterone, BHRT can benefit individuals of any gender experiencing symptoms of hormonal imbalance. At Bucky Plastic Surgery, we offer bioidentical hormone therapy derived from plant sources and molecularly similar to human hormones. Treatment options include topical creams, injections, patches, and long-acting pellets.1
How Does Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy Work?
Our treatment approach begins with a deep dive into your health history, lab results, and current symptoms. We use this information to create a custom hormone plan that aligns with your wellness goals. Over the course of your treatment, we continue to monitor your hormone levels and adjust as needed to support long-term balance. This adaptive, ongoing model helps maintain consistent results and promotes a better quality of life.
Who is a Candidate for BHRT?
If you’ve been dealing with low energy, mood changes, sleep disruption, weight gain, low libido, or changes in skin and hair, these could be signs of a hormonal imbalance. Whether caused by age, stress, or underlying conditions, these changes can be frustrating. At Bucky Plastic Surgery, we take the time to assess your full health picture before recommending hormone therapy—and no two treatment plans are alike.
Ready to find out if BHRT is right for you? Book your consultation today.
Benefits of BHRT
BHRT is more than symptom relief—it’s an effective treatment geared toward optimizing how you feel and function every day. Potential benefits include:
- Increased stamina and energy levels
- Enhanced libido and improved sexual wellness
- Better sleep and mental focus
- Fewer hot flashes and night sweats
- Improved emotional regulation
- Healthier skin, hair, and nails
- More lean muscle mass and reduced fat accumulation
- Support for metabolism and weight stability
- Improved bone strength and cardiovascular support
Why Choose Bucky Plastic Surgery for BHRT in Philadelphia?
At our Philadelphia practice, hormone therapy is integrated into a broader view of whole-body wellness. Whether you’re already a surgical patient or exploring non-invasive treatments, we provide a thoughtful, evidence-based approach to hormonal care. Our team utilizes advanced diagnostics and offers a range of delivery options to fit your lifestyle. From your first visit through every follow-up, we’re here to support you at every step.
BHRT for Women
As women approach midlife, fluctuating hormone levels can bring on an array of physical and emotional symptoms. Hot flashes, brain fog, weight gain, sleep disturbances, and changes in libido are just a few of the common challenges associated with menopause symptoms and hormone imbalance in women. Estrogen and progesterone therapy—especially when initiated during early menopause—can help ease these symptoms and support long-term health.2,3
BHRT for women may be used to address:
- Hot flashes, irregular periods, and night sweats
- Mood swings, irritability, and anxiety
- Low sex drive and vaginal dryness
- Weight gain and slowed metabolism
- Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
- Bone density loss and increased risk of osteoporosis
- Thinning hair and dry skin
- Urinary symptoms or frequent urges
Every HRT plan is developed with your individual symptoms, goals, and health history in mind. With the right care and monitoring, many women experience significant improvements in how they feel day-to-day.4
Take the first step toward hormonal balance — schedule your visit now.
BHRT for Men
As testosterone levels decrease with age, men may begin to notice a range of subtle—and not-so-subtle—changes in energy, performance, and mood. Known as andropause, this stage can cause muscle loss, sexual dysfunction, sleep disruption, and emotional shifts. Testosterone therapy can help reverse or alleviate many of these symptoms.
BHRT for men may support:
- Sexual performance and libido
- Muscle tone and physical strength
- Focus, memory, and motivation
- Consistent energy levels and improved sleep
- Hair retention and lean body mass
- Bone strength and physical endurance
Using a personalized combination of lab work, symptom tracking, and regular check-ins, we craft each man’s hormone therapy plan to promote strength, clarity, and overall wellness. In addition to relieving frustrating symptoms, testosterone therapy has been linked to improvements in sexual function, cardiovascular health, emotional stability, and quality of life for men with low testosterone.5,6
Feel like yourself again. Get in touch to get started with a personalized plan.
