Reclaim Your Vitality
Physician-Supervised Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy
Restore declining estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone with a personalized, physician-supervised plan built around your symptoms, lab results, and health goals.
The short version: Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) restores declining estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone in women going through perimenopause and menopause. At R2 Medical Clinic in Denver, treatment is physician-supervised and personalized — addressing hot flashes, fatigue, brain fog, low libido, weight changes, and mood through comprehensive lab work and ongoing monitoring. Most women notice improvements within the first few weeks, with fuller results over the following months.
Hormones control more than you think — energy, sleep quality, mental clarity, sexual desire, muscle tone, even whether you remember where you put your keys. When hormones decline during perimenopause and menopause, the effects touch every part of your life. The symptoms are real, and they deserve real solutions. At R2 Medical Clinic, our medical team led by Dr. Erik Natkin, DO designs treatment plans built around your specific symptoms, lab results, and health goals.
If you are dealing with these symptoms, you are not overreacting and you are not alone. They are common, they are medical, and they have medical solutions. The most common symptoms we treat include:
Libido loss and low energy are the two symptoms women most often dismiss as "just normal aging." They are not. These affect your quality of life, your relationships, and your ability to show up as yourself.
Bio-identical hormones are molecularly identical to the hormones your body produces naturally. This is not synthetic and it is not experimental. Because they match your body's own hormones, they are generally absorbed well and well tolerated.
BHRT replaces the estrogen, progesterone, and sometimes testosterone that decline during perimenopause and menopause. Depending on your needs, we use both FDA-approved formulations (such as transdermal estradiol and micronized progesterone) and customized preparations, with the dose and delivery method tailored to your symptoms, lab results, and health history. The goal is straightforward: restore hormonal balance so you feel like yourself again.
Testosterone is not just for men. Women produce testosterone naturally in smaller amounts, and healthy levels are important for energy, mood, muscle tone, bone strength, and sexual function.
Low testosterone can cause persistent fatigue, decreased motivation, reduced libido, difficulty building muscle, and increased body fat. Testosterone therapy, carefully dosed and monitored through regular lab work, restores vitality without masculinizing effects. Benefits women may experience with optimized testosterone include improved energy and mental focus, restored libido and reduced sexual dysfunction, better muscle gain and maintenance, improved mood, better sleep, and increased motivation and self-confidence.
Read the research: prescribing testosterone for women (British Journal of General Practice, 2020) →
Estrogen is the most effective treatment available for hot flashes and night sweats, and it supports several areas of long-term health:
Read the research: estrogen deficiency and the role of hormone therapy (Menopause, 2024) →
Progesterone balances estrogen's effects and offers benefits of its own:
Read the research: oral micronized progesterone, night sweats and sleep (Scientific Reports, 2023) →
Thyroid function and female hormone balance are closely linked. An underactive thyroid can amplify symptoms of hormonal imbalance — fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, hair thinning, and low mood. Because the two systems interact, they need to be managed together; starting hormone therapy can even change your thyroid medication needs.
We assess thyroid function as part of your comprehensive evaluation, including TSH, Free T3, and Free T4. When thyroid optimization is needed, we integrate it into your plan. For a primer, read our overview of how your thyroid works and why it's crucial to your health.
Some symptoms are harder to bring up, even with your doctor — reduced desire, vaginal dryness, discomfort during intercourse, difficulty reaching orgasm. These are common during menopause and are directly related to declining estrogen and testosterone. You do not have to accept them as permanent.
BHRT addresses sexual wellness by restoring the hormones that regulate libido, arousal, and vaginal health. We also offer complementary sexual wellness treatments for women, including the V-Shot (PRP therapy), to enhance results. Your sexual health is part of your overall well-being and deserves attention.
Memory lapses, trouble concentrating, that constant mental fog — these usually are not signs of early dementia. They are neurological symptoms of hormonal decline. Estrogen plays an important role in cognitive function, and when it drops during perimenopause, many women experience "brain fog": a mix of poor sleep, memory changes, and mood shifts that can hit quality of life and productivity hard. As hormones rebalance, many women report sharper focus and clearer memory.
