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The hormones in your body are responsible for essential body functions. They are the medium of internal communication between cells in the overall body. They balance everything from appetite, immune function, digestion, mood, and growth to libido. The imbalance in these hormones can have a major impact on the function of your body. Even the slightest imbalance can affect your well-being. Often people opt for hormone replacement therapies when they suffer from hormonal imbalance. One of those therapies is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. It has become so much popular in recent years because it offers a natural solution to imbalance issues.
But what is BHRT? How is it different from other therapies?
Keep reading to learn everything about the BHRT, its benefits, and more.
What is BHRT?
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy helps treat unbalanced hormone levels in men and women. This therapy is often used to reduce the symptoms of menopause and perimenopause. It may also assist in symptoms of cancer treatment and other conditions like:
- Adrenal and thyroid disorders
- Insulin resistance
- Osteoporosis
- Fibromyalgia
Bioidentical hormones are derived from estrogens made artificially. They are chemically identical to the hormones that occur naturally in the human body. Progesterone, testosterone, and estrogen are among the most common identical hormones and used in these treatments. Bioidentical hormones are available in various forms, including:
- Pills
- Creams
- Gels
- Injections
- Patches
Benefits of BHRT
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is often used by people entering old age or as the hormone levels in their bodies drop. This therapy is beneficial for women who are in menopause or perimenopause. It helps increase the hormone levels and bring the levels back to normal. This therapy also improves the severe to moderate symptoms of menopause. These symptoms can include:
- Hot flashes
- Mood changes
- Night sweats
- Memory loss
- Sleep issues
- Weight gain
- Loss of interest in sex
- Pain during sex
Along with helping in symptoms, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy also decreases the risk of tooth loss, cataracts, and diabetes. Many studies also say that it improves hydration, skin thickness, elasticity, and reduces wrinkles.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is also effective for patients who have gone under cancer treatments affecting their estrogen levels. It can improve their quality of life and general well-being. In other studies, BHRT also provided relief to patients with cancer-treatment-related symptoms.
BHRT can help with symptoms like incontinence, migraines, insomnia, and low libido.
Traditional Vs. Bioidentical HRT
Bioidentical hormones are not similar to those in traditional hormone replacement therapy. Bioidentical hormones are identical chemically to the natural hormones produced in our bodies, made from estrogens. In contrast, the hormones used in traditional therapy are synthetically made or derived from the urine of pregnant horses.
Those in favor of bioidentical hormones say that their therapy is natural and identical to the natural hormones produced by the body. But many experts say that BHRT and HRT have similar risks. It is said that compounded by identical hormones can cause even more significant risks.
How to Take BHRT
As mentioned before, BHRT comes in a variety of forms including:
- Injections
- Creams
- Implanted pellets
- Gels
- Patches
You can take advice from your physician about the best form of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy suitable for your body. It is a better decision to get monitored regularly when on this therapy. It will help you track how your body is responding to the therapy. However, FDA suggests avoiding testing the monitoring through blood or saliva tests. It may give you different results throughout the day.
Overall, BHRT is a growing treatment for hormonal imbalance with increasing accessibility. It has several benefits that overweigh the minor risks.
