Benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy
What is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Like other forms of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is designed to replace optimal hormone levels that decline as we age. Restoring lost hormones can relieve many symptoms that result from hormonal imbalance. What sets BHRT apart from traditional HRT is that bioidentical hormones are made to precisely mimic the hormones which are produced by the human body. On the other hands, traditional HRT utilizes synthetic hormones that are not the same chemical structure as naturally occurring hormones and BHRT. Synthetic hormones are mass-produced in different pre-determined strengths and marketed to the general populace. On the other hand, BHRT uses natural replacement hormones, often derived from plants, which have been engineered to be chemically identical to the natural hormones found in the human body. BHRT is customizable to each individual patient’s needs.
Ideal Timing of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
Since hormone fluctuation is unique to each individual, the answer to this question will vary for everybody. In a perfect world, every person would recognize the exact moment when their hormone levels start to decline. Yet, it often doesn’t work like this. It can take people a long time to recognize some of their symptoms are due to hormonal decline. Oftentimes, people will dismiss symptoms as normal signs of aging.
If there is an ideal time for a person to begin bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, it’s whenever that person notices they are suffering from symptoms that hinder their ability to enjoy a high quality of life. This isn’t to say that the negative effects of hormonal decline can be mitigated by BHRT alone; you can make lifestyle changes, such as improved diet and exercise, which can have a positive effect in reducing the symptoms as well. Yet, there is a possibility that such positive lifestyle changes will start to lose effectiveness as hormones further decline. At that point, combining the use of bioidentical hormones with a healthy lifestyle could be just the thing you need to correct the imbalance of your hormone levels that come with the onset of menopause and andropause.
Benefits of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
Like many other forms of medicine, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) comes with benefits and risks. However, the benefits of bioidentical hormones far outweigh the risks. Bio-identical hormones are most commonly prescribed to treat symptoms of hormonal imbalance in women and men, such as hot flashes, night sweats, loss of sex drive, fatigue, weight gain, mood swings, and irritability. Many doctors believe that women and men who opt for bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) instead of undergoing synthetic HRT will experience fewer adverse reactions. The side effects of BHRT are usually mild if present at all.
Some of the benefits of using bioidentical hormones include:
Reduced risk of osteoporosis and improved bone density
Reduced incidence of hot flashes and vaginal dryness
Better maintenance of muscle mass and strength
Improved cholesterol levels and reduced risk of heart disease
Reduced risk of endometrial cancer and breast cancer
Reduced risk of depression
Improved sleep
Better mood, concentration and memory
Improved libido
Reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease
Improved energy levels
Many patients opt for BHRT because it is not a one-size-fits-all approach to healthcare. Each bioidentical hormone prescription is custom-compounded based on each patient’s individual diagnostic results, making bioidentical hormones safer and more effective than synthetic hormones. Many doctors now believe that synthetic hormones care their most severe side effects due to the synthetic progestin component therein and/or the chemical structure of the synthetic hormones that is dissimilar to native human secreted hormones. Here are just some of the HRT side effects associated with synthetic hormones:
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Blood clots
Increased risk of heart disease
Increased risk of cancer
Please feel free to stop by Main Street Medical or send me an email at drreed@mainstreetmedaz.com to talk about BHRT and what benefits it may offer you! I look forward to speaking with you.
Dr. Cynthia Reed