Ojai, California Bioidentical Hormones Specialist Robin A. Bernhoft, M.D. specializes in bioidentical hormone therapy to treat the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Bioidentical hormones are fully customizable to meet your needs, providing a safe and natural therapy that may relieve you from some of the suffering associated with fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia is a disease that most commonly affects women in their 50s and 60s. It can be difficult diagnose, but the key symptom of fibromyalgia is widespread body pain that affects muscles and joints. Conventional medicine often offers those suffering with fibromyalgia few, if any, solutions, and typically, heavy painkillers are prescribed to battle the effects of this syndrome.

Hormones play a vital role in pain management, and research is being done to discover how certain hormones such as pregnenolone, DHEA, and testosterone may influence the nervous system and pain receptors. Robin A. Bernhoft, M.D. offers a functional medicine approach to balancing both hormones and other systems that may help to reduce the symptoms of fibromyalgia and get you on the road to better overall health and wellness.

Robin A. Bernhoft, M.D. is dedicated to helping Ojai, California patients that have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia to reduce inflammation, pain, and other uncomfortable symptoms. Robin A. Bernhoft, M.D. offers numerous integrative therapies that help to improve symptoms safely and effectively. Patients in Ojai, California come to Robin A. Bernhoft, M.D. to receive individualized attention that addresses their personal needs and concerns.

Call (805) 586-3432 to speak with local Ojai, California Fibromyalgia Specialist Robin A. Bernhoft, M.D. and schedule your consultation today!

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Some of the symptoms of Fibromyalgia include:

Fibromyalgia can cause a chronic muscle and soft tissue pain in your body. Some people describe it as pins and needles, some say it’s more like having been hit by a bus. Some people experience the pain all over their bodies, other may feel it in specific locations. Whether it’s painful or annoying, consistent or occasional, it does not have to stay tolerated.

Also referred to as ‘fibro fog’, this symptom of fibromyalgia is heinously frustrating. Possibly due to sleeping issues, or other symptoms, this brain fog causes difficulty concentrating or remembering new information. This fog may leave you struggling to stay focused at work or keeping up in social settings and conversations.

Due to the same constantly fluctuating hormones that are aggravating fibromyalgia, menstrual symptoms can also worsen. Many women experience heightened period cramps and muscle soreness, as well as worsened stress and anxiety levels.

Similar to when your limbs fall asleep, people with fibromyalgia experience a tingling sensation in their limbs. These feelings of burning, prickling or even numbness may occur in the arms, hands, legs, and feet, causing a general discomfort and even pain to those feeling it.

Studies have shown that there is a strong relationship between fibromyalgia and depression. Depression can be persistent feelings of sadness or emptiness, it can cause difficulty sleeping, appetite changes, physical fatigue, and many other taxing symptoms.

Research being done on fibromyalgia has seen a link between the urinary incontinence symptom and nervous system stress. The nervous system is important in the regulation of bladder storage, and when it becomes too stressed, leads to bladder malfunctions such as frequent urination urges or leakages.

The pelvic floor is between your tailbone and pubic bone, many people who experience pelvic pain due to their fibromyalgia will feel it in this area, although ‘pelvic pain’ may mean different areas to different people. This pelvic pain may also cause or aggravate urinary incontinence.

An intense headache lasting for hours or even days, migraines tend to begin in one specific area (your forehead, side of your head, or around or behind your eyes) and spreads gradually throughout the day, aggravated by any external factors such as sounds or lights.

Insomnia is disordered sleeping in which falling or staying asleep is very difficult, and when sleep comes, it is not restful. This distressing symptom often exacerbates many of the others such as the depression and migraines. Pain tolerance also plummets with lack of sleep, making the pain of fibromyalgia much less bearable.

Many patients with fibromyalgia wake with discomfort and feel as though they must loosen up their stiff muscles after a night in bed. Generally, these feelings of ‘stiffness’ are felt in the muscles and comes on after a long period of time in the same position.

There is a very strong relationship between IBS and FM, well over half of the patients diagnosed with either IBS or FM show symptoms of the other. IBS is characterized by abdominal pain, often in relation to bowel movements. This pain is often accompanied by bloating, gas, and diarrhea, constipation, or both. Both IBS and FM also cause difficulty sleeping and depression and anxiety.

A less common, but still disheartening side effect of fibromyalgia is pain in the face or jaw. This is called temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ, and is caused by the strain on your jaw when you clench it due to pain from the other symptoms.