BHRT does more than ease day-to-day symptoms — it supports long-term health:
These benefits tend to compound over time, and earlier intervention generally yields better outcomes.
We offer multiple delivery methods and select the approach that fits your lifestyle and symptom profile:
During your first consultation, our team will explain the advantages and disadvantages of each method. You choose the approach that fits your life, not what is easiest for us.
We do not prescribe hormones at your first appointment. We take time to understand your complete health picture first. This deliberate approach keeps treatment safe and effective.
You have probably heard conflicting information about hormone therapy. The research has evolved significantly, and much of the old fear is out of date.
Many women worry that hormones cause breast cancer. The picture is more nuanced than the headlines. In a large French study of nearly 80,000 women (the E3N cohort), natural micronized progesterone was not associated with the increased breast cancer risk seen with certain synthetic progestins. The regulatory view has shifted too: in November 2025, the FDA began removing the "black box" warning from menopausal hormone therapy products containing estrogen, after concluding the broad warning was misleading.
The key to safe treatment is individualized care — we review your medical history, assess your risk factors, and design a plan around your health profile rather than a one-size-fits-all protocol.
FDA announcement on removing HRT black box warnings (Nov 2025) →
R2 Medical Clinic offers physician-led hormone therapy focused on personalized care and measurable outcomes.
BHRT is designed for women experiencing hormonal decline during perimenopause, menopause, or post-menopause. Perimenopause can start as early as the late 30s, and you do not need to wait until symptoms become severe. Many women come to us after being told their symptoms are "just part of aging." If you have felt dismissed, you are not alone — your symptoms are real and deserve proper evaluation.
You may be a good candidate if you are:
BHRT can also be appropriate after a hysterectomy or early menopause. It is not right for everyone — that is exactly why we evaluate each person individually. The only way to know for certain is through a comprehensive consultation and full lab panel.
How long does it take to see results from BHRT?
Most women notice improvements within 2 to 4 weeks, with continued progress over the following months. Hot flashes and night sweats often improve first, followed by energy, sleep, and focus.
What's the difference between bio-identical and synthetic hormones?
Bio-identical hormones are molecularly identical to the hormones your body makes. Synthetic hormones have a different molecular structure. This is why bio-identical formulations such as transdermal estradiol and micronized progesterone are often preferred.
Does insurance cover BHRT in Colorado?
Coverage varies by plan. We'll help you understand your benefits, and you can contact your insurer about your specific coverage. See our notes on whether insurance covers hormone testing.
Will BHRT cause weight gain?
BHRT is not a weight-loss drug, but many women find that restoring hormone balance makes it easier to manage the weight and metabolic changes that come with menopause — especially when paired with our medical weight loss program.
Are there side effects from BHRT?
Side effects are uncommon when treatment is properly dosed and monitored. Some women have temporary breast tenderness, mild bloating, or mood changes in the first few weeks as levels adjust. We monitor for any effects and adjust accordingly.
Do I need to take hormones forever?
It depends on your symptoms, goals, and response. Some women use BHRT for a few years to manage acute symptoms; others continue longer for sustained relief and health benefits. We build a plan around your preferences.
Where are your Denver-area locations?
Our main hormone therapy clinic is at 1873 South Bellaire Street, Suite 1215, Denver, CO 80222. We also have locations in Arvada/Wheat Ridge and Castle Rock, and serve patients in Aurora and surrounding communities. See our Denver location for details.
If you are tired of living with symptoms that affect your energy, focus, relationships, and well-being, BHRT could be the solution you have been looking for. Your next step is simple: schedule a consultation at R2 Medical Clinic. We'll review your symptoms, run the necessary lab work, and build a treatment plan designed for you. You don't have to accept hormonal decline as inevitable — you have options, and we're here to help you explore them.
Call us at (720) 640-2333 or visit one of our Colorado locations: Denver (flagship), Arvada/Wheat Ridge, and Castle Rock.
This page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Treatment decisions are made with your physician based on your individual health profile.