BIOIDENTICAL HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY
Integrative health SERVICES
THE IMPORTANCE OF HORMONES
While hormones are essential to reproduction, they are also fundamental to the development of all body systems.
They help regulate growth and development, hunger and metabolism, body temperature and blood pressure, mood and stress, sleep quality, and sexual desire and fertility.
Many factors can influence hormonal imbalance, including perimenopause and postmenopausal syndrome, chronic disease, stress, poor diet, toxins, and lifestyle.
Hormonal imbalance can be treated by finding the underlying cause and customizing a hormonal treatment plan to restore your health and quality of life.
WHAT IS BHRT?
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) can be used to treat men and women when their hormone levels become unbalanced. Bioidentical hormones are plant-derived estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone which are chemically identical to those in our bodies.
Bioidentical hormones come in the form of pills, patches, creams, gels, injections, and pellets.
TRADITIONAL HORMONE REPLACEMENT VS BHRT
Traditional HRT utilizes the urine of pregnant horses and other synthetic hormones to treat patients, but BHRT utilizes hormones derived from plant estrogens which are chemically identical to the hormones in our bodies.
BENEFITS OF BHRT
BHRT is typically used to improve peri and post-menopausal symptoms which include:
- hot flashes
- night sweats
- mood changes
- memory loss
- weight gain
- sleep issues
- low interest in sex or painful sex
In addition to treating perimenopause and menopause-related symptoms, BHRT is also used to improve symptoms of other conditions such as:
- insulin resistance
- tooth loss
- cataracts
- adrenal and thyroid disorders
- osteoporosis
- fibromyalgia
- cancer-related symptoms
BHRT also the following has cosmetic benefits:
- improves skin texture
- improves skin hydration
- improves skin elasticity
- decreases skin wrinkles
- promotes healthy hair
SIDE EFFECTS AND RISKS OF BHRT
| While the FDA has approved some preparations of bioidentical estradiol and progesterone, it hasn’t approved all compounded bioidentical hormones Research has shown that hormone replacement therapy, in general, may increase the risk for certain conditions including:
Other side effects of BHRT:
The FDA recommends that if you choose any form of hormone replacement therapy you use the lowest dose possible and for the shortest amount of time. |
STARTING BHRT
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Ali to discuss which form of BHRT may be best for you and your lifestyle. You’ll likely need to be monitored regularly once you begin BHRT to evaluate your body’s response without using blood and saliva tests.