The Use Of Bioidentical Hormones (BHRT) To Treat Menopause
Everyone should have questions about hormone replacement therapy and Bioidentical Hormones are used to treat the symptoms of menopause, perimenopause and postmenopause. They are different to synthetic hormones as they have the identical chemical structure to the hormones found in the human body, and it is this that is supposed to make them more effective.
As these hormones are derived from natural sources, such as Soybean and Wild Yam, they are completely natural derivatives and this makes them safer and more effective than synthetically manufactured hormones. Every woman has different hormone replacement requirements and as such a cocktail is prescribes which fits the unique need of the patient. Bioidentical Hormones are cheaper to manufacture and their benefits are many.
Each prescription being different, much like reading glasses which may be purchased over the counter, you also get OTC prescriptions of different strengths of these hormones. The strength of BHRT required any one individual is determined by a doctor, based on physical examination and obviously a series of blood tests.
When the doctor conducts these tests he is able to assess the amount of hormone decline in each patient. Thereafter a static dose is administered and this can be tweaked according to need. The best scenario is to find a balance of hormone replacement therapy with mimics the natural manufacture of hormones in the body.
There are a number of ways of introducing BHRT to the body of the patient, static dosing is one and the other is rhythmic cycling and this is a relatively new approach. Rhythmic cycling is meant to imitate the times when a woman is most reproductive. Bioidentical hormones are administered orally, by suppository, injected and applied as a cream.
The reason for hormone replacement therapy has become blatantly obvious in recent times. It has been found that after menopause, women are more at risk of breast cancer, heart attacks and stroke and this is related to the menopausal hormone imbalance. During a woman’s 30’s her hormones are the most balanced and this is when they are most protected against these dread diseases, in particular breast cancer.
Progesterone begins to decline in the late 30’s and about ten years after that comes the decline in estrogens. In particular Estriol (E3) which protects the body from blood clots and protects the breasts. The decrease in production of this hormone is dramatic, as from 80% it drops to 10%. Estrone or E1 increases and this proves to enhance blood clotting and is also carcinogenic to the breasts. HRT is therefore considered to be a preventative measure.
Huge research has been conducted on synthetic hormones, and they have found to weight towards E1 production. They are not able to identically imitate female hormones whereas Bioidentical Hormones can.
If BHRT is commenced within ten years of the onset of menopause, solid conclusions have been reported regarding heart, brain, bones, skin and breast protection. This knowledge tells us that we will live longer and better lives than those before us and this is good news. As we approach old age it is better to be lively, happy and healthy, than in a wheelchair or a victim of premature death.
For the treatment of menopause, enquire about the use of Bioidentical Hormones. Helping with the symptoms that you have a hard time dealing with, and much more!
