Is Bioidentical Hormone Therapy the
Best Choice in Your Case?
Every person is unique and experiences discomfort and illness in different ways. There are general symptoms that the majority of people experience depending on the case, but the magnitude and the way these affect the daily life and health of the individual depend solely on each person's general health condition, strength and the way each system processes the information.
Hormones are substances produced by your body and conducted through your blood stream to a specific organ with the mission of stimulating it. Hormones deteriorate and lose balance with aging. Some symptoms of hormone imbalance are:
- Fuzzy thinking
- Itchy, dry skin
- Mood swings
- Weight gain
- Irritability
- Night sweats
- Sleep problems
- Fatigue
- Low libido
- Confusion
- Vaginal dryness
- Dark pigments on face
- Aging skin
A Bioidentical Hormone Treatment will substitute your body's youthful hormones so that many of its basic functions are sustained within time. It was developed as a more natural way to alleviate and treat aches and conditions related to female and male menopause as well as for treating other illnesses.
Although it has been used for quite some time now and it has become very popular globally, there are still questions about its reliability, safety and effectiveness due to its natural and individually tailored basis.
In contrast with a synthetic hormone treatment, in which the hormones are alien to the person's body, thus, producing severe side effects, a Bioidentical Hormone Therapy designs a treatment based on the person's specific conditions, symptoms and case. This treatment is individually adjusted to each patient's body's chemistry, covering and dealing with every single symptom. Besides dealing with personal mixtures and doses, the schedules for taking the treatment should be individualized based on your particular situation too.
This unique, tailored treatment is possible because Bioidentical Hormone Treatment uses natural sources to create the hormones, making it possible to match any body's natural ones to perfection and in this way protecting against the effects of aging and reversing efficiently many of the negative sides of hormone imbalance.
Bioidentical hormones are taken from soybeans and yams, pigs or horses and altered in a laboratory to match the human ones: estradiol, estriol, estrone, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA and pregnenolone. This is how they get to be chemically and molecularly identical to the ones produced naturally by your body, thus, diminishing side effects during the treatment.
It makes a lot of sense to think that this fact, combined with a regular, balanced and adequate nutritional, lifestyle and health plan, will make any health treatment easier to handle and assimilate physically and mentally. When hormones lose its balance, your body is incapable of responding at its best rate even when practicing healthy habits, once every aspect is combined and improved; your energy, strength, ability, mood and health will rise to its best.
Among some of the long- term benefits provided by a natural hormone treatment we can count:
Weight control- as you get older, it is more difficult to maintain and control your weight. Somehow, at some point, your metabolism slows down even when you follow a regular exercise schedule and diet. Balancing your body's hormones to youthful levels will ease the road back to your perfect weight.
Endurance and Longevity- the more balanced your hormones are, the healthier you will be. It is extremely important to enjoy, be productive and be active to the maximum in every stage of your life.
Healthy libido- this is directly related to hormone's response levels. Symptoms like vaginal dryness in women, discomfort, low interest, less firmness in men, hair loss and dry skin can be diminished when balancing hormones, making you feel attractive, sensual and alive again.
Health in general- beyond controlling and diminishing characteristics symptoms of menopause and other conditions, a Bioidentical Hormone Treatment can be key to achieving and maintaining long- term health and general wellbeing as there are signs pointing to the fact that it may prevent the appearance of chronic illnesses like osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, cancer, Alzheimer's, strokes and be helpful in hysterectomy cases.
However, as mentioned above, there are doubts and questions regarding several aspects of a Bioidentical Hormone Therapy's nature and logic, but it can be very beneficial depending on the person's case. This treatment is not recommended for every one and only a certified physician can confirm if it is the right choice for you.
If you live a stressful daily routine, you may develop hormone imbalance signs early in life, in this case and after a thorough examination and consultation, the doctor may confirm that a Bioidentical Hormone Therapy might be of help. These natural hormones are extremely physiologically active elements with a potent effect on you while being gentler to your body.
Bioidentical Hormone treatment is recommended for patients experiencing female or male pre- menopause, menopause or post- menopause symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbance, vaginal dryness or itching, memory loss, mood swings, weight gain, stress, fatigue, loss of muscular mass, low levels of energy and low libido.
It is, however, not recommended for patients with family or personal history of breast cancer or uterine cancer. The corresponding tests are necessary prior to engaging into this treatment, even more if, for example, the woman presents signs of abnormal vaginal bleeding such as extreme heavy periods or spotting between periods.
A Bioidentical Hormone Treatment may increase the occurrence of migraines, gallbladder disease or liver disease, so if it is chosen as method, make sure your doctor knows about your condition to recommend one that will lessen these symptoms.
Patients with heart disease such as coronary artery disease must avoid this treatment as any kind of hormone therapy can increase the danger of heart attacks. Smokers are also banned from the group of possible candidates for this treatment.
Women with a history of deep vein thrombosis, meaning, blood masses or clots in the veins, even during pregnancy or while taking birth control pills, should not engage in any kind of hormone therapy.
There are several and varied presentations and products used in a Bioidentical Hormone Therapy and the best one for you will depend on the kind of symptoms to be treated. Vaginal creams, vaginal tablets and vaginal rings are prescribed for cases of vaginal dryness. Pills or skin patches, also known as transdermal therapy, are preferred for the treatment of hot flashes.
In every case, while taking any hormone therapy, the patient
should use the lowest necessary dose and for the shortest period of
time that will take efficient care of the symptoms.
Contact Kenton Bruice,
M.D. with your questions about bioidentical hormone
therapy.
