Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) for females involves the use of hormones that are chemically identical to those naturally produced by the human body. These hormones are designed to replicate the molecular structure of endogenous hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. BHRT can be delivered in various forms, including pills, patches, creams, gels and injections. BHRT is used to alleviate menopausal symptoms in females and help to improve the quality of life. Perimenopause and menopause onset varies among women but typically begins in the 40's, when symptoms of hormonal imbalance and irregular menstrual cycles become more common. BHRT can be tailored to each individuals specific hormonal needs, and is determined after a thorough evaluation of ones specific hormone levels that are analyzed through bloodwork.
What are the benefits of hormone replacement therapy for women?
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Improved Libido and Sexual Health: Usually, the first benefits that a woman on hormone replacement therapy will see are an increased sex drive and improved sexual performance. This is especially true of perimenopausal and menopausal women who are dealing with the loss of libido, vaginal dryness, and other sexual health issues brought on by menopause.
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Increased Energy and Stamina: Hormone replacement therapy increases metabolism, which improves a woman's ability to turn fat into energy and assist with weight loss.
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Increased ability to burn fat and build muscle: HRT not only improves your ability to burn fat, it also improves your ability to build lean muscle.
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Stronger Bones: Hormone replacement helps to maintain bone density and stronger, healthier bones. The drop in hormone levels during menopause can lead to an increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
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Improved Memory & Cognition: Hormone replacement therapy can improve memory, focus and concentration. This is especially true of the brain fog often reported by menopausal women.
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Cardiovascular Health: Post-menopausal women are at a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases, and HRT can help mitigate this risk.
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Urogenital Health: Estrogen helps maintain the health of the urogenital tissues, reducing the risk of urinary incontinence and urinary tract infections.
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Mental Health: Some women experience mood swings, depression, and anxiety during menopause due to fluctuating hormone levels. HRT can help stabilize these mood changes.
Estradiol
At menopause, women's ovaries stop producing estrogen. Estrogen is essential for maintaining strong bones, making women vulnerable to osteoporosis after menopause. Replacing estrogen can be easily achieved through estrogen patches that are applied 1-2 times weekly. Replacing estrogen will help to alleviate common symptoms associated with menopause such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and mood swings.
Progesterone
Progesterone is a female hormone produced by the ovaries. It is responsible for regulating menstrual cycles and balancing esstrogen. Declining progesterone levels during menopause can lead to estrogen dominance, which may cause symptoms such as heavy bleeding, breast tenderness and mood swings. Progesterone also has a calming effect on the brain and helps maintain mood stability and promotes restful sleep. Progesterone is able to be replaced with once daily capsules.
Testosterone
While testosterone is often associated with males, it is still present in females in much lower levels. With menopause, a females natural level of testosterone also declines together with estrogen. Testosterone plays several important roles including it's impact on muscle mass and strength, sex drive, mood and energy levels and cognitive function. Testosterone can be seamlessly replaced with once daily cream application or twice weekly injections.