Your body’s hormones control most of your body’s basic functions. They serve as an internal communication system between cells throughout the body. They coordinate everything from digestion and growth to your appetite, immune function, mood, and libido. Thus, even minor hormone imbalances can have a big impact on your health and well-being.
Often, when hormones are lowered or imbalanced, they turn to hormone replacement therapy to relieve symptoms. One such therapy, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), has received a lot of attention in recent years. It aims at “natural” solutions to hormonal problems. But what is BHRT and how is it different from other hormone replacement drugs?
What is BHRT?
BHRT can be used to treat both men and women when their hormone levels drop or become imbalanced. The therapy is often used to relieve the symptoms of pre menopause and menopause, age-related changes after 40 years and older. Bioidentical therapy can also be used to improve post-cancer treatment or to treat conditions such as:
insulin resistance
diseases of the adrenal glands and thyroid gland
osteoporosis
fibromyalgia
Bioidentical hormones are artificial hormones derived from plant estrogens that are chemically identical to those produced by the human body. Estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and metformin are among the most commonly reproduced and used in treatment.
Bioidentical hormones are offered for therapy in the form of pellets (concentrated capsules). This process is known as compounding. Making a custom pellet usually involves combining or modifying ingredients to suit the individual’s needs.
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a formulation of bioidentical hormones produced, including bioidentical estriol (a weak form of estrogen) and progesterone.
Hormone Therapy -Traditional and bioidentical hormones, the difference:
Bioidentical hormones differ from hormones used in traditional hormone replacement therapy in that they are molecularly identical to those naturally produced by our bodies and are made from plant estrogens. The hormones used in traditional therapy are produced from synthetic hormones, and leave a fairly pronounced mark on the health of patients, have side reactions and symptoms.
Proponents of bioidentical hormones are convinced that their products are safer because they are “natural” and are identical in composition to the hormones that the body naturally produces.
Benefits of bio hormones
Bio hormone therapy is commonly used as a person ages and hormone levels decline, especially for premenopausal or menopausal women. Therapy is often used to increase hormone levels that have decreased and improve moderate to severe symptoms of menopause, including:
tides
night sweats
mood changes
memory loss
weight gain
sleep problems
loss of interest in sex or pain during sex
In addition to relieving symptoms, hormone replacement therapy can also reduce the risk of diabetes, tooth decay and loss, and cataract remission. There is additional research that therapy can help improve skin thickness, hydration, and elasticity, and even reduce wrinkles.
For cancer patients who have undergone treatment affecting estrogen levels, biohormone therapy has been shown to improve their overall well-being and quality of life. In a study, post-cancer patients undergoing bioidentical hormone therapy found relief from treatment-related symptoms such as migraines, urinary incontinence, low libido, and insomnia. The study also found that their breast cancer recurrence rates were below average.
Common side effects when using bio hormones may include:
acne
bloating
weight gain
fatigue
mood swings
increased facial hair in women
Discuss the pros and cons with your doctor before using any hormone replacement therapy.
Talk to your doctor about which formulation is best for you and your lifestyle, symptoms, complaints. After you install the bio pellet, you probably need to regularly observe the reaction of your body, sensations.