What is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Like other forms of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is designed to replace the hormones that we lose while in the grips of menopause. Restoring lost hormones can relieve us of the menopausal symptoms that result from hormonal imbalance. What sets BHRT apart from traditional HRT that uses synthetic hormones is the quality of the hormones. 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.

Ideal Timing of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

Since menopause can be so unique to each individual, the answer to this question will vary for everybody. In a perfect world, every person would recognize the exact moment they entered menopausal transition. Yet, it often doesn’t work like this. It can take people a long time to recognize some of the feelings they have experienced as being symptoms of menopause. Oftentimes, people will write off 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 menopausal symptoms that hinder their ability to enjoy a high quality of life. This isn’t to say that the negative effects of menopause 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 of menopause. Yet, there’s a good chance that such positive lifestyle changes will start to lose effectiveness as you get further into menopausal transition. 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 libido, fatigue, weight gain, mood swings, and irritability. Many doctors practitioners 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. 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