The Advantages of Bioidentical Hormones

Menopause may be an inevitable fact of life for many women, but suffering through does not have to be. As the body shifts away from child-bearing towards mature aging, many physical and emotional changes can occur. On the positive side, as we enter into our “wisdom years,” we can gain perspective, knowledge, and even a quiet confidence that we might not have felt when we were younger.

Unfortunately, the hormonal shifts that occur during menopause can cause some uncomfortable and often irritating symptoms. The good news? Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can make a huge difference, making menopause a positive, life-affirming transition rather than an unwanted change to be endured.

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What Happens to Hormones During Menopause?

Our body uses chemical messengers called hormones to support vital functions in the body. When a woman enters menopause, her hormones shift to enable the transition away from fertility. This means that hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and even testosterone may drop, or their levels may become erratic. These changes can start years before menopause during the time of perimenopause.

This can cause a variety of symptoms and physical changes including:

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is designed to replace these hormones to help make the transition into menopause smoother and easier. The problem is, traditional HRT uses synthetic hormones that aren’t the same as the hormones our bodies make.

What Is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is a type of hormone replacement therapy that uses bioidentical hormones instead of synthetic ones that don’t match our body’s hormones. A bioidentical hormone is a one that is identical in its molecular structure to an endogenous hormone, which means a hormone made in the human body.

Like HRT, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can improve and alleviate the symptoms of menopause. With BHRT, the side effects are much reduced than with HRT, because you are using hormones that are exactly like the ones produced in your own body.

Hormones that might be supplemented with BHRT include estrogens (estrone, estradiol, estriol), progesterone, testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). A compounding pharmacy is a special type of pharmacy where BHRT remedies can be custom-made; thus bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can be tailored precisely to your needs and does not have to be one-size-fits-all.

Bloodwork and/or saliva testing might be utilized to determine which hormones are out of balance and to follow up on progress once BHRT is started.

What Are the Benefits of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)?

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can reduce or eliminate symptoms of menopause and help improve health throughout the lifespan. Because the hormones are bioidentical, BHRT generally produces fewer side effects and adverse reactions. Many women may not experience any side effects at all. Benefits of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy include:

With bioidentical hormones, your body isn’t trying to process slightly different forms of hormones. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy utilizes plant sources such as yam and soybeans to develop hormones that are the same in chemical structure as the ones your own body makes.

This means that side effects are much less likely. BHRT is also safer to take long-term than traditional HRT.

Health Benefits of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

Estrogen levels lower during menopause, which can impact the body in many ways. For one thing, as women enter menopause, more osteoclasts, which break down bones, are created. With replenished estrogen levels, more osteoblasts are produced to create new bone fells. This means that BHRT can lower the risk of osteopenia and osteoporosis.

You may also get more energy as your hormones become balanced. With more energy, your love life might also improve. But it’s more than that – menopause can make sex uncomfortable or painful. BHRT can help resolve the issues causing these problems, renewing your sex life.

Another common physical symptom of perimenopause and menopause is the hot flash. This is when your body’s thermostat goes out of whack and you end up feeling way too hot, sometimes suddenly. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can rebalance your inner thermostat so hot flashes are no longer interfering with your lifestyle.

Mental Health Benefits of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

Mood problems and memory loss are frustrating and sometimes embarrassing side effect of going through menopause. If you are suffering from mood swings, depression, anxiety, or brain fog, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can help. It can help improve memory and mood, helping you feel more like your “old self” (or younger self, as it were).

Many women also report better sleep while taking bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. This can have a tremendous impact on mood and energy levels.

Beauty Benefits of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

You may not realize that hormone depletion during and after menopause can actually negatively impact your appearance. The good news is that bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can actually turn back the clock when it comes to your skin and hair. BHRT improves the production of collagen and elastin, which helps to firm and tone the skin.

Some women find that they start to develop some male-pattern baldness after menopause, such as a widow’s peak. With estrogen replacement via BHRT, you can regain new hair.

Thus, BHRT can help:

Getting Started with Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can be delivered in a variety of forms, which include pills, topical lotions, and pellets that are surgically inserted. The BHRT should start to positively impact your systems in about a week to ten days. You should feel more energetic, positive, and ready to go.

Enjoy an Easier Menopause with BHRT

At Plano Women’s Healthcare, we are passionate about helping women with perimenopause and menopause. Our caring and friendly all-women team will help you navigate this critical stage of life with ease and grace. With our custom-tailored bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, we can help you feel better safely and without the side effects of traditional HRT.

Want to feel better during menopause? Then you might be a great candidate for bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.

Call us today at 972-596-2470 To Schedule a Consultation

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