This pain can lead to trouble chewing, speaking, or yawning and prevents full mandible mobility.

About Fibromyalgia

Conventional medicine often offers those suffering with fibromyalgia few, if any, solutions, and typically, heavy painkillers are prescribed to battle the effects of this syndrome.

Hormones play a vital role in pain management, and research is being done to discover how certain hormones such as pregnenolone, DHEA, and testosterone may influence the nervous system and pain receptors.

  • Pregnenolone influences the nervous system and works with neurotransmitters to increase calmness.
  • DHEA reduces inflammation.
  • Testosterone can also work with neurotransmitters to reduce the transmission of pain signals.

Keeping the hormones balanced and at adequate levels can help suffering clients to potentially reduce existing symptoms of fibromyalgia and prevent other symptoms from occurring.

Find Answers To Frequently Asked Questions About BHRT

Beginning a Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) protocol typically comes with several questions. We’ve gathered some of the most common questions related to starting BHRT and answered them here below. If you have any further questions or need any clarification, please contact Robin A. Bernhoft, M.D. in Ojai, California, who has years of experience providing women with customized bioidentical hormone plans.

How Is BHRT Different From Regular HRT?

The main difference between bioidentical HRT and other forms of HRT is the kind of hormones that are used. In regular HRT, the synthetic hormones used contain additional chemical components that allow drug manufacturers to patent their chemicals. At best, these added components do nothing for you. At worst, your body may recognize them as foreign chemicals and they may cause unpleasant side effects.
In BHRT, the hormones used are bioidentical, which means that they are the exact chemical structure of the hormones naturally produced in your body. This means there is no risk of your body not accepting them. Plus, they are derived from natural plant sources such as yams and soy.

Can I Buy Bioidentical Hormones Online?

While you may find websites claiming to sell bioidentical hormones, there are many risks involved in purchasing hormones online. First, it is often difficult to trace the origin of these products, meaning they may not be regulated for accuracy. This leads to the second problem, which is that it is very hard to be sure of the ingredients of these products. You may not be getting hormones at all!
Finally, even if you find legitimate bioidentical hormones online, without seeing a doctor you can’t know for certain which hormones you need, what dose you need them in, and what form of BHRT will work best for you. BHRT doctor Robin A. Bernhoft, M.D. can ensure that you receive proper care and treatment and that you experience minimal side effects.

What Form Does BHRT Come In?

Bioidentical hormones are prepared by a compounding pharmacy where they are produced in several forms, including pills, patches, subdermal pellets, creams, injections, and more. Everyone responds to these various forms differently, and your BHRT doctor can help find the form that will most benefit you and your body.

What Is The Cost Of BHRT?

The cost of BHRT varies by the hormones needed, the doses needed, the form of BHRT, and the length of time that you receive treatment. For a more accurate quote, please call to schedule a consultation.

Is BHRT Covered By My Insurance?

Because insurance plans and providers vary considerably, there is no way for us to provide a blanket statement. Your plan may cover BHRT under certain circumstances. The best course of action is to first call our office to discuss whether we accept your current insurance plan and provider. After you call us, we recommend contacting your insurance provider as a follow-up to ensure that your treatment is covered or to discuss how your treatment may be covered.

Are Bioidentical Hormones Safe?

When prescribed and supervised by a BHRT doctor, BHRT is generally safe. Dr. Flamer will review any risks or side effects associated with your particular treatment before you begin BHRT.

What Conditions Are Treated With BHRT?

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy is used to treat a number of conditions caused by a hormone imbalance or that result in hormone imbalance. In some cases, BHRT is used to treat the underlying condition while in others it is used to treat the symptoms. You can find some common symptoms that BHRT may be used to treat listed above.

What If My Question Is Not Listed Here?

Patients often have a great many questions before beginning BHRT. BHRT doctor Robin A. Bernhoft, M.D. in Ojai, California will be happy to answer any questions that you may have before, during, and after treatment. Contact your BHRT doctor today with any further questions or to schedule your initial consultation.

Start Feeling Better With A Customized BHRT Plan Today!

fibromyalgia ojai bernhoft treatment

It’s a scary battle, but you don’t have to fight it alone!

Call (805) 586-3432 to speak with Ojai, California Fibromyalgia Specialist, Robin A. Bernhoft, M.D. today! Robin A. Bernhoft, M.D. of Bernhoft Center for Advanced Medicine at has helped countless fibromyalgia patients to regain a pain-free lifestyle in Ojai, California.