BioIdentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

Unable to locate Global Block

Your body’s hormones control most of your basic bodily functions. They serve as an internal communication system between cells throughout the body. They coordinate everything from digestion and growth to your appetite, immune function, mood, and libido. So, when your hormones are out of balance, even slightly, it can have a big impact on your health and well-being.

Often, when people’s hormones drop or become unbalanced, they turn to hormone replacement therapies to ease symptoms. One such therapy, BioIdentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT), has gotten a lot of attention in recent years. It promises a “natural” solution to hormone issues. But what exactly is BHRT, and how’s it different from other hormone replacement therapies?

BHRT can be used to treat men and women when their hormone levels drop or become unbalanced. It’s most frequently used to ease symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. It may also be used to improve symptoms of cancer treatment or to treat conditions such as:

Insulin resistance
Adrenal and thyroid disorders
Osteoporosis
Fibromyalgia

Bioidentical hormones are manmade hormones derived from plant estrogens that are chemically identical to those the human body produces. Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are among those most commonly replicated and used in treatment. Bioidentical hormones come in various forms, including:

Pills
Patches
Creams
Gels
Injections

Benefits of BioIdentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
BHRT is typically used as people age and hormone levels drop, particularly for women who are in perimenopause or menopause. It’s used to increase the levels of the hormones that have dropped and improve moderate to severe menopause symptoms, including:

Hot flashes
Night sweats
Mood changes
Memory loss
Weight gain
Sleep issues
Loss of interest in sex or pain during sex

In addition to helping with symptoms, hormone replacement therapy may also reduce your risk for diabetes, tooth loss, and cataracts. There’s some evidence that it can help improve skin thickness, hydration, and elasticity, and even reduce wrinkles.

For those with cancer who have undergone treatments that affect their estrogen levels, BHRT has been shown to be effective in improving their general well-being and quality of life. In one study, people with cancer who underwent BHRT found relief from treatment-related symptoms such as migraines, incontinence, low libido, and insomnia. The study also found their recurrence rate of breast cancer was no higher than average.

Why You Should Consider BioIdentical Hormone Replacement Therapy?
The symptoms of hormone imbalance can be frustrating to experience, but bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, or BHRT, may help patients live a normal life. The benefits of hormone replacement therapy may begin to work within four weeks as the bioidentical hormones enter the bloodstream. Some patients begin to feel the benefits of hormone therapy right away, while others won’t experience hormone therapy benefits for a few months. Full hormone optimization can take up to six months.