What is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy? 

 

These days, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a regular treatment for both men and women. Traditional hormone replacement therapy gained popularity through the 80’s and 90’s as a way to treat imbalanced hormones in the body. Although misunderstood research caused a decline in popularity in the 2000s, HRT has returned as a safe and common treatment due to advancements in scientific knowledge. 

 

If you have been advised to get HRT, you now have an even safer natural option! Read on to understand what hormones do and why it is critical to use bioidentical hormone replacement therapy to replenish your supply even as it’s declining. 

 

What do Hormones do? 

 

Hormones are naturally occurring molecules that regulate everything going on in our bodies. Boston Direct Health says they are like “a combination of an air-traffic controller, an orchestra conductor, a football quarterback, and a party planner.” As chemical messengers, they serve as the internal communications system that tells all the other parts of the body how to function. 

 

But our hormone levels drop at various points in our lives, with age, medical conditions, stress, and environmental toxins. When hormones are too low or out of balance, unpleasant symptoms occur. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is an option for easing these troublesome symptoms.

 

But easing annoying symptoms from menopause is not the only reason to consider bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. 

 

Why Do I Need to Replace My Hormones? 

 

The most common use of hormone replacement therapy is during or before menopause. It can be used to help balance estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels. Men can also experience a loss of hormones as they age which is called andropause, but more commonly known as”male menopause.” 

 

Females

 

U.S. Pharmacist reports that up to 33% of a woman’s life can be spent in a hormone-deficient state. This not only causes unpleasant symptoms but also puts you at an increased risk of osteoporosis. Symptoms of lowered hormones will look differently for every individual but could include: 

 

• Depression
• Rage
• Lack of energy
• Migraines
• Lowered libido
• Anxiety
• Negativity
• Trouble sleeping
• Hot flashes

 

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can help you feel happy and healthy again. 

 

Males

 

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is not just for women. Men typically experience a 1-3% loss of testosterone as they age. The symptoms accompanying andropause, also known as male menopause, ADAM (androgen deficiency in the aging male), and PADAM (partial androgen deficiency in the aging male), can range from:

 

• Decreased sex drive, sex performance, and stamina
• Increased weight gain, fatigue, hair loss, and cholesterol levels 
• Bone and cardiovascular dysfunctions

 

Michael Brawer, MD., presents a full explanation of testosterone replacement in his article in Reviews in Urology. 

 

What are my Options for Hormone Replacement Therapy? 

 

You want to give yourself the best life and best healthcare. Knowing you are your own best advocate, understand that you have options when it comes to hormone replacement therapy. If you see a doctor about HRT, you’ll likely be presented with two options. 

 

Traditional Synthetic Hormones

 

The hormones used in traditional HRT are made from the urine of pregnant horses plus synthetic hormones. Traditional synthetic hormones do not match the exact shape of natural hormones. Thus, they don’t always react well with the human body. One advantage to using traditional hormones may be the availability of more past research, but “well researched” doesn’t necessarily mean better. The patient can still see poor results. 

 

Bioidentical Hormones

 

Bioidentical hormones are derived from plant estrogens (yams, cactus, and soy) and are biologically, structurally, and chemically identical to those our bodies naturally produce (remember, your naturally produced hormones are also chemicals). Boston Direct Health explains that when bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is used, the hormones bind perfectly into their corresponding receptor cells because the bioidentical hormone’s molecular shape is also identical to your naturally occurring hormones. 

 

Is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy Safe? 

 

As mentioned above, the use of hormone replacement therapy declined significantly after a study in the early 2000’s seemed to indicate negative side effects. The report claimed that HRT was causing an increased risk of breast cancer. This information had far-reaching effects, and the rate of HRT administration fell drastically across the globe. 

 

However, follow-up studies debunked this misinformation and found that HRT and risk for breast cancer were not connected. HRT is now commonplace again with newer treatments and safe hormone management options, specifically Bioidentical Hormones. 

 

If you feel you may need hormone replacement therapy, talk to your doctor about all the options available. At True Life Medicine, we can help you determine whether or not you can simply balance your hormones naturally or whether you need additional help through bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.