Medically reviewed by Anand Thakkar, MD. Last updated: October 9, 2026.
Physician-led BHRT · ABIM board-certified internist · A4M board-certified in anti-aging and regenerative medicine · 15 years of experience · About 10 miles from downtown Evanston
HRT Evanston patients are seen at our Lincoln Park clinic, 2707 N Halsted St in Chicago, about 10 miles south of downtown Evanston. We don’t have an office in Evanston. Dr. Anand Thakkar offers bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) for women and men, and you can start with a free 15-minute discovery call.
Evanston patients tend to arrive with good questions and a stack of reading. This page answers the local ones. For the complete program, see hormone replacement therapy in Chicago.
Evanston to Lincoln Park: Ridge, Then Clark
Starting near the Davis Street Metra station, most HRT Evanston patients drive Ridge Avenue south through Rogers Park, pick up Clark Street, and finish on Halsted just south of Diversey. Plan on about 10 miles and 20 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic. Prefer not to drive? CTA trains from Evanston also head south toward Lincoln Park.
Your blood draw happens during the same visit, so there’s no separate lab trip. Once your dose is steady, some follow-ups can be done by video.
BHRT Evanston Readers Ask: Is It Evidence-Based?
It’s a fair question, and the answer depends on the details. Here is how Dr. Thakkar approaches HRT Evanston care:
- Testing comes first. A detailed blood panel, and a DUTCH test (dried urine) when more detail on how you process hormones would change the plan.
- Approved products are on the table. Estradiol patches or gels and micronized progesterone capsules are bioidentical and FDA-approved. Compounded creams, troches or pellets are an option when a custom strength helps, and we label them as compounded.
- Doses start low and are adjusted after a recheck at 8 to 12 weeks.
- We say so when a hormone isn’t the answer. Thyroid, sleep, stress and medications get reviewed too.
Our article on bioidentical vs. conventional HRT compares the two approaches in plain language.
What the New FDA Labels Mean for You
On November 10, 2025, the FDA asked makers of menopausal hormone therapy to update their labels, and on February 12, 2026 it approved the first revised labels. Statements about heart disease, breast cancer and dementia came out of the boxed warning. Risk information still appears elsewhere on the label, and the boxed warning on uterine cancer remains for estrogen-alone products.
What it means in our office: the conversation is more balanced, but the screening is the same. Dr. Thakkar still reviews clot and stroke risk, breast health, family history and the route of therapy before anything is prescribed. Compounded hormones don’t carry FDA labels at all.
Hormones and the Evanston Week
The people we see from Evanston are often juggling a lot: teaching or research schedules, kids’ activities, early runs along the lakefront. Hormone changes rarely announce themselves. They show up as 3 a.m. wake-ups, a shorter fuse, slower recovery after a workout, or less interest in sex.
None of that proves a hormone problem. It’s a reason to test. HRT Evanston visits begin by sorting out what’s hormonal and what isn’t, because poor sleep, thyroid issues and stress can mimic the same picture. Already on hormones from another clinic? Bring your current doses and recent labs, and we’ll give you a second opinion.
How HRT Evanston Care Begins
- A 15-minute call, free. We listen first and tell you honestly if BHRT is worth a visit.
- The first appointment (60 minutes) covers your symptoms, cycles or andropause history, medications and family risks. Labs are drawn before you leave.
- A written plan naming each hormone, its form and whether it is compounded or FDA-approved.
- Lab recheck around week 8 to 12, then adjustments.
Women can learn more on our page about menopause and hormone care for women; men can start with signs of low testosterone. Between visits, the Evanston Public Library has plenty of reading on menopause and midlife health.
HRT Evanston FAQs
Where do Evanston patients go for appointments?
To our Lincoln Park clinic at 2707 N Halsted St, about 10 miles south. Bliss MD has no Evanston office; our other clinic is in Hanover Park.
What does BHRT stand for?
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy: treatment with hormones built to match the structure of the ones your body makes, such as estradiol, progesterone and testosterone.
Do you offer hormone pellets?
Yes, for women and men, after a conversation about trade-offs. Pellets are compounded, are not FDA-approved, and can’t be removed once placed, so many patients start with a cream instead.
Did the FDA's 2025–2026 label changes make hormones safe for everyone?
No. The updated labels apply to FDA-approved menopause products and soften the old boxed warning, but your personal history still decides whether HRT fits you.
What if my last labs were "normal"?
Normal ranges are wide. Dr. Thakkar reads your results alongside your symptoms and aims for optimal, not just normal, with safety labs checked on a schedule.
Can I keep my current gynecologist or primary care doctor?
Yes. HRT Evanston patients often keep their existing doctors, and we’re glad to share labs and your plan with them if you ask.
How do I get started?
Book a free 15-minute discovery call online or phone (630) 289-0440. If hormones look worth exploring, we schedule your first visit and labs.
Ready When You Are
Schedule a Free 15-Minute Discovery Call
Bring your questions and any recent lab results. We’ll talk through your symptoms and the next step. Or phone (630) 289-0440.
Clinics Serving Evanston
Lincoln Park is the closer option for most of Evanston. Hanover Park, in the northwest suburbs, is roughly 30 miles away, close to 50 minutes by car, and some patients choose it when they work out that way.
Lincoln Park Clinic (nearest to Evanston)
2707 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614
Call (630) 289-0440 · Directions in Google Maps
Hanover Park Clinic
1802 Irving Park Rd, Hanover Park, IL 60133
Call (630) 289-0440 · Directions in Google Maps
Sources
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA Approves Labeling Changes to Menopausal Hormone Therapy Products, February 12, 2026. fda.gov
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Compounded Bioidentical Menopausal Hormone Therapy, 2023. acog.org
For education only, not personal medical advice. Responses to hormone therapy vary. Compounded hormones and pellets are not FDA-approved.
