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The Pros and Cons of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy is a great way to help our hormones control many of the basic functions of our bodies. They are an internal communication network between the body’s cells. Some of the roles that hormones coordinate include digestion, mood, appetite, immune function, and libido.

Furthermore, when there is an imbalance in your hormones, it can affect health and entire well-being. When people experience a hormone drop or imbalance, they use hormone replacement therapies.

Examples of the therapies are bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT).

The popularity of BHRT has gone up in recent years, as it promises a natural remedy to hormonal issues. But what is BHRT, and what makes it different from other therapies for hormone replacement?

What is Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy?

The therapy helps to treat people whose hormone levels decline or become unbalanced. Its main purpose is to ease menopause and perimenopause symptoms. It can also help to improve cancer treatment symptoms or treat various conditions, including:

Insulin resistance
Osteoporosis
Adrenal and thyroid disorders
Fibromyalgia

Bio-identical hormones are usually manmade. They come from plant estrogens which have a chemical identity similar to those found in the human body. Estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone are some of the hormones that undergo replication to help in treatment.

Bio-identical hormones are available in the following forms:

Patches
Pills
Gels
Creams
Injections

in addition, discuss with the doctor on what form can suit you and your lifestyle. Once you start bio-identical hormone replacement, the doctor may need to track you often to see how your body responds.

But the FDA cautions against using blood and saliva tests to track hormone levels. Such tests only state the levels of hormones at a specific time and may vary during the rest of the day.

Why People Use Bio-identical Hormones

As people age, their bodies experience a decline in the levels of various hormones. These hormones are estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone. The drop in the level of these hormones can cause certain symptoms.

Some of the common effects of reduced hormones that are common among woman who are in their post menopause phase are the following:

Night sweats
Vaginal dryness
Hot flashes
Pain during sex
Fatigue
Low sex drive
Weight gain
Problems sleeping
Mood swings
Memory loss
Floggy thinking
Loss of muscle mass

Hormone therapy is the treatment for these conditions as it replaces the hormones. After using hormone therapy, hormone levels rise, and symptoms improve as well.

Recommendations from national societies and medical experts state that people should consider the benefits and risks of both bioidentical and conventional hormones. Your physician can share with you the available options and guide you on what to use depending on what you prefer.

BHRT’s Components

Drug companies make some of the bio-identical hormones. But, pharmacies under the physician’s orders, can make compounded bio-identical hormones. Compounding is the name of this process, and it involves combining ingredients to meet an individual’s needs.

For instance, the United States Foods and Drug Administration (FDA) has endorsed some bio-identical hormones such as progesterone and bio-identical estriol. But, the FDA is yet to approve compounded bio-identical hormones.

Companies manufacture and sell most bio-identical hormones without any controls for quality, safety, and purity. After that, most medical organizations don’t support the marketing and use of unauthorized bio-identical hormones.

Those marketing compounded bio-identical hormones usually claim that they are more effective and safer compared to synthetic hormones. But most doctors, along with the FDA, caution that these claims don’t have a strong research backup. They also caution on the possible danger of these hormones in certain cases.

Conventional vs. Bio-identical Hormones

There is a difference between bio-identical hormones and those used in conventional hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Bio-identical hormones are chemically identical to those our bodies secrete naturally. They come from plant estrogens.

But, the hormones for traditional HRT come from pregnant horses’ urine and other synthetic hormones. Those who support bio-identical hormones claim that the products are safe. This is because the composition of these hormones is identical to the natural hormones that the body produces.

But most experts believe that HRT and BHRT have similar risks. The risk may even be higher in compounded bio-identical hormones. For instance, there is still no proper evidence to prove that BHRT has more efficacy than HRT.

BHRT Pros

BHRT is useful among women who age and experience a drop in hormone levels. Similarly, it helps to increase the lower levels of hormones. Bio-identical hormone replacement improves both severe and moderate menopause symptoms such as:

Night sweats
Mood changes
Weight gain
Hot flashes
Sleep problems
Pain during sex
Loss of interest in sex

Besides, hormone replacement can reduce the risk of tooth loss, diabetes, and cataracts. Studies also show that it can improve the skin’s hydration, thickness, and elasticity. It can reduce wrinkles, as well.

However, for cancer patients who have undergone treatment that impacts the level of estrogen, BHRT can improve their quality of life and general well-being.In other words, One study showed that BHRT provided relief to people with cancer treatment symptoms like low libido, migraines, insomnia, and incontinence. Furthermore, the study established that the breast cancer recurrence rate was not higher than average.

BHRT Cons

The FDA approved the preparations of progesterone and bio-identical estradiol. Therefore, it’s yet to approve compounded bio-identical hormones. Research shows that hormone replacement therapy increases the risk for the following conditions:

Stroke
Blood clots
Heart disease
Gallbladder disease
Breast cancer

BHRT may have certain side effects, especially in the beginning, as the body adjusts to the new hormones. BHRT’s common side effects are:

- Bloating
- Fatigue
- Mood changes
- Acne
- Weight gain

Increased facial hair among women

Similarly, most people can’t go for BHRT or other forms of hormone replacement. The hormones’ risks and possible side effects may vary in women based on their health history. Therefore, be sure to discuss the benefits and downsides with the doctor before opting for any hormone replacement therapy.

Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy

Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy may help people with unbalanced or low hormone levels. However, bio-identical hormone therapy, has some risks and side effects that you should talk through with the doctor. If you opt for BHRT, use the lowest amount that can prove effective within the shortest time.

In conclusion, if you would like to schedule a free consultation, contact us today, or call (719)633-5255 to learn more information about Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement!

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) at Flying Horse Medical Center Bio Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy

9 Things You Need to Know About Hormone Replacement Therapy For Women

Post-menopausal women who receive hormone replacement therapy have half the chances of contracting coronary disease compared to those who don’t. Estrogen replacement through hormone replacement therapy plays a huge role in the management and prevention of osteoporosis.

As we age, we experience exciting opportunities and difficult challenges, especially regarding our bodies. For most women, one that gives them a pause is menopause. This is a time that marks the end of the menstrual cycle, but it can bring about unwelcome symptoms due to falling hormone levels.

For years, doctors have prescribed hormone replacement therapy to treat menopause symptoms. It’s still effective in reducing the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis.

Here are a few things you need to know about hormone replacement therapy for women.

1. Better Control of Mood Swings

If you have trouble with mood swings, chances are that it might be due to hormonal changes. Feeling irritable for no reason or not being in control of your emotions can be frustrating for women who are already in menopause.

The good thing is that hormonal replacement therapy can help stabilize your mood swings. Bringing your estrogen and other hormones to their optimum level is how you accomplish stabling mood swings.

2. Find the Right Doctor

If you believe that you’re the right candidate for hormonal replacement therapy, it’s vital that you find the right doctor. Just like any other service, finding the right doctor is key to getting your desired results. If your obstetrician-gynecologist isn’t familiar with hormonal replacement, or you’re not comfortable, you can always find a new one.

Take note that hormone regulation is a balancing act. It’s essential to seek the help of someone who has done it before.

3. Be Conversant with Bio-identical

Do you have any knowledge about bio-identical? There are tons of misconceptions when it comes to bio-identical.

There are those who believe that the hormones are natural and safe compared to other hormones approved by the FDA. However, this is subject to debate.

Different marketing campaigns brand these hormones like the ones naturally produced in the body.

It’s important that you check with a medical expert to determine whether bio-identical is a viable treatment option. Also, seek medical attention if you’ve got chronic joint pain, mood swings or poor sleep quality

4. Can You Get Custom Hormones?

If you’re hesitant to try the hormones because you want to treat specific problems, there’s no cause for alarm. If you’ve vaginal dryness, you can treat the condition using hormone replacement therapy that only works in this area.

5. Compounded Hormones Aren’t FDA Tested

Some women may knowingly or unknowingly choose to use compounded hormones. However, most are worried about using them due to their lack of FDA approval. The hormones are tailored to each patient needs, and are usually put together by a pharmacist.

They’re put together specifically for each person, they lack the testing and supervision of the FDA. Also, the compounding of the hormones varies from pharmacy to pharmacy. This is why some women choose to avoid them.

6. You Don’t Have to Get Your Hormones Tested

Many people think that it’s necessary for a doctor to check hormone levels before prescribing the right dosage. However, this isn’t the case.

Medical organizations and doctors don’t believe that it’s necessary to get tested before you begin hormone replacement.

However, they’ll recommend that you get your thyroid checked if it has the same symptoms as those of menopause. This eliminates any possibilities of thyroid condition before moving to hormone replacement treatment.

7. Start Pre-Menopause

The cause of menopause is due to the lack of a menstrual cycle. The symptoms can have a significant impact on a woman’s body, especially their emotions.

The shift in hormones will have some women embrace hormone replacement therapy. However, it’s essential for them to start pre-menopause as this prevents imbalances early on.

8. Overactive Bladder

A lot of women suffer from overactive bladder. An overactive bladder is a medical condition that causes the urge to urinate with no control. While most women feel self-conscious about this condition, hormone replacement therapy is effective in

managing the symptoms associated with the condition. Some of the women who suffer from overactive bladder say that the symptoms tend to get worse as they approach menopause.

9. An Annual Doctors Visit

Older women have a higher risk of developing menopause health-related complications. Therefore, they’ve to visit a doctor at least once a year. A medical expert is in a better position to advise whether or not to continue with hormone replacement therapy.

It’s also best that you speak to your doctor about any concerns you may have about the treatment.

Learn More about Hormone Replacement Therapy for Women

What stands out about hormone replacement therapy for women is that it can ease the negative effects of menopause.

Some of the symptoms of reduction of hormone levels aren’t easy to spot until you see the side effects. This is common in the case of osteoporosis.

Getting a medical check-up once a year can help with the onset of menopause, and avoid imbalanced hormones in the future. Depending on the symptoms, direct medication is necessary. It is especially highly effective for a condition such as an over-reactive bladder.

Are the menopause-related symptoms weighing you down? Contact us today to book a consultation session and to get professional assistance to ease the symptoms.

Category: Hormone Therapy