A Layman’s Guide To Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy Or BHRT

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Alex Miller Physical Therapist New York, New York

Dr. Alex Miller is a top physical therapist in New York, NY. With a passion for the field and an unwavering commitment to their specialty, Dr. Alex Miller is an expert in changing the lives of their patients for the better. Through their designated cause and expertise in the field, Dr. Alex Miller is a prime example of... more

Hormones are an important part of the body’s messenger system. They send out signals to every part of the body through your bloodstream. This way, they control things like growth, development, mood, body hair, and so much more. Even in the face of extreme danger or excitement, your body comes under the ‘fight or flight’ response because of hormones. 

Bioidentical hormones are the ones created in the lab. They have been designed so the body uses them the same way it uses normal hormones. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can be good for people suffering from hormonal imbalance or those not making enough hormones. Hormonal deficiency is nothing to be worried about with such treatment. 

Bioidentical Hormones

The endocrine glands make hormones. The hormones are then released into the bloodstream so they can be carried to the appropriate body part. There are many functions in the body controlled by hormones. Some of them include: 

  • Metabolism
  • Mood
  • Growth
  • Reproduction
  • Sugar and salt levels in the blood
  • Sexual function 

It is hard for your body to properly function when there is an imbalance of hormones. Hormone imbalance can result in mood swings or weight gain, which can end up affecting your day-to-day life. When the body is not making enough of a given hormone, you can take additional hormonal supplements to overcome the deficiency and remain fully healthy. 

There are many types of human-made hormones available, with bioidentical hormones being one of them. The bioidentical hormone is the closest one to the real hormone, with the least amount of side effects and the highest rates of effectiveness. They are chemically identical to the ones made by the body, which makes it easy for them to be absorbed and put to appropriate use. Bioidentical hormones are manufactured in the labs and come in many different forms. 

Another type of hormone popular in the market is natural hormones. They are derived from natural sources, like soybeans and yams. Don’t let the name fool you. They are a lot of processing involved before being approved by the FDA and allowed into the market. So you can rest assured that the benefits of taking these raw hormones far outweigh eating soybeans or yams right out of hand. These hormones are specifically targeted towards a body's function. 

Hormones can be administered in different forms like creams, pills, gels, and injections. 

Compounded Bioidentical Hormones

Every individual body is unique –hence, it has different needs. This is why you will find some health care practitioners offering compounded or mixed bioidentical hormones. It appeals to many because it blends different hormones tailored to the person. While in theory, this method seems very appealing, it is hard to apply correctly in real life. This method has some risks that must be kept in mind when applying it. 

When blending hormones, there is a saliva sample taken from the person to see the current hormone levels. This determines the best combination. There are many reasons why the method can be unsafe. Obviously, saliva is not going to show the hormone levels in the blood. Custom blends being sold have not been approved by the FDA. They can come with a wide range of hormones and non-hormonal ingredients that have not been tested. 

Compounding pharmacies offer these services. They will mix a blend of hormones. There are some products that might have FDA approval, but the final blend doesn’t. There is still research that needs to be done in the field of compounded bioidentical hormones. 

The Impact of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy on Health

Different people have different reasons for taking replacement hormones. Some take it because of old age or changes in life, like menopause, while others take it because of an illness, like specific types of cancer. Your well-being and health will improve when you start taking hormones that the body no longer makes or doesn’t produce in sufficient quantities. 

The body can go through unpleasant symptoms when there isn’t a proper balance of hormones. You can reduce the symptoms and have a better quality of life by replacing the hormone the body no longer produces with hormone replacement therapy prescribed by a doctor. 

Below are some of the symptoms BHRT can help with:

Risks and Precautions in HRT

While there are many benefits to hormone therapy, there are also some risks involved. People who undergo any hormone therapy -not just BHRT– have to know there is a risk of developing blood clots and gallbladder disease. It can also increase the risk of breast cancer and stroke. Therefore, you must exercise necessary precautions and take your treatment exactly as prescribed by the doctor. 

Just like with any type of hormone therapy, there is an adjustment period when you first start the treatment. There may appear side effects during the first couple of weeks, but they will subside when your body begins to adjust to the new hormone levels. 

Below are some of the side effects that might come up after starting BHRT:

You should first talk with your doctor to know whether BHRT is the right option for you.