Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
As discussed in the overview of our 12-step program, the emphasis is on lifestyle of “Youth-Maintenance”. Here is some information about Bio-identical hormone Replacement for women.
I’m too young to need HRT.
The hormonal changes that precipitate menopause begin much earlier than you might think, at times as early as in your thirties.
Peri-menopause (or pre-menopause) can occur at any age – determined largely by genetics and life-style choices.
It is usually associated with an initial slow down in progesterone production. This leads to estrogen dominance with symptoms like weight gain, fatigue, low sexual drive, skin dryness insomnia, PMS, hot flashes, bone loss, vaginal dryness, and memory lapses or “brain fog.”
Use of birth control pills, exposure to environmental toxins in our foods, and chronic stress can also lead to hormonal imbalance.
What are the risks associated with hormonal imbalance?
Women who are actually experiencing hormonal imbalance like during peri- and post-menopause have an increased risk of osteoporosis, night sweats, irritability, decreased libido, thyroid dysfunction, weight gain, infertility (a problem for women who are still of childbearing age), and fatigue. There may also be an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
But aren’t there risks associated with HRT, too?
Yes, there are, and many women have stopped or decided not to take HRT because of the associated risks that have been reported in large studies such as the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) and the Heart and Estrogen/Progestin Replacement Follow-Up Study (HERS-II Study). An increased risk of uterine cancer, heart attacks, breast cancer, deep vein thrombosis, and dementia has been reported in these studies of synthetic hormones such as Premarin and Prempro, both widely prescribed and derived from horse urine.
Given the debilitating symptoms caused by hormonal imbalances and the increased serious health risks associated with HRT, what's a woman to do?
Natural, plant-based Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy may be a good alternative for many women.
What are bioidentical hormones and how can they help?
Bioidentical hormones are hormones that are identical in chemical structure to what your body used to naturally produce before hormonal imbalance. They are plant-based, often derived from soybeans or mexican wild yam root, and the body's response to them is the same as its response to its own naturally-produced hormones, hence the term bioidentical.
Bioidentical HRT can provide effective relief from troubling symptoms related to hormonal imbalance without the disruptive side effects more common with the use of synthetic hormones. Bioidenticals may be able to help in the long-term prevention of degenerative diseases such as osteoporosis, heart disease, and Alzheimer's disease without increasing the risk of cancer, a major concern for women taking synthetic hormones.
What does bioidentical HRT involve and how do I get started?
Because every human being is biochemically unique, a natural hormone-balancing program needs to be individually designed for each woman to be most effective and give the greatest benefit.
Genetics, life style, and individual needs all play a part in determining the best treatment to support and maintain a high quality of life throughout a woman's entire life cycle.
Simple, accurate tests are used to determine the bioavailable hormone (what is usable) in your body and prescribe the precise ratio of single or combination hormones you need to leave you feeling healthier, stronger, and more vibrant . . . at any age.
Have questions about Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy and other aspects of anti-aging medicine? Call us today at 904-224-5000