arrow Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy – Experts Answer Your Main Questions About BHRT

Menopause is the stage in a woman's life where there is a natural decrease of female hormones (estrogens) and subsequent increase of male hormones (androgens). This change wreaks havoc in a woman's body. It is different for every woman, but for some it can be downright unbearable. For decades, women have had the option to balance this hormonal change by taking synthetic hormones, unknowingly exposing themselves to many potential risks. Many are still unaware that there is a much healthier option, a more natural option, the option of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.

1) What is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy?

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (also known as natural hormone replacement therapy) is the treatment of the symptoms of menopause through the use of bioidentical hormones (instead of synthetic hormones).

2) What is the difference between bioidentical and synthetic hormones?

Synthetic hormones are manufactured in laboratories, for mass consumption, in other words, one-pill-fits-all. Because they are synthetic and not natural, they can produce unwanted side effects like nausea, fluid retention, and dizziness. And there are also potential dangers like the increased risk of breast or uterine cancer.      

Bioidentical, or natural hormones, on the other hand, are extracted from plant sources like soy and wild yams. They possess a molecular structure that is identical or “bioidentical” to that of the hormones produced by our bodies. This is why they will not produce any of the unwanted side effects caused by synthetic hormones, nor will they increase the risk of any kind of cancer. On the contrary, they are extremely beneficial to the female body undergoing menopause because they provide relief from the uncomfortable symptoms experienced at this stage.

3) What is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy used for?

Bioidentical hormone replacement treatment can be used for women in perimenopause (the stage of gradually falling and fluctuating hormone levels, which often begins in the early 40s), those in the actual stage of menopause itself, or post-menopause, who need to replenish the female hormones that are lacking during this time, as well as some relief from the symptoms of hormonal imbalance such as hot flashes, night sweats, depression, moodiness, and more.

4) Which are the symptoms that are relieved with bioidentical hormone replacement therapy?

When it comes to menopause, no two women are alike. Women may suffer any combination of the following symptoms:

• Irritability

• Mood swings

• Hot flashes, night sweats and/or cold flashes

• Irregular periods

• Leg cramps

• Disturbing memory lapses or loss

• Trouble sleeping

• Incontinence, especially upon sneezing, laughing

• Acne

• Aching, sore joints

• Water retention

• Lower sex drive

• Weight gain especially in hips, waist and stomach

• Facial hair growth

• Breast tenderness

• Depression, anxiety

• Ovarian cysts

• Osteoporosis and bone loss

• Lack of concentration, foggy and fuzzy thinking

• Yeast infections

5) Is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy right for me?

Even if you believe you've experienced most of the symptoms listed above, you must make sure you are truly hormone deficient. How do you know? With a simple saliva hormone test, your physician can determine if there is a hormone deficiency present, and therefore indicate bioidentical hormone replacement treatment.

6) Which hormones are involved in menopause?

The hormones estrogen and progesterone control your monthly cycle and prepare your body for pregnancy every month. When pregnancy does not occur, your body releases an egg and you have a period. It is the reduced levels of these hormones, which produce the symptoms of menopause. Menopause is simply a period of adjustment to lower hormone levels in your body. The purpose of bioidentical hormone replacement treatment is to replenish these hormones that your body may be lacking and help it reach hormonal balance. By restoring the proper levels of estrogen, your body can deal with the problems experienced during menopause, such as night sweats and hot flushes. On the other hand, progesterone is usually given with estrogen to protect the lining of the uterus. Also, progesterone is essential to prevent estrogen dominance, when there is an imbalance and excess of estrogen. It is this excess of estrogen that causes symptoms like mood swings, depression, and bloating.

7) What forms of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy are available?

There are basically 4 forms:

a) Capsules: it is the most convenient form of treatment for the patient; however, some hormones may be rendered useless by the action of gut and liver enzymes as they pass through and/or may become quickly protein bound and unable to be released at the target site. This form should be used for those hormones who will not suffer this effect.

b) Transdermal creams: a great, non-invasive way to administer BHRT hormones into the body. Most are absorbed quickly onto the surface of red blood cells and liberated within one or two seconds where they attach to target cells (breast, uterus etc.)

c) Troches and sub-lingual drops: these are slowly dissolved in the mouth and directly   absorbed into the bloodstream, as there are many blood capillaries and veins close the surface of the mouth.

d) Vaginal creams: convenient for women who dislike the taste of troches

Surely, many of your questions have been answered. And surely, there are some that remain unanswered. So, before you make your final decision, consult your physician and inform him/her of your interest in bioidentical hormone replacement treatment. You should prepare a list a of symptoms, as well as your medical history. This information, together with the results of the saliva hormone test will be useful to determine if you qualify for bioidentical hormone replacement treatment. Remember you also have the option to consult bioidentical hormone doctors. They are qualified to answer your questions, and they can tell you how bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can help greatly improve your quality of life.



 Contact Kenton Bruice, M.D. with your questions about bioidentical hormone treatment.