What to Expect
Your BHRT journey starts with a comprehensive consultation where we explore your symptoms, medical history, and long-term goals. Lab testing provides insights into your current hormone levels and helps us determine the most effective approach to treatment. Your customized plan may include hormone therapy, nutritional support, and other wellness strategies to promote overall balance.
We offer several hormone delivery options so that treatment works with your routine—not against it. From daily creams to tablets that dissolve under the tongue to long-lasting pellets, we help you choose the method that fits your lifestyle and preferences. Our team is with you throughout the process to provide guidance and make any necessary adjustments.
We focus on the future, not just the present. Sustained hormone optimization can contribute to healthier aging and support brain, heart, and bone health over time.
Let’s talk about your symptoms and goals. Set up your consultation.
FAQs About Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
BHRT is generally safe when overseen by an experienced provider. Safety depends on individual factors like age, personal health history, and the type of therapy prescribed. We thoroughly evaluate your risks and benefits before starting treatment.
Like any medical treatment, BHRT can come with potential side effects. Some patients may experience temporary symptoms such as bloating, breast tenderness, headaches, or mood changes during the initial adjustment period. More serious risks depend on individual health factors and the type of hormones used.8 That’s why we take a careful, personalized approach—monitoring your progress closely and adjusting your treatment as needed to minimize side effects and maximize benefits.
Symptoms vary but often include fatigue, brain fog, low libido, sleep issues, irritability, hot flashes, erectile dysfunction, and changes in hair, skin, or body composition.
Many patients begin to notice improvements within a few weeks. However, it may take several months to experience the full effects. Ongoing adjustments help maximize benefits.
No. Hormonal changes can occur at various stages of life. We work with younger patients, too, especially those facing premature menopause or hormone disruptions due to health conditions.
Costs depend on your specific needs, including testing, office visits, and type of hormone delivery. During your consultation at our Philadelphia practice, we’ll break down all pricing and answer your questions.
Contact Us
If you’re experiencing signs of hormonal imbalance or just don’t feel like yourself, we’re here to help. Bucky Plastic Surgery in Philadelphia offers customized hormone therapy designed to fit your needs and support your long-term well-being. Reach out today to schedule your consultation and explore your options for a more balanced life.
1 Cleveland Clinic. Bioidentical Hormones. Available: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/15660-bioidentical-hormones. Accessed April 14, 2025.
2 Mayo Clinic. Menopause hormone therapy: Is it right for you? Available: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/in-depth/hormone-therapy/art-20046372. Accessed April 14, 2025.
3 Cleveland Clinic. Hormone Therapy for Menopause Symptoms. Available: http://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/15245-hormone-therapy-for-menopause-symptoms. Accessed April 14, 2025.
4 Peacock K, Carlson K, Ketvertis KM. Menopause. [Updated 2023 Dec 21]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507826/. Accessed April 14, 2025.
5 Heinze-Milne S, Banga S, Howlett SE. Low testosterone concentrations and risk of ischaemic cardiovascular disease in ageing: not just a problem for older men. Lancet Healthy Longev. 2022 Feb;3(2):e83-e84. doi: 10.1016/S2666-7568(22)00008-3. PMID: 36098326. Available: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanhl/article/PIIS2666-7568(22)00008-3/fulltext. Accessed April 14, 2025.
6 Jia H, Sullivan CT, McCoy SC, Yarrow JF, Morrow M, Borst SE. Review of health risks of low testosterone and testosterone administration. World J Clin Cases. 2015 Apr 16;3(4):338-44. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v3.i4.338. PMID: 25879005; PMCID: PMC4391003. Available: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4391003/. Accessed April 14, 2025.
7 Mayo Clinic. Menopause hormone therapy: Is it right for you? Available: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/in-depth/hormone-therapy/art-20046372. Accessed April 14, 2025.
8 Mayo Clinic. Menopause hormone therapy: Is it right for you? Available: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/in-depth/hormone-therapy/art-20046372. Accessed April 14, 2025.
Dr. Bucky has either authored or reviewed and approved this content.
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