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