Types of Bioidentical Hormone Therapy Doctors and Practitioners

Differentiating designations for healthcare providers

Healthcare professionals can hold many different degrees and designations. Here’s a quick guide to help you determine what sort of education and training potential BHRT providers have:


M.D. = Medical Doctor

  • 4-year undergraduate degree concentrated on science coursework
  • 4 years of medical school
  • 3-6 years of internships and residencies
  • can select a specialty to develop expertise in areas such as cardiology, endocrinology, gynecology, obstetrics, pediatrics, psychiatry or surgery
  • may not select a specialty and opt to serve as a primary-care physician

D.O. = Doctor of Osteopathy

  • 4-year undergraduate degree concentrated on science coursework
  • 4 years of medical school
  • 3-6 years of internships and residencies
  • can select a specialty, but most osteopathic doctors become primary-care physicians
  • extra training in the musculoskeletal system – muscles, bones, and nerves
  • approach tends to be more holistic than M.D.s

N.D. = Naturopathic Doctor

  • 4-year undergraduate degree
  • 4 years of a graduate program at an accredited naturopathic school; curriculum concentrates on nutrition, hydrotherapy, botanical and homeopathic medicine
  • considered a primary-care physician; can prescribe limited amounts of medications, order lab tests, perform routine medical exams, and refer patients to specialists
  • focuses on using natural and non-invasive therapies, and treating the person as a whole

D.C. = Doctorate of Chiropractic degree

  • 4-year undergraduate degree
  • 4 years of medical school
  • concentrates on the musculoskeletal system
  • provides pain relief by realigning bones and tissues

L.A.c. = Licensed Acupuncturist

  • 4-year undergraduate degree
  • typically 4 years of a graduate program concentrated on acupuncture, physiology, Chinese medical concepts, herbal pharmacology, nutrition and internal medicine
  • completes programs based on both western and eastern modalities of medicine

N.P. or R.N.P. = Nurse Practitioner or Registered Nurse Practitioner

  • 4-year undergraduate degree
  • completes a graduate program in nursing, such as an M.S.N. [Master of Science in Nursing]
  • can serve as a primary-care physician
  • may select a specialty

F.N.P.-C = Certified Family Nurse Practitioner

  • specializes in primary care, women’s health, pediatrics or geriatrics

F.A.C.O.G = Fellow of American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology

  • specialty training in obstetrics and gynecology

N.C.M.P = National Certified Menopause Practitioner

  • extra training in issues related to menopause and perimenopause

F.A.C.E. = Fellow of the College of Endocrinology

  • board-certified with specialty training in endocrinology, the system that controls hormonal and adrenal function

Center for Nutrition & Preventive Medicine

Center for Nutrition & Preventive Medicine

177 N. Dean street, Suite 308
Englewood, New Jersey 07631

Institute for Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Institute for Complementary and Alternative Medicine

24 Nautilus Dr. Suite 3
Manahawkin, New Jersey 08050

Natasha Fuksina M.D.

Natasha Fuksina M.D.

135 Columbia Turnpike, Suite 203
Florham Park, New Jersey 07932

Ocean Obstetric & Gynecologic Associates

Ocean Obstetric & Gynecologic Associates

804 West Park Ave.
Ocean, New Jersey 07712

Healthy Aging Medical Centers

Healthy Aging Medical Centers

667 Eagle Rock Ave, Suite 2A
West Orange, New Jersey 07052

HealthBridge

HealthBridge

1000 Northern Blvd., Suite 230
Great Neck, New York 11021

Atlas Drug & Nutrition Center

Atlas Drug & Nutrition Center

8416 Kennedy Blvd
North Bergen, New Jersey 07047

Integrative Medicine of New Jersey

Integrative Medicine of New Jersey

101 Old Short Hills Road
West Orange, New Jersey 07052

Age Well MD

Age Well MD

200 South Orange Ave.
Livingston, New Jersey 07039